Our garden is changing as the rain and cool weather come. Some plants are dying, others are thriving, and the Springwater students are learning about the natural processes of plant lives. We are sad to see our flowers droop and fall, but we know that they provided so much food for the resident pollinators this year. We watch our natural birdfeeders, sunflowers, be devoured by hungry redwing blackbirds working hard to prepare for winter. We even allowed our lettuces and radishes to go to seed, watching how the finches forage in them! In the Springwater garden, we understand that brown, like red, yellow, purple, green, and white, is another beneficial and natural color in the garden.
Springwater students have also devoured the garden’s produce, but not to store up for winter! Students are welcome in the garden at any time and have grazed through the tomatoes, mints, sorrel, kale, lettuces, and beets. Students are expected to ask if they can pick or should eat a plant and then find someone to share it with—in this way, we can make sure they are eating edible plants and only taking what they need. Students are then shown the garden’s many compost systems if they wish to depose of their waste and are taught how nutrients are recycled into our soil.
The Springwater garden curriculum is being integrated into every grade through weekly garden classes. Each class has committed to a focus in the garden and will be balancing research, projects, and garden work throughout the year. We will be exploring seeds, pollinators, soil, vermicomposting, composting, rain catchment, and garden maintenance and building.
Volunteers are always welcome in the garden, either for garden work or working with students during class time. If you are interested in spending time or donating materials for our garden, please contact Kaci Rae at [email protected].
Springwater students have also devoured the garden’s produce, but not to store up for winter! Students are welcome in the garden at any time and have grazed through the tomatoes, mints, sorrel, kale, lettuces, and beets. Students are expected to ask if they can pick or should eat a plant and then find someone to share it with—in this way, we can make sure they are eating edible plants and only taking what they need. Students are then shown the garden’s many compost systems if they wish to depose of their waste and are taught how nutrients are recycled into our soil.
The Springwater garden curriculum is being integrated into every grade through weekly garden classes. Each class has committed to a focus in the garden and will be balancing research, projects, and garden work throughout the year. We will be exploring seeds, pollinators, soil, vermicomposting, composting, rain catchment, and garden maintenance and building.
Volunteers are always welcome in the garden, either for garden work or working with students during class time. If you are interested in spending time or donating materials for our garden, please contact Kaci Rae at [email protected].