Indian Water Jugs

Despite the grey and chilly weather, Turtle and Moon was busy on Saturday February 27. Eight children showed up for the afternoon recycling workshop: creating Indian water jugs from milk cartons, plastic cups and papier-mache. Lise had made an example for us all to see and talked us through the construction steps.

First we cut the cartons and stuffed enough newspaper inside to support two plastic glasses. Then we taped the cups securely into the cartons, made handles from twisted pipe-cleaners and tape, and covered the construction with strips of glue-soaked newspaper. This was the first part of a two-part workshop: a fortnight from now, when the glue has had time to dry, the children will be decorating their jugs.

After tea and biscuits, we played outside, explored the garden and experimented with weaving.

Gardening Workshop

Wednesday, February 17, saw six of us (and a baby!) gathering at Turtle and Moon for the early spring Organic Principles for Backyard Gardeners workshop. Rachael started these workshops last year, using the studio garden as a tool to make clean vegetable growing accessible to all, and so far they have been a great success.

Wednesday’s topics were starting seeds for summer vegetables, and the construction of a herb spiral – a permaculture concept that uses a spiral design to create the different microclimates favoured by a variety of herbs.

We started with a discussion on summer fruit and veg – which are propagated from seed and which from seedlings, and why. Then moved on to talk about the difference between hybrid and heirloom varieties – and why saving and planting the seeds from the delicious pepper or mango that you bought at the shop might not result in a plant of the same type.

Rachael had brought the boxes that she uses for seed starting, as well as a supply of newspaper (to line the boxes) and compost (as a seedbed), and a variety of seeds that grow well during Cyprus’ warmer months, and everyone set to work selecting and planting the seeds that they would like to see growing in their own gardens over the coming months. Eggplant, pepper, cherry tomato, water melon, sweet melon, beans, and strawberries were all on the table. As the seedlings grow, Rachael will be available to help with advice for transplanting.

After coffee we moved out to the clear area beyond the wall where Lise had decided to site the herb spiral. After laying a thick mat of cardboard about 2 metres square, we drew a spiral, then laid cinderblocks and rocks, building the spiral to a central summit. We filled the inside with layers of soil, goat manure, and straw, then bedded the plants into their new homes. Thuli (lemon geranium) is the centrepiece, and the sunny southern face hosts rosemary, lavender, and oregano. Sage and a rather succulent thyme occupy each side, and you'll find the chives, parsley and mint – planted in it’s pot and a larger enclosing bucket to discourage rampant suckers -- on the cooler northern side. There were no basil plantsat the nursery, so we made a little seedbed and planted some basil genovese for summer pesto.


























By noon the work was finished, and the final half-hour of the workshop passed in an informal question and answer session, exchanges of addresses and emails, and brainstorming for topics for the next workshop.



If you haven’t tried one of our gardening workshops, watch this space for announcements for the next one.

Bird Feeders From Milk Cartons

Saturday February 13th saw the second in a series of six recycling workshop for children under the auspices of the Art and Wild Nature Foundation at Turtle and Moon. It was a peaceful workshop: most of the Paphos action that day was focused in town where the annual Carnival Parade was pounding the streets, but the six children and two adults who met at the studio were happy with the unaccustomed quiet.



We had gathered to turn milk cartons into bird feeders. Lise showed the children the example, and got out the acrylic paints, and as soon as everyone had chosen their colours, they got to work. When the paint was dry, Lise cut holes in the cartons with a craft knife, punched dowels through to act as perches, and attached wire hangers. The children decorated their feeders with coloured decorations, filled them with sunflower seeds, and hung them on the nearby trees.