Overall we had a great time dedicating a whole lesson to just bugs! Now we know which bugs are pests and which ones are the best! (for the garden in this case)
Blog post by: Bella Wong
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Where are all the Garden Bugs?!
In one of the lessons while working in the Edible Peace Patch we decided to focus on bugs that can be found in the garden! We learned that there are helpful insects and also harmful insects that live in our garden. So for this lesson we decided to go searching for them! We found a wide variety of different insects. These ranged from worms, spiders, rolly pollies, and lizards!
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Productivity is Blossoming!
Within a few weeks of the gardening period, we have seen some rewarding changes in the garden! Many of the crops have turned out well and are growing abundantly. Such as our lovely bell peppers and okra.
Along with these crops, the kale plant seemed to be the crowd pleaser for many of the kids! Besides the cool, intricate, ruffle designs of the leaves, the thing that seemed to get the kids really excited about eating kale is due to the fact that they are very nutritious! We all took a taste test of this unique looking plant.
With change and productivity sprouting in the garden, the kids and volunteers have felt even more encouraged to work harder to maintain the garden and reap the benefits of a successful garden through great teamwork! There is still many things to do towards creating our ideal garden and with our teamwork, we are surely going to get there!
Children weeding
Volunteers watering
Blog post by: Bella Wong
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Lakewood Elementary Service Day!
http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp1843936.jsp
Join us in spending the morning in our Lakewood Elementary schoolyard garden. The Junior League of St. Pete will be lending a big helping hand for this Service Day!
Saturday November 15th 2014 9AM-1PM
We take this time to catch up on garden maintenance and to finish larger projects so that our gardens are ready for the students who come out weekly to learn and explore.
Morning refreshments are provided.
Bring along your family, friends, and your gardening tools!
p.s. Bring along your compost-ables to donate to our compost bins(veggie and fruit scraps, oak leaves, coffee grounds, tea bags, BUT NO MEAT or DAIRY, please)!
Keep an eye out for the addition of November and December service days!
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Growth & Good Times
The garden here at Fairmount Park has really started to blossom. Some okra and some peppers have been coming along quite nicely.
The banana plants are continuing to grow steadily. As well as everything planted so far in the garden.
The garden is not full yet, but with the additional of more seeds, that would have been planted last week if not for the stormy weather, it should looking even more lively soon.
Today, we did the lesson about bugs in the garden. Just about every kid was happy to get there hands dirty to search for insects. With a group effort we had caught multiple centipedes and spiders along with some other insects. We even caught a lizard! Not really a bug, but still brought enjoyment to both us volunteers and students.
The banana plants are continuing to grow steadily. As well as everything planted so far in the garden.
The garden is not full yet, but with the additional of more seeds, that would have been planted last week if not for the stormy weather, it should looking even more lively soon.
Today, we did the lesson about bugs in the garden. Just about every kid was happy to get there hands dirty to search for insects. With a group effort we had caught multiple centipedes and spiders along with some other insects. We even caught a lizard! Not really a bug, but still brought enjoyment to both us volunteers and students.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
The look on their faces
Unfortunately, the kids were not able to make it out to the garden yesterday at Fairmount Park Elementary School due to the rain. Last week was a great time though, for both me and the children.
I have never worked directly with young ages before this, so I didn't know what to expect when I arrived at the school. I was given a small group that I toured the garden with. We (yes, me too) learned about how plants grew, and where things were in the garden.
Then, we came across the kale bed which was undoubtedly everyone's favorite part of the garden. Interested and anxious, the kids asked me if this weird looking cabbage was okay to eat. I nodded and then continued to split a leaf of kale into enough slices for everyone. To my surprise, the entire group agreed that they liked the strong tasting green. It was such surprise because this was also my first time trying kale, and I didn't like it!
This moment will always stick with me. The excitement and happiness that resulted from something as simple as eating kale, are expressions that I have never seen so pure before. I look forward to teaching other kids about all the different eatable vegetables, and the wonders that come along with them.
I have never worked directly with young ages before this, so I didn't know what to expect when I arrived at the school. I was given a small group that I toured the garden with. We (yes, me too) learned about how plants grew, and where things were in the garden.
Then, we came across the kale bed which was undoubtedly everyone's favorite part of the garden. Interested and anxious, the kids asked me if this weird looking cabbage was okay to eat. I nodded and then continued to split a leaf of kale into enough slices for everyone. To my surprise, the entire group agreed that they liked the strong tasting green. It was such surprise because this was also my first time trying kale, and I didn't like it!
Friday, April 11, 2014
And the growing continues!
The rains over the weekend seriously helped our plants over at the garden and the outburst of growth, flowering, and bugs created excitement for the children that visited us. We spotted a couple ladybugs nestled in the purple bok choy and a little worm hanging out in the damp soil.
This weeks lesson was all about the water cycle!
After explaining water's journey around the world I pulled the garden hose over to the tomato and pepper bed and gave it a good watering, allowing the children to touch the water, feel the wet leaves, and put their hands in the damp soil. This lesson was a very tactile experience which I believe helps children learn and remember the information.
And this week's winning plant is...
The tomato plant!
Our companions are growing so well together and I was amazed at how beautiful the tomato plants were looking. The salad greens and kale are looking quite delicious as well. I was excited to see that the bed containing the three sisters plants (corn, beans, and squash) were starting to take off as well.
Till next time!
-Sam
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Join our Earth Day Workday!
The Edible Peace Patch
Project
invites you to join
our
Earth Day Garden
Workday
Saturday, April 19th
9 am - 1 pm
We'll be meeting at
Campbell Park Elementary,
1051 7th Avenue
South, St. Pete, 33705
Morning refreshments
will be provided.
Bring along your
family and your gardening tools!
See you there!
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