The Back-Story:
Starting this spring (2010), Class 344 in partnership with Ms. Scott's pre-K class has gone to seed.  In April, we began to study the parts of a seed.  The students performed seed dissections, and then conducted an experiment to determine which parts of the seed are necessary for germination.  The students tested whole seeds (the control group,) seeds without the seed coat, only the cotyledon, and only the embryonic root.  Our results were surprising!  (You'll have to experiment on your own to figure this one out.)

Then the students researched all about the parts of a flower, the reproductive organ of a plant.  They learned about flower fertilization and seed formation.  The students performed exacting dissections of tulip flowers to carefully study the reproductive parts.  Finally, after all of this inside research, we were ready to head outside to start our garden. 

Our first attempts were rough, although scientifically fruitful.  We discovered that the main lawn in front of the school is just too shady to cultivate most plants.  (We do appreciate those grand oaks for their majestic limbs and cool shade.)  As all scientists must, the students used their findings to revise their thinking.  We realized that we must move our garden to the sunny side of the school.  Our next discovery was that the soil quality in front of our school is sub-par.  The soil has been compacted so that rain water has a difficult time permeating the soil.  Thus, our first mission was to reinvigorate the soil with organic matter and compost, to create a moderately rich hummus.  The students worked with our petite hand tools to till the soil and help mix in organic compost. 

Finally, with a generous donation from Morgan Stanley and help from some volunteers, we were ready to put our first vegetable plants into our small garden patch!  We're going to work throughout the summer to nurture our garden, and if all goes well, I hope to have some vegetables ready for harvest in the fall. 

Garden Updates:

June 19, 2010 -- I visited an Agway store and was successful in my quest for tomato trellises and fencing.  I also bought heirloom seeds in several varieties, all of which are heartier cold weather crops that will do well into the fall.  Some of the seeds include corn, beets, pumpkins, lettuce, zucchini, green beans, and acorn squash.  We are going to start these seeds (except for the corn) in small biodegradable peat pots this week on the school rooftop.  I'll need volunteers to come help plant the peat pots into our garden in a few weeks.

June 17, 2010 -- We planted our first vegetable plants today.  We now have 6 tomato plants, four bell pepper plants, and over a dozen basil, oregano and mint plants.  Over the weekend, I am going to buy tomato trellises and a small fence to fence off our garden area.

Class Gardening Photos
(More coming soon, as our garden grows. Click on photos for larger versions.)