The pH of different soils - Why it matters!

This week we have had 2 visitors to Seeds R us.  Part of our job is to be able to assess problems and work out how to solve them for the land owner.  Mr Wiliams (aka James) taught us about different grasses and fertilisers.

                      Urea - Nitrogen                    Super Phosphate                      Sulphur

Why do we use them and how do they work?  He mentioned this term pH - the potential of Hydrogen.

Different soils and plants like different pH's.  Some are acidic and some are basic.  Wow - what does this mean?

What an array of colours in the different soils.  Which ones are neutral? 

Sooo Mr Pollock (aka Nick) came in and taught us about soils and where they come from.  We were able to look at them under the microscope and test them for pH - acidity levels.

Mr Pollick AKA Nick is an Agronomist.  Here he is talking about different soils!

Why do we need to know this?  Can you comment below what you think this information helps with?

What has Seeds R Us been up to?

Comparing colour charts to make a judgement on Medium or Low Phosphorous. 

"Mary and Bob" Interviewing Seeds R Us employees about the safety witnessed on our farm trip!

Being Interviewed by Government officials on farm health and safety. 

Interviews on farm safety. 

A tough interviewer - Charlie made sure he got honesty buy asking questions carefully. 

Microscope work!  Hunting for nodules on the clover. 

Seeing clover nodules with our new microscope. 

Plantain seed germinating and close up of Sub clover and the hairy leaves! 

Germination test to see the percentage of geminating seeds. 

Measuring the growth rate! 

Whangara Farm B5 Station Agronomist visit

Our second farm study was a huge success despite the weather!  It was cold but the rain held off till we were back at school!  Whangara is a hive of activity for research!  They study everything they can!  From the weather and soil temperatures to grass growth rate, seed trials and drought resistance, erosion control and pole nurseries to breeds of sheep  - merino cross!  What an adventure.  

I really enjoyed seeing the pole nursery and how that worked with cutting off the branches and ramming them into the ground.  Evidently they just grow - put down a root and off they go!  Amazing.  No chemicals needed!  A really sustainable and cheap way of helping the environment.  It was a pleasure to see Kaitiakitanga in action.  

The seed trials were interesting and gave us some great tips for how to measure our own trials but cutting and weighing.  We also found out a great germination test to have a go at!  

Work work work!  So much to carry on with now! 

Matariki 2018

Matariki - Papa Pura

Ko Matariki te timatanga o te tau

Ko Matariki te hurihanga o te tau

Ko Matariki he taonga toku iho

Ko Matariki he tohu kotahitanga e   e e

Tuturu whakamaua kia tina    TINA

Haumi e,  hui e, taiki e

The beginning of the year

The changing of the seasons

A treasure to be passed down

A sign to be together

This is Matariki

Our whole school had a rotation around 6 activities to do with art, taonga and being together.  At lunchtime we had a Hakari - feast to celebrate in the sharing of food.  Matariki is a time to share stories, be together and pass on traditions.  Every year we learn about what this means and reflect on how it feels to remember our culture in this way.  

A fun day!  Thanks Mrs McPherson for organising our groups!  Thanks all the teachers for fun activities to help us learn by doing!