Blessington Educate Together National School in conjunction with Duncan Stout have started a Keyhole Garden. Keyhole gardens are a style of garden from the continent of Africa. We believe we are the first school in Ireland to build such a garden

Duncan visited the school on Thursday April 2nd 2009 to begin the first stage of the process. This is the planting of seeds in boxes. The children participated in this, assisted by parents and teachers. A variety of seeds were sown from beans to cress.

Many hands make light work

Duncan spoke about the importance of compost and explained to everyone the correct materials to put in. He also stressed that there were also substances that could ruin a compost heap

Duncan explaining about compost

Duncan also told the children how plants can be propagated by other means. He took some cuttings from a plant he brought in and planted them in two small pots.

Freshly planted cuttings

If your school would like to begin their own Keyhole Garden Project the coordinator Duncan Stout can be contacted at theamazingeggco@eircom.net or through Blessington Educate Together