How Did Our Gardens Grow? Our 2022 Recap
"Mr.Jared! Mr.Jared! They're red! They're REEEDDDD!"
Along with the tomatoes, we've been growing Bell Peppers (only somewhat successfully... peppers are hard!), Basil (Italian and Lemon... mmmmm), Lemongrass (which went crazy... in a good way!), and both Pineapple and Chocolate Mint (pretty much everyone's favorite). At Harrison West, we planted in big barrel planters on the playground with great success.
Our garden carts at 5th Avenue and GVS have worked great too. There was a bit of a miracle this Summer: those carts actually got fried in some of our heatwaves and completely crispified... but popped back to life recently after rain and cooler temps... we did a happy dance!
Let's Rewind: How did we start our gardens?
Way back in May, we decided we were going to bring back growing produce with the kiddos. We had taken a hiatus due to the pandemic. So, I got some plants from local garden centers and we did some herb taste-testing. We then voted using pictures on other produce like Tomatoes.
After voting, we picked up the plants and it was planting time! Kiddos had different jobs: pulling the plants from their pots, digging the new hole, planting the plants, tucking them in, watering etc. With some well-timed rain and the watchful eyes of kiddos and teachers, we've kept our gardens green (mostly)!
Here's the best part...
Speaking of bees…
We were so excited to plant food for us to eat, but we planted food for our buzzing brothers and sisters too! Our school have all planted various native wildflowers to feed the hummingbirds, bumblebees, butterflies and more! Even our youngest classes have enjoyed going out to our flower gardens and saying "Hi!" to the bees and butterflies. Bumblebees are a special passion of mine and it has been so fun to share this love with the kids! We've learned that bees (and even most wasps) are not aggressive unless you try to grab or smack them. So we say "Don't touch, just say "Hi"!". I love every time a kiddo runs up to me to excitedly share that they saw a be and said "hello"!
In addition to Ohio-native flowers for the bees, we also have some Milkweed patches at BFA Reed, LDBB 5th Avenue, and BFA Clintonville. This native plant is critical for the survival of Monarch butterflies... who we have enjoyed seeing at Clintonville!
Please stop by and enjoy the flowers around our campuses. Stand still by any of them... and meet a bee!