You might think that things would quieten down over the winter. Not so! The greenhouse has been a hive of industry. We have changed the way we work to get the most of our time:

• Mondays – pallet wrecking, de-nailing, and construction work.
• Tuesdays & Wednesdays – seed sowing and plant care in the greenhouse.
• Thursdays – Mrs Bolt is leading a group of members keen on country crafts, including scarecrow making!
• Fridays – day off.

We are limiting the numbers each day to eight per adult, as recommended by the RHS. Smaller groups will make it easier to plan and execute the many projects we have in mind.

We have nursed 100 pots of Tete-a-Tete Narcissi and 20 pots of Hyacinths in the greenhouse, for the last two months. They should flower in the next six weeks, ready for us to sell.

We have sown dozens of pots of eleven types of herb. In six to eight weeks we hope to supply the cookery class kitchens. As we get into spring, more and more seeds will be started off under cover.

Our members have spent long hours processing old wooden pallets into usable planks. These are now being made into large cold frames, which will be placed next to the entrance of our allotment site. We will soon be able to properly harden off our young plants, releasing space in the greenhouse to plant even more seeds.

The club has entered the school into the ‘Use The Plot’ competition organised by ‘Edible Essex’. The entrants have to devise a project, with a budget of £500. The task is to benefit the school and community by growing food in the garden. Our project is to build a 28ft by 14ft Polytunnel alongside our fenced allotment plot. The winners get to implement their project. Here’s hoping!

Steve Pittuck, our adult organiser, has been asked to speak at the AGM of ‘Halstead In Bloom’. They want to hear more about our gardening club and our plans for the future.

The Gardening Club is keen to welcome new members, both students and staff. Volunteers from the community are also much appreciated, especially if they can give us the benefit of their gardening experience.  It is going to be an exciting time, building on the success of last year!