The 2nd Grade Butterfly Garden - newly laid path.
15 Bean Soup Mix- Ms. Wicker's Kindergarten Class.Strawberries = 4K
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Some photos from the Garden - early May
The 2nd Grade Butterfly Garden - newly laid path.15 Bean Soup Mix- Ms. Wicker's Kindergarten Class.Strawberries = 4K
Friday, May 15, 2009
Oh, I wish I had my camera.
Today, as I was waiting on the 5th and 6th grade students, I started working on the Color Garden. At once I was swamped with offers of help. As we worked, a golden brown butterfly came up to visit the Lantana. It was wonderful to see the kids marveling over the length of the proboscis and how the butterfly rolled it up. They discussed the nectar and talked about the proboscis being hollow like a straw -- what a great time! I so wished I had my camera to capture this magical moment.
We purchased two garden wagons this week and boy did they get a work out today. They made hauling dirt, mulch and trash much easier and they are perfectly sized for kids. They tip which makes dumping things a breeze.
Once the 5th and 6th graders arrived things got crazy. They have been testing all week (the PASS test) and were so relieved to be done for the week. I set the 5th grade to weeding a very solid clay spot and they went at it like gangbusters. This will be the shadier side bed flanking the center circle. Powell Hickman planted Lantana in the sunny side bed. Powell and Lynne Merchant were both great at channeling the rambunctious energy into positive progress!! The 6th grade planted a pizza garden. We were able to entrance some of the students with the scent of basil - they planted 3 different kinds. They also planted some oregano and marigolds. I left Lynne planting some other herbs and tomatoes to complete the pizza ingredients.
Now we just need some nice steady rain over the weekend to water everything in!
We purchased two garden wagons this week and boy did they get a work out today. They made hauling dirt, mulch and trash much easier and they are perfectly sized for kids. They tip which makes dumping things a breeze.
Once the 5th and 6th graders arrived things got crazy. They have been testing all week (the PASS test) and were so relieved to be done for the week. I set the 5th grade to weeding a very solid clay spot and they went at it like gangbusters. This will be the shadier side bed flanking the center circle. Powell Hickman planted Lantana in the sunny side bed. Powell and Lynne Merchant were both great at channeling the rambunctious energy into positive progress!! The 6th grade planted a pizza garden. We were able to entrance some of the students with the scent of basil - they planted 3 different kinds. They also planted some oregano and marigolds. I left Lynne planting some other herbs and tomatoes to complete the pizza ingredients.
Now we just need some nice steady rain over the weekend to water everything in!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Rain, rain - thank you!!
This has been the rainiest April/May I can remember. Slowly but surely the beds are taking shape in the garden. The first grade grew a plethora and multitude (!) of flowers from seed - from red carnations, gomphrena and red marigolds (really) through green zinnia to teeny tiny violets. They have the color wheel garden - which is now a rainbow garden - kind of (more later on this). The rain has relieved me from having to go up every day to water, for which I am thankful. Plus, everything looks healthy!!
Although the children have wonderful green thumbs, starting from seed was not perhaps the best way to go since the seedlings are so tiny and fragile and need lots of TLC. Planting out with the first grade was a trip - since a whole class came out at once and I wasn't quite ready. Then we found out we had used the wrong soil and were planting in very thin solid clay, not top soil. On top of that eighteen kids working at once and me not being quite together made for a frantic (but enjoyable) half hour! I think some of the seedlings may have been mixed up so our plan of red, orange, yellow, red, green, blue, indigo and violet may not be intact. Added to this the fact I had a very hard time deciding on blue, indigo and violet. All in all gardener's serendipity will reign and it will be beautiful.
It was wonderful to go out to plant with the first grade and then again with the fourth grade and each time be mobbed by children from other grades. "What are you doing?" "Can we help?" "Can I do that? " From planting seedlings to ferrying soil to top up a bed, I have had numerous willing accomplices. I was extremely impressed when the wheelbarrow broke and some second and third graders (I think) calmly up-ended it and tried to fix it, then when that didn't work they clubbed together to carry it full of soil to our destination!
Two fourth grade classes have begun work on the Columbian Exchange beds. Being a historian by training this garden is close to my heart. Ms. Few's class planted peppers and tomatoes, plants from the New World that revolutionized the cuisine of the Old. Can you imagine life without pizza or spaghetti? Neither was possible without the spread of new world plants to the old world. I would like to start potatoes with them too - before European explorers came to the America's Irish people had never seen a potato! The potatoes in my garden are up so I may have missed the boat on that one!
