Organic Gardening News!

My new students and families may not know this, but one of my pastimes is organic gardening. Last year we bought one of those amazing pumpkins - a Jack-o-Lantern that just wouldn't quit. Finally - around February it began to decompose and my husband added it to our compost bin, and then, later, to our garden. 

Imagine our surprise at finding a pumpkin blossom when growing watermelon this summer! Check out our singular 2016 pumpkin, our first pumpkin ever - a circle of life planting from our 2015 pumpkin!

Organic Gardening Update

Gem corn is not a GMO, Franken-Food developed in a lab to make purple corn. It is one of the oldest varieties of corn and was used by Native Americans well before any Europeans arrived.

Gem corn is beautifully colored flint corn, and I grew it for the sheer gorgeousness of it. 

One major pollination lesson learned - don't plant late when the heat is too great. I'm really looking forward to planting it again in the spring!

Organic Gardening Highs and Lows

OMG! So excited about growing corn. I'm so stressed about this though. I know - leisurely organic gardening has me stressed. I worry about everything - including non-forming kernels on yet-to-be-developed ears of corn. I might have had a nightmare about this. It's not easy being me.
BUT...
This happened...
Tassles!!!!!!! This is a definite High. One step closer to developing kernels. Winning!

Now for the Low. 
Overnight my arugula was eaten by I.Don't.Know.What.
Look at this sad arugula leaf.

Wait.
What's that?
Look closer.  
UGHHHHH!

His name was Legion. There were many. They met a watery grave. Then were stomped by an aggressive sandal - just to be sure.

Update on the organic garden...

So this summer we started an organic garden, after completing a sustainable gardening class at our local community college. It's been amazing - starting from seeds and watching seedlings take hold and grow. We are growing all kinds of tomatoes, corn, potatoes, squash... We're just now starting to battle pests. Grrrr! Stay away from our veggies!

How does your garden grow?

Sustainable Gardening

I planted this little tomato seed during my first sustainable gardening class -- it took a while, and I was worried, but my first little sprout appeared! 

Just like teaching. You plant the seed, wait, care for it - then... growth! So exciting!

Organic Gardening

I recently had a Donors Choose project funded for all kinds of goodies to support a sustainable gardening project. But - I'm kind of a newbie at gardening so I am so very excited about my sustainable organic gardening class!  It started last night and I can't wait for these little fellas to sprout! 

Get ready students, we're going to grow lunch!

Blueberries

We started using our SoDelicious grant! 

On Friday we learned all about organic gardening and how organic is better for the planet and our bodies. Then we learned all about blueberries and all of their amazing health benefits, did you know blueberries have been around for over 13,000 years? 

Students made a cool little book to track their learning and even got to record how blueberries smell, feel and... Finally - taste! The kids loved making a circle map about the blueberry and a tree map to track its features. At the end of the day the students left with a cool books, knowledge in their heads, blueberries in their tummies and some fresh, organic fruit to share at home! 

Tweeting for Good!

#140Difference had a challenge - 

Tweet a grant proposal in 140 characters or less. Always up for a challenge I tweeted something close to my heart...

Entry: veg teacher to provide organic fruits/veg monthly – for tasting – to title I kids as part of org/non-gmo healthy/real food edu #140difference

Photo by: Roxanna Dixon

http://sodeliciousdairyfree.com/blog/140difference-week-1-winners/

I'm really excited about this because with this grant I can give my students the chance to taste lots of healthy, organic and non-GMO fruits and vegetables.

We'll focus on one a month and learn about the nutrition in each locally grown fruit or vegetable. We'll also learn about why taking care of our bodies and our planet through organic gardening is so important.

Thank you, So Delicious! 

Students, persuade me to do something that is really important to you. 
Write me a note in 140 characters or less and I'll pick a winner Friday!