Pupils head to country for a day of learning; Excited youngsters get to try hands at rural events

Byline: DAVE BLACK

If you wish to add water retention material to your soil mixes, the time to do this would be before you dampen the soil either in the wheelbarrow or in the container itself. There are also slow release fertilizers available, the best time to add these granules would be before dampening the soil mix as well.Lynda Edwards, a reception class teacher, said: "We are absolutely delighted that the donation from P&G has allowed us to transform the patch of land into a useful storage unit for our equipment.COUNTRY LIFE Left, Emma Palmer and Jay Armstrong and, right, Alisha Bradshaw with a 1915 tractor FUNTIME Pupils from Shanklea Primary School in Cramlington enjoy the countryside in Wooler, NorthumberlandHUNDREDS of Tyneside youngsters left their classrooms behind for a day out with a difference in the countryside.Thirdly, and this is what we cal the �in-the-bag method�, carry the bag of potting soil to your containers. Cut a hole in the top of the bag for your hose and also in the bottom of the bag to let out the excess water. Then place the hose in the bag and run the water through. Once the soil is very damp, leave the bag overnight to ensure that the water is all absorbed before you will your pots. Then open the bag, stir the soil and gently water again if it has dried out before use.Free to schools, the event brings in children from rural and urban backgrounds and teaches them about the contribution which farming and rural activities make to everyone's lives.The giant, outdoor classroom also included its own purpose-built and fullystocked allotment."We used to have to take the equipment off site every night to keep it safe, but now we can store it at the school.Regular fertilizing is a must especially in plant-packed containers. All of your material is fighting for those nutrients. Feed your containers at least once a week with water soluble balanced fertilizer or every time you water.They were given lessons about the growing of crops and the rearing of livestock which they eat in their daily diets - as well as meeting those involved at the sharp end of the production process.There are a few methods to ensure that the potting soil is pre-moistened and ready for your planters. Firstly, this one we call the wheelbarrow method. Place all of your potting mix into the garden cart and then add plenty of water. With your trowel or spade, make sure that the soil is very moist. You can tell when you can make a fist with the soil and it will hold its shape. The soil will then be a dark brown in color and this rich, moist soil is ready for your containers.Highlights for the excited primary school pupils included trying their hand at dry stone walling, poultry plucking and butchery.The money has been used to transform a patch of derelict land adjacent to the school into a small garden with dedicated storage units to house the school's wheelbarrows, gardening tools and outdoor play equipment.

COUNTRY LIFE Left, Emma Palmer and Jay Armstrong and, right, Alisha Bradshaw with a 1915 tractor FUNTIME Pupils from Shanklea Primary School in Cramlington enjoy the countryside in Wooler, Northumberland