The Potato - An Práta - Solanum Tuberosum
The potato is the biggest selling vegetable in Ireland. It originated in South America and was introduced to Ireland by Sir Walter Raleigh. By 1845 huge amounts of potatoes were grown in Ireland, and much of the population depended on the potato for food. Blight destroyed most of the potato crop in 1845 and in the following five years. Over this period one million people died of starvation and disease and another one million people emigrated.
The boys of Ms Dolan's fifth class, under the direction of Ms Callaly, planted two varieties of early season potatoes - Home Guard and Desiree. These seed potatoes need air, light and water to survive. Pupils will look after these potatoes over the next few months watering and weeding them. Pupils have also planted potatoes in three pots. This is a control group. One pot will not be watered, another pot will have no light, and the third pot will have no air. Pupils will compare the progress of the tended potatoes against the progress of the control group.
The potato is the biggest selling vegetable in Ireland. It originated in South America and was introduced to Ireland by Sir Walter Raleigh. By 1845 huge amounts of potatoes were grown in Ireland, and much of the population depended on the potato for food. Blight destroyed most of the potato crop in 1845 and in the following five years. Over this period one million people died of starvation and disease and another one million people emigrated.
The boys of Ms Dolan's fifth class, under the direction of Ms Callaly, planted two varieties of early season potatoes - Home Guard and Desiree. These seed potatoes need air, light and water to survive. Pupils will look after these potatoes over the next few months watering and weeding them. Pupils have also planted potatoes in three pots. This is a control group. One pot will not be watered, another pot will have no light, and the third pot will have no air. Pupils will compare the progress of the tended potatoes against the progress of the control group.
Cabbage - Cabáiste - Brassica Oleracea and Curly Kale - Cál Catach - Brassica Oleracea
Cabbage is a very popular vegetable in Ireland and is traditionally eaten with bacon. Curly Kale is not so commonly used but is easily to grow. Pupils, under the guidance of Ms Callaly,have planted these vegetables a special bed. For the next few months they will look after and care for these vegetables in order to learn about sustainability and to see how easy these vegetables are to grow.
Cabbage is a very popular vegetable in Ireland and is traditionally eaten with bacon. Curly Kale is not so commonly used but is easily to grow. Pupils, under the guidance of Ms Callaly,have planted these vegetables a special bed. For the next few months they will look after and care for these vegetables in order to learn about sustainability and to see how easy these vegetables are to grow.