Friday, April 3, 2009

School Garden in Springtime



Things are finally getting going in our greenhouse at the school. The trough that we installed isn't ready for planting yet, but it makes a good shelf. Most of the puny seeds I started at home weren't very strong, so I started a couple new trays here. I'm growing Tomatoes (Purple Cherokee and Celebrity), Soybeans, Bush beans, Milkweed, Basil (Purple Opal), Broccoli, Peppers (Carmen and Diamond Bell), and Morning Glories. Some of these will be donated to the school and some will go home with me later on.



Water is siphoned off the roof into this barrel and used to water the greenhouse.





The outdoor classroom.

We were thrilled to see that the apple tree planted with last year's 4th grade class is getting leaves on it. (Our previous apple tree failed, so this is a big victory!) I need to do some research and figure out how to prune it.

A pretty catkin from our pussywillow tree.



A pair of ducks nest here evey year. We think it might be the same couple.


Strawberry patch needs some work - it has no where to stretch out without running into weeds.

One of the fourth grade teachers has started a gardening club!

I hope I get to plant with some of the classes here soon!

15 comments:

tut-tut said...

I am in AWE of this school gardening project.

L's school has a duck pair that returns every year, so it's likely that the same is true at yours.

Happy weekend!

our friend Ben said...

Wow, what a fabulous setup, Jen!!! Lucky, lucky school! And oh, my, that portrait of the Obamas. Too priceless!

tina said...

What a lovely outdoor classroom. Spring is for gardening and learning too. Happy gardening to you!

Squirrel said...

This is the best school gardening project I've seen in ages and ages. I hope it continues to grow.

Squirrel said...

Q: someone gave me a bunch of plants (all herbs) how soon can I put them in the ground?

dennis said...

Dennis is wondering when he can plant his basil plants outside.

dennis said...

Can Dennis put plants out now with a cloche over them? or is it too soon?

edward said...

Dennis put me in charge of his herbs. i'm growing them on a windowsill. we have those dark pink bleeding hearts blooming outside now! (dicentra?)

Karen said...

Wow, this is really something! I'm so impressed. What is the trough for? How does it not tip over? Is it to increase gardening space or make it so people don't have to bend over to plant/harvest? Cool! What happens to all the summer-fruiting plants? Do you go water and harvest when school's not in session? I'm already worrying a bit about our bamboo, it looked a little dry after a week of spring break... great project!

Karen said...

PS Love those watering cans!

Chiot's Run said...

What a lovely school garden! I would love to have a greenhouse like that here at Chiot's Run. Until then, my cold frame & hoop houses will do.

What lucky kids that go to that school.

Joanne said...

Really, in this day and age when schools seem most concerned with getting the latest computers into the classroom, how very, very fortunate these students are to have such a beautiful gardening center. Kudos to this school and all who keep the garden project going.

wen said...

Great School Garden Project! The kids' school just got a green house - it may be for the h.s. I'm not sure - - now that I'm on the school board I'll be clearer on all that.

By the way - does the school have only one apple tree? If I remember correctly we had trouble (my household) with pollination when we only had one apple tree - we have 2 different types now, but we get many more apples - coincidence? dont' really know.

JGH said...

Dennis, it looks like it's finally going to warm up at the end of this week. Might be okay to put them out this weekend!! (Crossing fingers, of course) I think our last frost date is supposed to be at the end of the month.

Karen, the trough is supposed to make it easier for the kids to plant at arms reach and save on seed starting materials,etc. Sadly, the summer harvest is a problem. We manage to get some, but a lot of the bounty is wasted. Sometimes we do set up a watering schedule and take turns going over there to do maintenance. It could be a lot more organized than it is!

JGH said...

Wen, we have a grafted tree of three varieties that is supposedly self- pollinating. I got it from a mail order nursery. I do wonder if it will work. There are some apple trees nearby, but probably not near enough.