Putting the Garden to Bed
Posted by Mary FaulknerAs one season ends and another begins, we notice that nature, in her own way, prepares herself. Leaves fall from trees, animals prepare for long cold winters by storing food and preparing dens, and we humans too, do many things as well to prepare. For people with gardens, one of those tasks is putting the garden to bed. PEL fellows Abby, Sarah and Michael led our fifth graders in that same task here at Unquowa. First, the fellows led students in a brainstorming discussion on why it is necessary to put a garden to bed. The students discussed the difference between annuals and perennials, why it is important to pull some plants and leave others and the importance of putting trellises and stakes away for use the following spring. Students were then led outside where they were put into assigned groups to complete different tasks. From clearing out beds, gathering the last of the harvest of vegetables and herbs for the kitchen, spreading compost for fall planting and gathering seeds for investigations and spring plantings, there were no idle hands. The students where excited and worked with enthusiasm, knowing all their hard work would lead to another great harvest next season! Thanks our PEL fellows and the fifth grade students for a job well done!
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