Monarch Caterpillars

We found 6 different Caterpillars in the K-2 Garden Yesterday! We planted milkweed last year to attract the monarch butterfly's, so we were so excited to see that they were feeding on a few of the garden plants. Both Mr. Jacob's Kindergartners and Miss Jen's first graders observed them first hand. They found that they are "soft" to the touch and have "two heads" on each end. We talked about how they got there, and how we should all make sure that we leave them safe to make it to there next stage of the life cycle, to form a chrysalis, because after that, we think in about 2 weeks they will become beautiful Monarch Butterfly's. You can go the this link to read in detail about them.



We will be making a chart describing all the interesting facts about Monarch Butterfly's and will place it in the Garden for everyone to read and share with their family's and friends. So go see them when you get a chance, most of them are feeding on the plants in the image below, which is in Mr. Jacob's Powerful Puma's bed. We are not sure what these plants are since they were seeds that were planted in the summer, but are very anxious to see what flower they produce, and that our caterpillars have something yummy to eat !

Greenhouse Models

Pattie Krohn's 8th grade class has been working on a greenhouse design project. The first step was to come up with innovative ideas for portable, small and inexpensive greenhouses and make prototypes.

Two designs have been chosen. Over the next months the class will work to collect the building materials necessary to see their designs in action.  Some of the materials will be recycled and some will be donated or purchased. One helpful website with all sorts of ideas is snapclamp.com who also will be donating some of the PVC used.

Gardens Popping up Everywhere

Miss Jenn's 1rst

grade class has started 

a recycled vegetable 

garden made from an 

old bookshelf turned 

on its side.

There are also new plantings springing up in the 3rd-8th grade garden where Jennifer Kelly's 6th grade elective class "Simple Life for Teens" is planting vegetables to use for the cooking portion of the class.

Merrill and Dmitry's 3rd grade classes are also working on their garden beds .

If you'd like to help with these new gardens contact Jolie Barboa, garden liason for these classes, at...     j_barboa@yahoo.com

Name That Bean?!

Do you know what type of bean Olive is holding??  You guessed it. A Chinese Yard Long Bean! Miss Morgan's Kindergarten class planted these last spring and the new Kinders are picking them, cutting them up in pieces and eating them. We hear they are quite yummy. To read more about the Chinese Yard Long bean, click here.

Take a look at our little apple tree, and all the fruit it is going to gift us with this year. As some of you know, when we took over the school site this was the only living thing planted in the K-2 garden. Last year it only had one apple on it, and since it has had lots of TLC from our caretakers, its much happier now ! We can't wait till the children can eat them !

Out in the Raised Bed Garden, the 3rd graders are busy getting there beds ready for a new season of fall crops. They worked hard to mix in compost, and water with there friends. Lots of digging going on. Very exciting !!

fresh garden start!

The herb gardens look great after a sunny summer...just in time for the cooking classes to harvest!

Welcome Back Gardeners and Nature Lovers

After a wonderful summer we are all excited to start tending the many garden spaces we have created at SDCCS, in it's second season. Many families participated in watering and harvesting over the summer, taking good care and enjoying it's bounty...and for that we say THANKYOU!!! Now its time to think about fall planting and tending.
If you are interested in helping with your classroom garden plot, talk to your teacher about how you can get involved.
We will have a garden day on November 8th where we will begin to build the outdoor classroom, some more garden fencing, benches and general garden maintenance.

Hope to see you all in the garden!!

Films About Food

If you are interested in seeing a great documentary about how the First CSA was created, (CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture), mark your calenders for Saturday August 16th, and see the Film highlighted below. Slow Food San Diego, & San Diego Roots are featuring films about food to bring about awareness to our community. Please take a look at there upcoming films here.





