The Grass Is Greener

After completing their work on the trees, the gardeners proceeded to returf the grass around the front and sides of the building. They also helped us to prepare the planting strip that will be our flower and vegetable garden.

Returfing actually involves quite some work. The top layer of soil that is full of weeds has to be removed, and then the new grass is laid over.

Once that is done, the workers install the fibre edging to separate the turfed area from the planting strip. So now the strip is ready for planting.

Our seedlings experienced a growth spurt over the past few days, and they now seem to be chomping at the bit to be transferred to the planting strip where they can continue with their growth. Sorry guys, you have a wait till our child planters come next week.

These grew pretty well and orderly.

While this bunch appear a little unruly.

The yellow hibiscus that we saw a while back as a flower bud. Look how you've blossomed!

Green shoots of growth

Our pink hibiscus bloomed beautifully today to welcome our very first enrolment to Orion Preschool. It starts to feel like school again when we hear the voices of teachers singing nursery songs and the sounds of children's laughter (and occasional crying).

Like us, our little nursery (pun alert) is also exhibiting some green shoots of growth. Or at least for the kai lan and sunflower seeds. We would obviously like to take credit for it, but it's really just how nature intended seeds to function.

So hopefully the weekend of neglect will not do too much damage to the seedlings, and they will be just about ready when the children visit the week after to help us transfer them into the vegetable patch.

The pink hibiscus bloomed gloriously today. The photo doesn't do justice to the brilliance of the hue, but we'll enjoy it while it lasts. Alas, the impermanence of beauty! 

Fret not. The flower buds of the yellow hibiscus appear to be bursting out of its sepal ring.

Even the Lemon Balm which was admitted to plant ICU showed some green shoots of recovery, after the teachers and aunty trimmed off the dried-up parts. If it is able to pull through this weekend, the prognosis could be positive.

Congratulations, you have a kai lan! Okay, it's not quite as momentous as giving birth, and you have to strain your eyes a little to make out the little shoots, but the kai lan appears to be quite prolific, while only a handful of sunflower seedlings have wriggled their way up to the surface. All is quiet on the chilli front. And the okra (ladies' finger) too. Perhaps Ms Beth covered them too deep in the soil, but they should eventually find their way out.

Green Fingers or Plant Killers?

You can tell that there are probably fewer than 10 green fingers shared amongst the five of us at Orion Preschool, by looking at the condition of our plants. Our initial plan was to keep the plants alive until we can organise a pre-Open House mini-event for our ex-Mothergoose children to help us transfer them into our vegetable garden. This will then symbolise the part that the children have played in helping to set up the new preschool. Oh well, it's on to Plan B then.

Okay, we're really not as incompetent as it looks. Actually the plant was unable to withstand the long weekend without watering, especially during this hot and dry period.

The herbs, like this sweet basil, and another rosemary plant survived the weekend ordeal well.

To hedge our bets, we decided to also grow a few vegetables and flowers from seeds. By the time of the children's mini-event in mid-June, the seeds should have germinated sufficiently so that the children can transfer the seedlings into the ground.

Mrs Poh, who is not known for her interest in gardening, punches holes at the base of the styrofoam box for excess water to drain out.

We got some soil which the nursery claimed was great for fruits and vegetables.

Aunty Chai Fong's husband is an avid gardener, so by association she is acknowledged as our resident expert. Advising the teachers on the intricacies of seed growth.

Ms Wong (henceforth to be called Ms Beth) laying the seeds in tidy rows. When the seedlings appear from the soil, it will be very obvious which box was planted by Mrs Poh.

Our compulsion for labelling everything knows no bounds.

Keep away from our precious plants, you snails!

So children, make a date with us on 15th or 16th June morning (2 dates to choose from). Come and help us to create our vegetable and flower garden at Orion Preschool!