1. We planted lots of ephemerals in the woods with most of the K-3 classes and a couple of the upper grade classes as well. Mostly, the kids planted bluebells, but there were a few bloodroot and wild ginger plants in the mix.
(We also have a burdock problem, but that is unfortunately not as easy to remove as garlic mustard and jewelweed so the students aren't really participating in its removal.)
3. Last week, all the second and third graders spent a whole day and night camping at the MMSD school forest. There were games, hikes, grilled hot dogs, campfire with s'mores, a whole lot of fun and not a whole lot of sleep. On one of the nature hikes with the second graders, as the naturalist held forth for several minutes about tree bark, several of the kids spotted a patch of garlic mustard and wandered over to pull it up. I think our nature guide was a little perturbed that the kids were pulling weeds instead of listening to him, but I was secretly proud. By this point, pulling garlic mustard is a reflex for a lot of Crestwood students! It's a sign we're doing something right, wouldn't you agree?
5. The K/1 salad garden is growing nice and green. Hopefully next week in between field trips and end-of-school-year activities the kids can harvest spinach, lettuce and radishes for an all-school snack!
Cheers,
Susan