Before planning beds students were asked to group different plant crops according to the families in which they existed. Primarily these were the Brassicas -Cruciferae (cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, radish, swede and turnip); Legumes – Leguminosae (pea, beans, peanuts); Potato – Solanaceae (potato, tomato, aubergine and peppers); Umbellifers – Umbelliferae (carrot, parsnip, parsley, celery, fennel); Daisy – Compositae (lettuce, salsify); Onion – Alliacae (onion, garlic, leek, shallots); Beetroot -Chenopodiaceae (beetroot, Swiss Chard, spinach); Curcubits – Cucurbitaceae (cucumber, courgetti, marrow, squash, pumpkin)  and others that are not related -sweetcorn, maize, asparagus.

They were then asked to find companion crops for their beds and main crops.

Our 11 students were split into five groups. Four pairs and one group of three. Three of the pairs were given two beds (3m x 1m) with the other pair and the group of three students being responsible for three beds.  Groups in charge of three beds have to have at least one Brassica bed.

Students have already planned out their beds with what they want to plant, and will start planting as soon as the fencing is up to protect the plants.

There is a wide variety of crops that are students want to plant, including many of those listed above.   Each student group will write a separate piece about their plots and how their plants are growing. Watch this space!