Gerda played by Sarah Smart
Unlike my stateside sister and her family, who are waistdeep in snowdrifts at present, I can spot signs of Spring all around. The birds are happily house hunting and carrying out home improvements before moving in and it looks like my front garden daffs will be blooming in time for St David’s Day. Even the rain couldn’t spoil Half Term week, which means ‘showtime’ around here.
Last week the whole family were involved in a production of The Snow Queen, helping to transport the good folk of Bradford on Avon to the frozen North for a final showdown between the evil ice maiden and gutsy Gerda whose hope and faithful love – symbolised by a rose which bloomed in the depths of Winter – won the day. Toasted buns also featured prominently. I’d never refuse one of those.
As you know, I’m not one for flowers which bloom out of season but I like the idea of something good being symbolised by a flower. And so I am declaring this week Flower Patch Week.
There are three good reasons for this.
- Sara and I launch our new business later today. Our Flower Patch will help primary schools and pre schools teach the new National Curriculum in a practical, hands-on way by growing cut flowers for sale. It’s true that any subject can be taught in the garden and you get to sell the product of your labours. Win. Win. Do check out the website and see what you think. Pass the information on to any primary school you know of.
- Our good friend and twitterchum Lou publishes her new book The Cut Flower Patch on March 6th to help and encourage allotment holders and gardeners grow cutting patches of their own.
- My new class at Fitzmaurice Primary have declared themselves up for the challenge of running a successful flower growing business in the school grounds.
And so, to celebrate Flower Patch Week I’d like you all to toast a bun or two and commit EITHER to tweeting pictures of last year’s cut flower successes OR to growing some cut flowers this year. In the case of intentions, tweet pics of what you’d like to grow. Advice and encouragement is on hand from myself, Sara and Lou. And you’ll be doing oodles for biodiversity, low flower miles, seasonality and the availability of british flowers.
Come on and celebrate Flower Patch Week with a flowery tweet to me @countrygate or @ourflowerpatch.
Postcards from the Plot 
Reblogged this on Country Gate Gardens.
First time reading your blog, wonderful thank you so much, will also be forwarding some of your ideas to my daughter who is a primary school teacher. Looking forward to reading more over the coming months.
Thankyou. Do tell your daughter about http://www.ourflowerpatch.co.uk. We want to encourage as many schools as possible to grow flowers. Ticking those National Curriculum boxes, fundraisng for the school, improving the school grounds and getting your childen to run a little business has to be good news for teachers. 🙂
Having had the drip, drip, drip influence of #britishflowers for a year, I’d promised myself to grow some cut flowers in 2014. I now have a review copy of Louise’s book, so I have absolutely no excuse for not doing so 🙂
No excuse at all now Michelle.Looking forward to seeing those blooms. 🙂
I’ve been reading “wellywoman’s” post about Our Flower Patch, and thought I’d come for a look! I too have a copy of her book which I received today and am looking forward to reading. I’m intrigued by the idea of your new business, and want to wish you both well! I hope to keep up with your progress.
I’m sure you’ll enjoy Lou’s book. We’ll be sure to keep you updated about turning Britain’s schools flowery and encouraging butterflies and bees. I’m sure a lot of good will be done in those school flower patches.
Congrats on launching Our Flower Patch. I feel a swing towards flowers in recent times, rather than just veg.
Thankyou. It’s the start of a whole new era for local seasonal flowers in Britain and we want to help make it happen from the little ones up. 🙂