High School Garden

Granite City Community Gardens has recently planted a garden at the High School.  Austin Gaines was instrumental in getting this started.  Right now he has help from the Science Club and many of the faculty.

 The students worked really hard moving the dirt and putting everything together.

 There are four raised beds that have a variety of plants in them.

 The city was kind enough to donate the dirt for the beds.  We needed two trucks to bring all the dirt in.

 This is an important project for the gardens.  Many schools are expressing interest in having a garden on their property so we are waiting to see how this one turns out before we get more schools involved.

So far everything is looking great!

Another great meeting of the Jr. Garden Club

This week was another great week for the Jr. Garden Club.  When the students got there they worked on weeding their plots the went to work planting tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet banana peppers, bell peppers, and eggplant.

 Once again we had help from our neighbors. Pete came by and helped the kids plant their vegetables then went and watered the whole garden!

 The kids really seem to be enjoying working in the gardens.  And all of their plants are doing extremely well. 

 We have a wonderful group of kids who work really hard and pay attention to what they are doing.  

 Trying to figure out how long six inches is so they know where to plant the seeds.

They also helped us plant the rest of the plants for the big garden.  It started as an organized plan, but I think it is going to be interesting to see exactly what got planted where.  The kids were so excited to be planting they just took whatever they could find and put it in the garden.  Can't wait to see what comes up!

THE GARDEN IS IN BLOOM

The spring season is my favorite.  The trees are starting to bud, the roses are starting to bloom, and veggies are starting to grow.  

It is getting exciting at the Old Six Mile Community Garden.  We are seeing many of the seeds we planted pushing up thru the soil and the fruit trees the 5th grade classes at Worthen planted last fall are starting to bud.  

 We are so excited about our peach tree.  The baby peaches even have fuzz.

 Our baby apples.  

 The radishes are pushing up through the soil.  These are the radishes the Jr. Garden Club participants planted.

 Lettuce!

 Who is excited about blackberries?  I AM!!!

 Lots and Lots of blackberries

 The onions are also looking very nice.  

Hello to the potatoes.  

All of the area community gardens are coming along wonderful.  We are so excited that this movement is taking off the way it is.  

Jr. Garden Club

The Old Six Mile Jr. Garden Club has officially started.  We are so very excited for this season.  We currently have around 20 kids participating which is more than we expected.  And the best part, some of the students are bringing their younger siblings with them.

 

The kids planted 2 kinds of lettuce, radishes, carrots, cabbage, potatoes and onions. 

 One of the neighbors of the garden approached Jim about planting some garlic.  I think this is wonderful because it embraces the "community" aspect.

 He gave a short talk on how to plant garlic.  The kids all listened extremely well.

 All  the kids were divided into teams.  They have their own plot, their own tools, and they get to name their team.  We have the Pink and Pretty team, Blue Lightening, and a few others that I don't know yet  : /

 Ready, Set, Garden!!!

 Jim explaining to the kids how to get the lines dug for the seeds.

 Teamwork at its best.

 Each child received a pair of gloves and a shovel.  They will be kept in their team bucket and will be used whenever we work in the garden.

 The kids asked a lot of questions which means they were really enjoying learning about gardening.

 After the seeds are planted the kids patted down the ground.

 A big THANK YOU to all the adults who came to help.  We couldn't have done it without you!

 We were so excited to see parents there.  What a great activity for families.

 Garlic and Onions being added to the big garden.

 Love seeing the younger kids get involved.  They worked just as hard as the older ones.

 Here they are learning how to plant lettuce seeds.

 Planting a couple of cabbage plants

 Cutting the potatoes around the "eyes" so they can be planted

 Jim explaining the best way to cut the potatoes

The children use alot of different skills when working in the garden. 

 The lesson this month had to do with worms and how they help the gardens.  

 Each student took a worm and placed it in their garden plot.

 Some had a little fun with them!

 Hiding the worms in the dirt so the robin that was hanging around couldn't come and eat them.

 A worm garden.

 Snack Time!!

Next month the tomatoes, beans, and zucchini will be planted.  CYA then!!!