The second bed in this group is the Native American garden. Since this area in upstate South Carolina was home to the Cherokee they have become the focus of this bed. Karen Hall, a lecturer at Clemson University who specializes in plants and Cherokee culture, has been advising and supporting us. Thank you Karen!! She introduced us to ramps and gave us some flint corn from the Cherokee to plant. We planted corn in hills in the four cardinal directions (NSEW) and less than a week later the corn is up!! Next we'll get beans and pumpkins into the mounds. The third bed will have okra, sesame and indigo - plants that were/are important to African-Americans in South Carolina.
What else to tell you. Since it is spring everything is coming to life. The kindergarten bed has beautiful purple alliums in flower and a purple flowering sage. This week Ms. Wicker's class planted purple allysum and snapdragons in one of the beds. The beans Ms. Wicker's class planted for a science experiment are now flowering!! The 4K strawberries are getting a blush on them - I went by their classroom to tell them and they were very excited!
Although the children have wonderful green thumbs, starting from seed was not perhaps the best way to go since the seedlings are so tiny and fragile and need lots of TLC. Planting out with the first grade was a trip - since a whole class came out at once and I wasn't quite ready. Then we found out we had used the wrong soil and were planting in very thin solid clay, not top soil. On top of that eighteen kids working at once and me not being quite together made for a frantic (but enjoyable) half hour! I think some of the seedlings may have been mixed up so our plan of red, orange, yellow, red, green, blue, indigo and violet may not be intact. Added to this the fact I had a very hard time deciding on blue, indigo and violet. All in all gardener's serendipity will reign and it will be beautiful.
It was wonderful to go out to plant with the first grade and then again with the fourth grade and each time be mobbed by children from other grades. "What are you doing?" "Can we help?" "Can I do that? " From planting seedlings to ferrying soil to top up a bed, I have had numerous willing accomplices. I was extremely impressed when the wheelbarrow broke and some second and third graders (I think) calmly up-ended it and tried to fix it, then when that didn't work they clubbed together to carry it full of soil to our destination!
Two fourth grade classes have begun work on the Columbian Exchange beds. Being a historian by training this garden is close to my heart. Ms. Few's class planted peppers and tomatoes, plants from the New World that revolutionized the cuisine of the Old. Can you imagine life without pizza or spaghetti? Neither was possible without the spread of new world plants to the old world. I would like to start potatoes with them too - before European explorers came to the America's Irish people had never seen a potato! The potatoes in my garden are up so I may have missed the boat on that one!
The second bed in this group is the Native American garden. Since this area in upstate South Carolina was home to the Cherokee they have become the focus of this bed. Karen Hall, a lecturer at Clemson University who specializes in plants and Cherokee culture, has been advising and supporting us. Thank you Karen!! She introduced us to ramps and gave us some flint corn from the Cherokee to plant. We planted corn in hills in the four cardinal directions (NSEW) and less than a week later the corn is up!! Next we'll get beans and pumpkins into the mounds. The third bed will have okra, sesame and indigo - plants that were/are important to African-Americans in South Carolina.
What else to tell you. Since it is spring everything is coming to life. The kindergarten bed has beautiful purple alliums in flower and a purple flowering sage. This week Ms. Wicker's class planted purple allysum and snapdragons in one of the beds. The beans Ms. Wicker's class planted for a science experiment are now flowering!! The 4K strawberries are getting a blush on them - I went by their classroom to tell them and they were very excited!
Monday, April 6, 2009
A school is supported by dedicated families!
Many family groups have helpe
d out in the Memory Garden over the years. I have only witnessed two work days so here's a smattering of family groups from the past work day. Not everyone is here. Just know, everyone who worked was truly appreciated!
To the left: the Liverright family worked very hard. Mom in the background in blue/purple.
The Shaffers:
Left: Josh and Sophie
Right: Soleil helps out with assembling a bird feeder pole.
I love this picture as they puzzle through the instructions together.
I think the other two children are Sydney Gambrell and possible Chance or Eddie Liverright.
The other two gardens with families working. Left the second grade Butterfly Garden- Kris Frady with Sydney and Angela Gambrell.
The fifth grade want a pond and worked very hard towards that end.
