Term 4 Week 3: Let the tree planting begin!

Last Friday our fabulous fruit trees finally arrived. 

Here is what we have got to plant:

· A 'Sweet Perfection' peach

· A 'Queen Giant' nectarine

· A 'Fantasia' nectarine

· A 'Pacific Rose' apple

· A 'Trevatt' apricot

· A 'Tomcot' apricot

· A 'Scarlet Ohara' peach

· A 'Royal Gala Dwarf' apple (not very PC I know but...)

· A 'Newhall' orange

· A 'Best Seedless' orange

· A 'Harwood Late' orange

· and 2 'Encore' mandarins

Liam and Bella from Room 7 were the first to help Mr Gilions plant one. They planted the Queen Giant Nectarine outside Room 7. But first they had to did the hole which was really hard work!

So hard in fact, that Mr Gillions had to help!

Next, they put water in the hole to soften the soil.

After that, they put in some nice compost for the fruit tree which is softer than the soil around it and easier for it's roots to grow into.

Bella took the bag off the tree and Mr Gillions helped them to 'tickle the roots' to loosen them up a little bit after growing tightly in the bag for so long.

When they put it in the hole they put a wooden stake next to it to help support it until it is bigger and stronger. Mr Gillions tied the tree to it with some soft stretchy fabric.

Then it was time to fill in the hole!

Next it was Room 9's turn to plant their fruit tree outside their room where Mr Gillions has just cut down the dead kowhai that was there.

The boys enjoyed hammering in the stake!

Once they had finished they put some more nice compost around the base of the tree.

Then they watered it. It needs to be watered daily at first...

Great job boys!

Here is Tyesha with the tree she helped plant in front of Room 8.

Here are some more of our fabulous fruit trees awaiting planting. Mr Gillions will get some more classes to help him plant them next week.