Classes started tomatoes, peppers and basil from seed, and some of them were planted outside this morning. We set the kids to work pulling weeds before we let them put the seedlings in, and that was a huge success.
Cheers,
Susan
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There are seven days of school left, and between all the end-of-year field trips and Fifth Grade Recognition, it's a challenge getting all the kids outside to plant the summer gardens. I feel like I've got one eye on the calendar and the other on the weather forecast at all times. Here's a rundown of what's going in the ground: Do you remember the mini-greenhouses we built with some of the 2nd graders? No? Well, let me fill you in! In late April, students from Ms. Curtin and Mrs. Ladopoulos's classes repurposed plastic milk jugs into mini-greenhouses and planted cucumbers in them. They were left outside in the wagon so the seeds could harden off and germinate and by last week, those suckers were practically growing out the tops of the jugs. I'm so convinced of this method of starting seeds that I hope to repeat it with many more students next year. My favorite part was pulling the duct tape off the jugs (the duct tape seals up the sides to protect seedlings against cold air and drying out), opening them up, and watching the kids' reaction when they saw how big their cucumber plants had grown. Here you see the bulb circle all ready for some new plants. The tall green plants in the middle are garlic, and the quadrant sections all around were filled with red tulips blooming just after our last snow in April. Those bulbs were planted by the second graders last fall, and now most of the bulb flowers have died back (only a few iris remain), it's the first graders' turn to plant flowers. We are trying to make rainbow garden, but you know how it goes with best laid plans...some of the seeds we started indoors failed to thrive so we're making due with sowing the rest of the seeds outside and hoping for the best. Something will be blooming there come August, but I can't guarantee the colors will be in the right order. Third graders are planting a snack garden. Or rather, I should say third graders are planting snack plants all around the garden! We're using the space between all the rows of peas the best we can...the Crestwood garden plots are very much community spaces. Classes started tomatoes, peppers and basil from seed, and some of them were planted outside this morning. We set the kids to work pulling weeds before we let them put the seedlings in, and that was a huge success. Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow morning, and I have to admit I'm grateful, not only so the new plants get a little drink, but also because all the planting and outdoor activities leave little time for anything else! A bit of a break will be nice.
Cheers, Susan
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August 2017
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