In April we had fun exploring all the wonderful signs of spring! On April 8, 2023, we used our senses to make observations to describe the signs of springs. We also did a scavenger hunt where we searched for flowers, insects, sprouting seeds and so much more.
Click on the image to download a copy of our Signs of Spring observation tool.
Soil Science
Spring is all about preparing the soil to begin transplanting and sowing seeds outdoors. Our young gardeners tested the soil quality to determine the condition of our growing area.
We worked together to test the soil for organisms, compaction, and water infiltration. We used the resource below from Kelloggarden.com to test our soil.
Click on the image below to download a copy of KellogGarden's Soil Science analysis tool.
Earth Day
On April 22, 2023, we hosted our very first Earth Day class! We focused on the science of ecology by examining why organisms work together and how they support each other in their physical surroundings to thrive.
On Earth Day, our young gardeners learned about The Three Sisters Garden method. We learned that many Native American tribes planted the trio of corn, beans, and squash because they not only thrive together but provide a healthy diet.
Companion Planting
The Three Sisters Method is companion planting with three plants growing symbiotically to deter weeds and pests, enrich the soil, and support each other. The Farmers Almanac outlines the following benefits of planting corn, beans, and squash together:
As older sisters often do, the corn offers the beans necessary support.
The pole beans, the giving sister, pull nitrogen from the air and bring it to the soil for the benefit of all three.
As the beans grow through the tangle of squash vines and wind their way up the cornstalks into the sunlight, they hold the sisters close together.
The large leaves of the sprawling squash protect the threesome by creating living mulch that shades the soil, keeping it cool and moist and preventing weeds.
The prickly squash leaves also keep away raccoons and other pests, which don’t like to step on them.
Together we explored three different variants of the Three Sisters, a couple included a fourth sister, sunflowers! Each gardener then created a plan to begin transplanting corn and squash and sowing seeds of beans. To learn more about the Wampanoag, Hidatsa, and Zuni Waffle Garden methods we explored check out this resource we adapted from Growingorganic.com.
