Mapping the Garden
Posted by Mary Curran
In early May, third and fourth graders were challenged to use a map to record plants growing in the Unquowa Garden. They identified over 40 varieties of vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs. Students enjoyed smelling herbs in our “tea” garden by rubbing their fingers on the leaves of lemon balm, chocolate mint and lavender. Come tour our garden. There are raised beds of sugar snap peas, purple pac choi, Easter egg radishes and yellow wax beans. In addition, there are many varieties of flowers including snapdragons, sunflowers, nasturtium and French marigolds.
Heirloom Lettuce
Posted by Mary Curran
In Environmental Science, fourth graders researched heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables. They learned that heirlooms can be hundreds of years of years old, often have interesting stories or histories and are considered by many to have a superior taste, color and smell. In conjunction with their study of heirlooms, fourth graders started Grandpa Admire’s lettuce from seed in March and transplanted it along with several other varieties in the Unquowa Garden when they returned from spring break. We have been enjoying delicious salads prepared by Chef Jess from lettuce harvested by our fourth graders!
One Potato, Two Potato, Three Potato, More!
Posted by Mary Curran
After reading Two Old Potatoes and Me by John Coy, second graders planted Red Norland potato seed pieces in growing bags partially filled with a mixture of soil and compost. They learned that potatoes are tubers and have eyes that sprout into stems. Students will be looking for signs of growth and adding soil as the potatoes grow. Second graders also enjoyed exploring the garden, observing early signs of sugar snap peas and sampling chives from one of the herb beds.
Busy In the Garden!
Posted by Mary Curran
PreK-4 students learned that root vegetables like carrots, beets and radishes can be planted in early spring. After reading Plants Feed Me by Lizzy Rockwell, they headed out to the garden to plant Easter egg radishes in a raised bed along side Sugar Ann peas and parsley. Students also filled newspaper pots with potting soil and planted edible nasturtium flowers which they will be observing in their classroom. PreK-4 is looking forward to harvesting and sampling colorful Easter egg radishes in May!
First Graders Plant Peas & Design Gardens
Posted by Mary Curran
First graders planted Sugar Ann peas in the Unquowa Garden and in pots made from recycled newspapers. Students learned which vegetables thrive in the cooler temperatures of early spring and planned square foot gardens choosing their favorite vegetables, fruits and herbs. Square foot gardening is a method that helps gardeners determine how much space a plant needs. Thank you first graders for your creative garden designs and for being the first class to plant in our garden. We are looking forward to harvesting peas in May!
A Busy Spring in the Garden
Posted by Mary Curran
Spring has been a busy time in the Unquowa garden. PreK-3 learned that beans can be green, yellow and purple and planted seeds in recycled newspaper cups and in the garden. PreK-4 planted and harvested Easter egg and French Breakfast radishes. Kindergartners learned that flowers attract pollinators and planted marigolds from seeds that they collected in September. They also transplanted snapdragons in a new raised bed in our garden. In addition, 1st through 5th graders planted heirloom tomatoes, basil, Sugar Ann peas, cucumbers, purple haze and Nelson carrots, and heirloom lettuces. Thank you student volunteers who have been busy harvesting lettuce, arugula, radishes and a variety of herbs for the dining room!