L to R: Carolyn and Daniel Perry, Hunter the youngest and most patient volunteer (in arms); Kristie M. and Kristie Liverright, Tina Scott and Bobby Brockman.
d out in the Memory Garden over the years. I have only witnessed two work days so here's a smattering of family groups from the past work day. Not everyone is here. Just know, everyone who worked was truly appreciated!To the left: the Liverright family worked very hard. Mom in the background in blue/purple.
The Shaffers:Left: Josh and Sophie
Right: Soleil helps out with assembling a bird feeder pole.
I love this picture as they puzzle through the instructions together.
I think the other two children are Sydney Gambrell and possible Chance or Eddie Liverright.
The other two gardens with families working. Left the second grade Butterfly Garden- Kris Frady with Sydney and Angela Gambrell.
The fifth grade want a pond and worked very hard towards that end.L to R: Carolyn and Daniel Perry, Hunter the youngest and most patient volunteer (in arms); Kristie M. and Kristie Liverright, Tina Scott and Bobby Brockman.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Next Work Day!
The next work day will be April 18th, 9-12.
Come and help us haul mulch and dirt - it will be fun! Really!
Come and help us haul mulch and dirt - it will be fun! Really!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
A stunningly successful work day!!
We had an outstanding turn out for the Memory Garden workday. More than fifteen faculty and staff attended and almost sixty parents and children. Everyone worked very, very hard. It was amazing to see the transformation and we accomplished way more than I anticipated. In addition to finishing gardens for the First and Fourth Grades every garden got some TLC. We will be ready to plant, plant, plant in April.
First Grade Color Wheel Garden. I am so excited about this garden - it is a rainbow shape that will be planted with all the colors of the rainbow. We planted seeds in Mrs. Herstine's and Mrs. Gourdin's class last week to further this project. We had a great time! The seeds are up already- after a week.
They began by laying gravel on landscape cloth. Lots and lots of gravel ...
Then mulch was spread in the center and soil on the outside. The finishing touches were added.
This garden was constructed by Cat and Grace Ammons, Jane Herstine, Artrice Kinnard, Amy Batson, Josh Shaffer, Wade King and Rodney Brooks.
The Fourth Grade Columbian Exchange Garden.
This garden is a series of three raised beds, designed to reflect the community this work day these beds were mulched by the dedicated Mrs. Cashion and Miss. Wicker - a study in American Gothic!
garden beds completed last year. Both gardens flank the central circle. During
The Fourth Grade social studies standards explore the transportation of people, crops and diseases between the Old and New World. This Garden will feature a Native American Three Sisters Garden- corn, beans and squash; an African Garden including peanuts, okra, and sesame; and a European Garden in which plants that revolutioniszed Europe will be showcased: potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and strawberries.
Lauren Sandy and Neil Calkin building the raised beds.
The final product mulched beautifully by Vicki Crawford and Matt Gambrell.
More to follow
First Grade Color Wheel Garden. I am so excited about this garden - it is a rainbow shape that will be planted with all the colors of the rainbow. We planted seeds in Mrs. Herstine's and Mrs. Gourdin's class last week to further this project. We had a great time! The seeds are up already- after a week.
They began by laying gravel on landscape cloth. Lots and lots of gravel ...
Then mulch was spread in the center and soil on the outside. The finishing touches were added.
This garden was constructed by Cat and Grace Ammons, Jane Herstine, Artrice Kinnard, Amy Batson, Josh Shaffer, Wade King and Rodney Brooks.
The Fourth Grade Columbian Exchange Garden.
This garden is a series of three raised beds, designed to reflect the community this work day these beds were mulched by the dedicated Mrs. Cashion and Miss. Wicker - a study in American Gothic!
garden beds completed last year. Both gardens flank the central circle. During
The Fourth Grade social studies standards explore the transportation of people, crops and diseases between the Old and New World. This Garden will feature a Native American Three Sisters Garden- corn, beans and squash; an African Garden including peanuts, okra, and sesame; and a European Garden in which plants that revolutioniszed Europe will be showcased: potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and strawberries.
Lauren Sandy and Neil Calkin building the raised beds.
The final product mulched beautifully by Vicki Crawford and Matt Gambrell.
More to follow
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Join us for a Garden Meeting March 12, 6pm
Garden planning meeting at Pendleton Elementary. Please join us!
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