The Real Dirt on Farmer John
Saturday, August 16, 6pm
Joyce Beers Community Center
3900 Vermont St., San Diego 92103
(Hillcrest, Uptown District Shopping Center)
The Real Dirt on Farmer John will turn every idea you've ever had about what
it means to be an American farmer, or an American dreamer, on its head.
Meet Farmer John, the incredible human being whose inspirational story
of revolutionizing his family farm and redeeming his own life has won accolades
and awards at film festivals around the world.
After this film we'll raffle off five pairs of tickets to the Jack Johnson concert at the Cricket
Amphitheater in Chula Vista on August 30 and "San Diego Loves You" t-shirts!

Celebrate Summer Solstice at a Local Organic Farm !

If you & your family would like to get away from the city this Saturday, and spend some quality time at an amazing farm, check out the information below. I have been attending the monthly potlucks at this farm for over a year now, and each time I walk away nourished, inspired and in awe. For more information about LaMilpa Organica farm you can go to their website here.

Also, check out the San Diego Roots Sustainable Food Project Website at the end of this post. Read about The Willow Glen Farm Project and watch the video produced by the students at the Terra Nova Garden at Morse High School, some amazing stuff happening right here in San Diego ! San Diego Roots has served as inspiration for us at SDCCS.


SUMMER SOLSTICE, June 21!
Roots Fundraiser & Farm Summer Fest
@ La Milpa Organica Farm | Escondido
Saturday, June 21 @ 4pm to 10pm
9928 Protea Gardens Road, Escondido California 92026

Live Entertainment | Puppets & Circus Acts | Potluck & Pizzas
family-friendly films under the oaks after dark

This is a perfect opportunity to visit this little agricultural gem. Farms are nice places to hang out, and what Barry Logan (farmer) has created  is a perfect example of how beautiful things happen when a community embraces a farm -- and a model of what  Willow Glen Farm is intended to be. There will be fun entertainment and they'll serve freshly made, wood-fired pizzas. After dark they'll show a family-friendly, inspiring food-related short film -- including a cartoon or two -- under the oak trees. Rain cancels.

For a map or more information about San Diego Roots Sustainable Food Project, visit their website: www.sandiegoroots.org

Have a Wonderful Summer Everyone!

While relaxing on the beach, let
your mind wander to our school
gardens and try to imagine how you
would like them to be. Design an
"outdoor classroom" in your mind. If you
come up with something please let us know.
We would love input from the entire school
community if possible.

And if you are one of our fabulous teachers,
ask yourself how you'd like to use the garden
next year and how/if it could be incorporated
into your curriculum planning.


See you in September!

Summer Watering....HELP!

There are 11 weeks in summer and we hope to have 2 people/families per week to "adopt" our gardens. It will involve coming in on Monday and Thursday of that week during business hours to water and turn the compost. It will take about 1 hour to accomplish this. (That's only 2 hours the whole summer to put towards your volunteer hours!!) Your kids will enjoy helping or playing at the K-2 playground while you tend the garden and you are welcome to bring a picnic ... enjoy the grass and shade...
The schedule/sign-up will be posted all summer long on the link section to the right, but here it is so far. If you are interested in helping us out, e-mail Amy at alzycat@gmail.com We will have a quick walk-through on Thursday June 12th from 11:30 to 12:30pm just before school lets out, to go over what needs to be cared for.


June 16 and 19.....1)Annie 2)Amy Z
June 23 and 26....1) Gabby 2) Tara Border 3) Susana Anaya (June 26 only)
June 30 and July 3......1)Tammy 2)Mark Decker (7/3 only) (need one other 6/30)
July 7 and 10.....1)Polly Camp 2)Amy Hooker
July 14 and 17...1)Annie 2) Gabby
July 21 and 24....1)Juanita & Lee 2)_______
July 28 and 31.....1)Lydia 2) Robin Roberts
August 4 and 7......1)Robin Roberts 2) Susana Anaya
August 11 and 14......1)Lydia 2) Susana Anaya
August 18 and 21...1) Susana Anaya 2) CJ Lucke
August 25 and 28.....1) Amy Z 2) Susana Anaya
Sept 1 and 4......1)Juanita & Lee 2)_________

Thank You

We are so happy to announce that our SDCCS gardenening project has been selected to receive a 2007-2008 Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant from the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation (LCEF). This grant will award us the sum of $5000, which we will use to expand the 3rd through 8th grade raised garden beds, build an outdoor classroom, and a Greenhouse ! A big thanks goes to our own SDCCS Parent Kari Finch for writing this and other grants for the garden.

