Below is an extract from the Nailsea School’s July Newsletter describing our work with them to help students build large planters in their courtyard.
Nailsea School is lucky to have a large south-facing courtyard that backs onto the school field. During an audit of the biodiversity of the school site it was noted that this area has lots of potential but until recently only had one raised bed with a tree and weeds growing in it. Tutor groups completed a survey about how they would like to see the area improved, with suggestions of adding planters, bird boxes and bug hotels, water features etc. The makeover of The Courtyard area will be a long term project, but we started by cutting back the overhanging wisteria and pruning the roses on the existing pergola. Using some funding from the Nailsea Horticultural Society we add flowers such as lavender, salvia and yellow daisies to the central raised bed. Due to a limited budget we decided to make our own planters, rather than buying them ready made. We bought the wood from the local company, Fountain Timber, who also kindly donated four pallets that we painted in the four house colours. The plan is for the pallets to be turned into wall-hung planters to create a ‘green wall’ for growing strawberries and other small plants.
Another local community group, The Nailsea Shedders, helped to design the planters, pre-cut the wood to size and then pre-drill the holes. This meant that pupils were able to quickly assemble two planters in one morning under their expert supervision. Students enjoyed using the power tools and seeing the planters take shape. The 2 planters have now been painted yellow (Phoenix House) and blue (Unicorn House) and are being filled with compost and plants. We hope to make the remaining two more planters next year for Griffin and Dragon house when more funds can be raised to cover the cost of the timber
For full article and photos read page 10 of the Nailsea School Newsletter – Click here.
