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thistlebloom
Garden Master
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Last Thursday was our first official Kids Garden Class. We have met twice this spring, once for seed starting and once for a cleanup, but this class included everything. Journals, "lecture", Big Fat Word Of The Day, planting and of course, how could I ever forget, popsicles!
Our BFWOTD was Beneficial and for a demonstration I passed around apple tree leaves that were curling with aphids.
Girls=
Boys="hey! you can finger paint with them! (while squishing them on the table).
Then we discussed ladybugs and how they benefit us by eating aphids and other damaging insects.
We released two bags of ladybugs into two aphidy apple trees. It wasn't done correctly of course, but for the purpose of the kids observing it did what I wanted. Personally, I have never had much luck with seeing the ladybugs the day after, even when I release in the evening and follow all the tips. But the kids were excited and it makes for a fun visual.
We also planted Cafe sweet corn. I decided against pre-prepping the beds for them which were weedy and let them work at that. They did a good job, the corn will come in thick, but all the better for pollination right?
Watering continues to be the favorite garden activity, second only to eating popsicles.
Speaking of popsicles, my newest members, 3 siblings, are pretty much fascinated by the thought of getting a popsicle every time they come. Apparently this is something of a novelty to them, mom says they don't often eat them at home. She probably is avoiding all the sugars and artificial everything in them. They must have been worried that I might forget this critical part of garden class, because about every 10 minutes they were asking if it was time for POPSICLES! Haha.
Our BFWOTD was Beneficial and for a demonstration I passed around apple tree leaves that were curling with aphids.
Girls=
Boys="hey! you can finger paint with them! (while squishing them on the table).
Then we discussed ladybugs and how they benefit us by eating aphids and other damaging insects.
We released two bags of ladybugs into two aphidy apple trees. It wasn't done correctly of course, but for the purpose of the kids observing it did what I wanted. Personally, I have never had much luck with seeing the ladybugs the day after, even when I release in the evening and follow all the tips. But the kids were excited and it makes for a fun visual.
We also planted Cafe sweet corn. I decided against pre-prepping the beds for them which were weedy and let them work at that. They did a good job, the corn will come in thick, but all the better for pollination right?
Watering continues to be the favorite garden activity, second only to eating popsicles.
Speaking of popsicles, my newest members, 3 siblings, are pretty much fascinated by the thought of getting a popsicle every time they come. Apparently this is something of a novelty to them, mom says they don't often eat them at home. She probably is avoiding all the sugars and artificial everything in them. They must have been worried that I might forget this critical part of garden class, because about every 10 minutes they were asking if it was time for POPSICLES! Haha.