We would also like to thank The Village Garden Club of Lajolla for a generous financial donation which funded our reed fencing in the K-2 garden and our Succulent Garden. In addition, we would like to thank Rain Bird for donating irrigation supplies that we will be installing sometime over the summer or at the beginning of the new school year.

One last thank you goes to the National Gardening Association for awarding us the 2008 Youth Garden Grant earlier this year. With this award we received a $500 gift card for Home Depot, and an assortment of excellent books to help us learn more about Garden Curriculum. They believe that "today's youth are the future of American Gardening" ! So do we !!

The 3-8th Grade Garden is Looking Healthy!

Corn, beans, tomatos, squash, strawberries, california natives...and more!
Thanks to many different classrooms and a few very dedicated parents, this garden is flourishing! In a month many of these veggies will mature and it will be time for a feast!

Botanical Drawings

One of the garden options is always to make botanical drawings.
It's amazing how much easier it is to learn about and remember the names
of plants when examined through the art lens. The drawings above
were made by some of our 1rst and 2nd graders. (click to enlarge)

Beyond Our School Garden

~For Earth Day ~

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”
~Native American Proverb

In the spirit of Earth Day, please take a some time to read this article, "Why Bother", and think about how you can start your very own Garden.

4th Grade Spring Planting

Check out the newest garden addition; a Culinary and Medicinal Herb Garden planted by our fourth graders:

Ready for some soil, water and hands for planting:

Out in the gardens bright and early this morning, our fourth grade kids...

Watering and diggin in the soil:
Tag teaming the sage plant...
By the end of the year they will be able to enjoy putting these herbs into yummy salads or on breads or pizzas. We might even get crazy and make some gorgeous smelling sachets.

PLANT LIST
Culinary Herbs: Basil, Bay Laurel, Curly Mint, Licorice Splash, Greek Oregano, Himalayan Silver Mint, Thyme Mint, Creeping Thyme, Lemon Frost Thyme, Hopi Red Amaranth, Royal Burgundy Pole Beans, Chamomille

Medicinal and Aromomatic Herbs: Andean Sage, Cleveland Sage, Germander Sage, Chamomille, Sarah Lavender, patchouli

The Three Sisters

Miss Karen's Second Grade just planted the beginnings of what we call "The Three Sisters Garden" What is that you ask ? The Three Sisters (corn, beans, and squash) are traditional plants that were used by various Native American Tribes throughout North America. They are a wonderful example of what is called "Companion Planting"

Corn, Beans and Squash have a very close friendship, in that they are companions, or "best friends" as the Second Graders learned. The Corn grows tall, the beans use the corn as a pole to grow up, at he same time the beans fix nitrogen into the soil, and then the squash with its large leaves and shallow root system, covers the ground below keeping out weeds and animals. We spent some time before planting, learning what it felt like to be each one of these plants and how they relate to each other. The class was separated into Corn, Beans, Squash and Weeds. A circle was created, then the corn kids took root in the ground, some pesky weeds entering and tried to take up all the space. The corn decided they were not very good friends with the weeds, so they asked the beans to come in and hug them, after that they invited the squash in to make sure to cover the ground. We asked the weeds to come back in to see how much space they could take...they were clever weeds, they still found a place to lay, but they were definitely limited. Now we will water, weed and wait for our Three Sisters to grow !




