Squirrel-Friend or Foe?

The good news-The Gardening Gurus have completely transformed this space.  The number of bulbs in the ground has increased and the leaves have been managed!  Happy to report that there are only four beds that are empty.  This will be completed by the 4th grade gurus this coming week. 

Spring will bring us tulips, crocuses and daffodils.  HOPEFULLY!

The bad news-The population of squirrels in the garden has also increased.  On few occasions, I walked through the garden and spoke with some of our new friends as they congregated on tree branches and the bricks lining the garden...It was very Snow White-and I'd chuckle at this new image of myself...

But now...not the case at all.  I have been noticing some holes.  This can only mean one thing.  Winter is coming and the squirrels are getting ready.  They are happy and the Gardening Gurus are not so happy! Where are the dwarfs when you need them? 

Please let us know your thoughts and help us get these little guys under control!  

To be continued...

The GOOD, The BAD and The UH-OH!

The word of the day was teamwork. All gardeners partnered up and took on a variety of tasks.  Richard, Giovanni and Simon raked leaves in the back of the garden.  Angus and Colby dug a big hole for three daisy plants. Lamont, Jessica, Carlo and Jahnelle removed rocks and leaves from between the beds and covered the area with mulch.

That was the good!

Squirrels love to kick their heels up in the mulch.  I visited the garden three times today and it looked like a mulch fiesta!

That was the bad!

As for the UH-OH-----Don't swing your rake into a wire fence.  It will get stuck and it will take someone big and strong to unstuck it!  No names are mentioned here to protect those who claimed to be innocent!

Over the weekend, I purchased crocus bulbs and picked up daffodil bulbs from Union Square.  The daffodil bulbs were free as part of an initiative to beautify NYC.  This project is also a living memorial for 9/11.  There will be 300 of them popping up in the Spring.
To learn more about this project,  check out the website below...
http://www.ny4p.org/

Stay tuned for more!  Please post comments or questions...

Gardening is the best thing in the world! (Christian)

The overall consensus is that this club can't be beat. Pedro hit the leaf jackpot in the back corner of the garden and went to  town with his team.  Some worked hard raking the last of the leaves and others planted over 30 tulip bulbs using the fancy bulb planter that my Mom gave us.  

It sure made the job easier for measuring 5 inches into the ground for each bulb.  

The Gardening Club is now having a bed raffle throughout the grades.  

B.Y.O.B.=Bring Your Own Bulbs...the winning classes will have to purchase their own bulbs for the bed that they win.

Keep you posted on the results!

No More Weeds!!

The fourth and fifth grade's GARDENING GURUS spent the last 2 weeks weeding the garden.  Special thanks go to Saturday's volunteers that helped complete this task in time for Spring planting to begin.

"Our garden is really getting a makeover!  Today we planted some bulbs which is just as addicting as weeding.   I want to become a gardener when I grow up!" (Richard)

This week will be dedicated to planting.  There will be 100 tulip bulbs planted throughout the garden.  Gardeners dug 6 inch holes, deep enough to keep those bulbs warm and cozy through the Winter.  

They really impressed me with their teamwork and patience.  

Watching each bulb get planted really got me excited for Spring!

During the next couple of weeks, we will be planting more Spring flowers.  

Can you make any suggestions?

Weeds, Weeds and MORE Weeds!

"I'm really starting to get the hang of gardening!" said  Richard.

The hard work continued and we were all happy to reveal the worms, spiders, and bugs from under leaves and weeds.  Although ewwwwwwws were heard (LOUDLY), everyone gladly continued with rakes and trowels in hand!

The goal is to have all weeds out by Friday so that we can plant tulip bulbs next week.  (Thank you to my mom for bringing us a bag of 100 bulbs!)

There are also two new additions to the garden-Go take a look-but don't touch!  

Weedy to Rake and Trowel!

I know what you are thinking!

This morning's drizzle did not stop the 5th Grade Gardeners who now refer to themselves as "Guardians of the Garden"!  

Here is what the GUARDIANS reported...
"Gardening is so much fun. I wish I could garden everyday!" (Rhys)
"I think gardening is hard and fun!" (Roberto)
"Gardening is fun and it's better than recess." (Alexis)

We made significant progress pulling weeds and hope to finish by the end of next week!  Next step-getting ready for SPRING-planting bulbs and other surprises are in store...STAY TUNED!

Try this at home

Are you a gardener at heart?? Make a tool tote!

Try this at home with a milk or water plastic jug.  Decorate and carry your supplies...Rhys loves his!

Rakes, Trowels and Mud...Oh My!

Boy, were we surprised!  A slight drizzle didn't stop us!

I have to report that the 4th graders in the Gardening Club were hard at work this morning.   Here are some things they had to say in the GARDEN JOURNAL...

"Gardening is not as easy as it seems!"(Jessica)
"Weeding is harder then it looks." (Derek)
"We each went in 4 groups and pulled weeds in each bed.  It was hard work!" (Colby)
"We weeded the garden with rakes and trowels.  The process was hard, but fun." (Richard)

As hard as it was, we found worms and lots of other surprises.  Upon leaving the garden, Richard grabbed  Derek by the arm, swung him around to face the garden, smiled and said "Look, we made progress". That's just what we did!

When it rains, it pours...

This welcomed rain has relieved the Gardening Club of watering and weeding duties.  We had to take our work to the web...

This week, 4th and 5th grade GGs...Gardening Gurus researched the bulbs we'll be planting for the Spring.  They worked in partnerships and turned in a hearty list of flowers that will certainly make our garden the place to be for the PS 163 community.  

I've asked the children to recycle 1 gallon plastic water/milk containers.  This made for  a great rainy day activity.  After cutting and decorating, they make for perfect toolboxes for trowels and gardening gloves...stay tuned for pictures.

Great news...PS 163 will be receiving a WOOLLY SCHOOL GARDEN...a big thank you to the generosity of friends, PS 163 staff members, parents, and some of my family members.  Check out the website:

www.woollyschoolgarden.org

Have a great weekend!

Flowers and Weeds

Beauty exists beneath the weeds!  Fourth Grade Gardening Club met today for our first session.  We charted everything that we knew about gardening and set goals for September.  We will begin with pulling weeds and turning over the soil.  We took a walk through the garden, pulled out weeds in the front entrance area and even planted mums (thanks to my morning detour at WHOLE FOODS-3 for $12).  So we are off to a great start…I even pulled some weeds during my lunch…it was a little addicting!

Let's Get It Started!

The time has arrived!  

The Gardening Club has been formed.  I'm so excited to garden with the 4th and 5th graders at PS 163!  What do gardeners do in September?  We will definitely tackle the weeds and probably start a compost pile... I have some ideas, but post your thoughts or advice!

neatoday-August/September2010

Check out page 11- Recent research from the Sage Colleges of New York-

"Getting dirty might make kids smarter-research has shown that bacteria found naturally in dirt decreases anxiety in laboratory animals, and the latest studies show it also increases their cognitive function..."

Thanks Corina!

So excited!!

Good Morning!  It's a beautiful day in New York City and a perfect morning to start a blog.

I'm very excited to be starting a new adventure at PS 163!  It's going to be a year of learning and GROWING! GROWING???  Yes, this year, I will be facilitating the work that will be done in the school's garden with some very experienced gardeners.  

Living down the street from two community gardens has given me an appreciation for the joys of gardening.  In the past, I've had the opportunity to plant or just sit in the gazebo enjoying the time outdoors in one of the more beautiful and peaceful corners of the West Side.

Please stay tuned for updates and resources.   If you are a gardener too, share your thoughts, resources and words of encouragement. Thank you and have fun playing in the dirt!