Katoomba North Primary School Plants Potatoes

Recently the students of class 2/3 at Katoomba North Primary School planted a potato bed 30 metres long!

Some potatoes were buried and others were planted using the no-dig method.  The students also took home clumps of various mints from the garden to plant at home.

Since April when the same class planted beans and kale, the students have eagerly watched the changes and growth in their crop.  Volunteers from the North Katoomba Community Gardens provided an outdoor activity for the students on growing food.  The students are also learning about what grows well according to the seasons.  The students plan to plant pumpkins and corn later in the year and will harvest the potatoes early in the New Year. 

The Nicola and Sebago potatoes were donated by the Blue Mountains Food Co-op and were perfect for planting. The soil was provided by Blue Mountains City Council and the NSW Government Water for Life program. Feel free to wander through the gardens anytime of the week.  Pull out a weed and take home some vegetables and fruit when they are ready.  You can find the Blue Mountains Organic Community Gardens at Victoria Sreet, Katoomba or check out the website for ongoing activities www.bluemountainscommunitygardens.org

Family activity - help your children plant seeded potatoes at home. Place a little soil and straw at the bottom of a pot or old bin and add seed potatoes. Keep your potatoes well watered and continue to cover 70% of the stems and leaves with more soil and straw until the pot is filled. You will be amazed how many potatoes you get.  The potatoes will be ready when the stems have died down (approx 4 months).