We’ve almost filled our beds to completion, with only one bed left to fill. I’m thinking strawberries would be nice. Maybe a little lettuce, too.
So far we’ve planted pole beans, corn, cabbage, broccoli, black beans, spinach, sweet peas, zucchini, squash, pumpkin, carrots, onions, tomatoes, sweet peppers — whew! Plus a few herbs — basil, parsley, cilantro. That’s some kind of garden!
And it’s coming along quite nicely. The students learned what plants eat. They also learned what eats plants. Worms and bugs and flies, oh my! Yes — and they’re everywhere, so our gardeners are vigilant. We’ve made rounds through the garden taking turns for “bug watch.” Actually found a few — we’re not sure what — munching on the pole beans. Several eggs were on the underside of a leaf, so we brushed them off. Our corn is being eaten as well, and received a douse of insecticidal soap.
We’re hoping a few toads move in and we’ve sent invitations to some lovely lady bugs in the neighborhood. Dragonflies are always welcome! We hear slugs and snails like beer, but with an abundance of cats nearby, it might not be a good idea to set out open saucers of the stuff. We wouldn’t want to lead them astray…
While we were planting, we noticed a few weeds had popped into the picture and as expected, our weed warriors launched their full attention to the matter (our compost pile enjoyed the fresh pickings). Way to go weed warriors!
During our garden tour, we noticed the black beans were sprouting to life. Camera ready, we captured them in varying stages of growth. Here the bean first emerges.
The leaves unfurl from within.
No longer needed, the shell shrivels away.
Is that cool or what? It’s certainly up close and personal and adds a whole new dimension to those beans you’re eating, doesn’t it?
But that’s what gardening is all about. Witnessing the growth of the vegetables we eat — literally having a hand in the process — it brings us closer to nature. Caring for our plants, tucking them in their beds… It inspires a connection, a bond.
Since we’re organic, parents can rest easy knowing what’s going into their child’s body. Kids enjoy it because everything tastes better when you grow it yourself!
The joy of gardening. Careful–it’s contagious.
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