I admit to finding it very difficult to don my waterproof coat and head off to the allotment when it is blowing a gale or very cold. I worry that I am indeed a bit of a wimpy gardener, a fair weather one.
So it should come as no surprise that this year I’ve decided not to continue running the school gardening club to the bitter end of term, like I have during every term, and finished this week. Yes, in November.
There are, of course, many reasons for this. Some are personal and some practical. For instance I am this year feeling a bit overwhelmed in general. I am working more (even if it is from home and in a very light, flexible way but it is still work) and I have Christmas concerts, fairs and plays coming out of my ears. To say I am worried that I’ll forget to watch one of the children in an all-important something is an understatement.
This is also the first winter the club has run after school for an hour. Previously it has always been in lunchtime and for about 40 minutes. Well, 30 minutes, sometimes even 20, by the time the slow eaters have slowly eaten and found their wellies.
That meant the activities used to take a few weeks to do rather than just a couple. Plus it’s getting dark earlier and it is cold out in our small garden. I know the footballers gamely carry on but they have the advantage of chasing a white ball. Seed sowing at dusk when cold fingers are not co-operating is harder.
Not only have I decided to finish early but we’re not restarting until after February half-term. I guiltily admit I am quite looking forward to having my Wednesday afternoons back for a while.
We could obviously decamp inside to do some worthy gardening activity and indeed have spent much of this half-term doing exactly that. We have drawn plans for spring gardens, made leaf mobiles, planted a mini garden with grass seed and worked on our scrapbooks.
However, I’m aware that I’m no teacher and some of the children are reluctant to do much work involving pencils. We also have all ages from across the school so finding something they can all engage in is tricky.
There are, I know, countless activities on the internet. I have still got some up my sleeve as no doubt February and March will see some rain. Does this all sound like I’m running out of steam? I’m afraid it does but I’m hoping I’m not.
Maybe come the spring I shall have more bounce in my step as I walk towards the school clutching plants or seed packets. Until then I think the soil in which I grow my ideas and enthusiasm for the club, and gardening in general, needs feeding. Any ideas welcome!