This is really a fascinating subject to teach children in the Garden. Not only is it fun to plant, and learn about the plants, but there is an abundance of folklore, stories and history surrounding the Three Sisters Gardening. Below is a legend that came from the Iroquois"s about the Three Sisters


The Iroquois Legend of the Three Sisters

It was said that the earth began when Sky Woman who lived in the upper world peered through a hole in the sky and fell through to an endless sea. The animals saw her coming, so they took the soil from the bottom of the sea and spread it onto the back of a giant turtle to provide a safe place for her to land. This Turtle Island is now what we call North America.

Sky woman had become pregnant before she fell. When she landed, she gave birth to a daughter. When the daughter grew into a young woman, she also became pregnant (by the West wind). She died while giving birth to twin boys. Sky Woman buried her daughter in the new earth. From her grave grew three sacred plants, corn, beans, and squash. These plants provided food for her sons, and later, for all of humanity. These special gifts ensured the survival of the Iroquois people.

For more detailed information about how to start your own Three Sisters Garden click here.

Daisy Chains

Today during the Multi-Age Class "Specials", where the children get to choose from a variety of different activities such as photography, yoga, painting, music making and gardening, the kids that chose gardening had even more choices. They could either cut sweet peas, do some planting or learn how to make daisy chains.







Many chose to make daisy chains...and with more than just daisies. We used poppies, cauliflower, nasturtiums, flowering broccoli and ranunculus as well as mexican sunflowers and sweet peas. It was great fun and everyone seemed very focused and involved. All of this experienced to the music made by kids participating in the music special. It felt much like an impromptu spring festival!
Afterward, many decided to decorate the garden fence with their creations while others took theirs home to mom.

Second Grade Gardening

Miss Karen's Second Grade Class has been spending Thursday Mornings in the K-2 Garden. They have been busy planting, tomato's, bell peppers, and sunflower seeds. This week, we harvested the Onion, Garlic and Radish bed, and prepared it for new planting, with a rich blend of compost, chicken manure, worm castings and fish emulsion. Here is a short video of them doing the serious work of mixing !!



Next week we will learn about and plant what the Native American's called "The Three Sisters", Corn, Beans and Squash....

An Orange Tree is Planted!

Merrill's 3rd Grade Class planted a semi-dwarf orange tree on Monday morning...the second tree to grace our orchard, after the Meyer Lemon.


It is now quite small and has a long way to go but with the right amount of TLC and some 8-year-old wish-whisperings into its leaves, it should grow into a lovely, fruit-heavy tree.


In a few years we could have lemon and orange-ade days at school!

Hard Work Pays Off!

We hope more families get involved in our gardens and in our school beautification and clean-up projects. It won't be long until our school looks like a visual representation of all we stand for: creativity, love of learning, respect for eachother and our environment, appreciation of nature and art, the importance of activism and involvement. All of this realized in a cooperative way is really what we are all about!

It was a small group today, but we accomplished almost everything on our list...everyone worked really hard.

The succulent garden looks great... a new table was built and really beautiful art was hung to cover some chainlink.
This garden still needs some cube shelving and some seating but we are well on our way to having an outdoor student lounge of sorts.




Work was done in the 3-8th grade garden also!
Art was hung over the raised beds to beautify... and we were given a good amount of composted horse manure to add to the beds...this will really make for a productive spring garden.
Many of the old dying veggies were taken out and the beds are ready for planting!







Gourds were hung throughout the school, painted by Miss Bell's Art Classes!














"Aviary Alley" was created...an idea from C.J. Hawk... to make the breezeway a welcoming place for birds and butterflies. This bed was turned and a few california natives were planted in addition to some of the ones already there. This area is mulched with cocoa hulls...take a handfull and smell the chocolate!







Bamboo fencing, double strength,was attatched to our existing fencing in the k-2 bed to keep out the exhaust from Genessee and to make our garden a bit cozier. This was a huge job and was done by two very hard working folks... thankyou!
This garden was also fertilized and mulched ... there is more to be done but we got a great start thanks to some really hard work in the digging and weeding department!