March 26, 2015 - Seed to Harvest Meeting

The program priorities for 2015 are:

• • Build the Living Lab in the school's courtyard (STH will be most involved in the initial build out.  After the space is ready, the teaching staff will be able to sign-up the space similar to how they would reserve the computer lab.  Teachers will be responsible for maintaining their own projects.  STH can use some of the greenhouse space to grow plants for the community garden.)

  • Plant and maintain the Seed to Harvest community garden.  This year the priority will be on planting more of the popular veggies and grow them well.

  • Add a trough style sink so students can quickly wash up after garden projects.

  • Add seating in the garden (did not get to this last year).

  • Install garden sign and message board.

  • Add more learning opportunities in the garden.

  • Continue the planting and garden craft activities for the classes.  Try to focus each grade/class on a particular plant in the garden.

We brainstormed a quick list of the most popular veggies that we want to plant.  We tried to focus on those that are able to be harvested in the spring or fall so that students get the most exposure. A "Garden Planning" spreadsheet has been created on the Seed to Harvest drive to continue refining this list.

Spring Harvest

Lettuces (arugula, romain, iceberg, sulu, mortel, dandelion)

Edible flowers (pansies)

Radish

Herbs (scallions, lavender, basil, cilantro, etc)

Strawberries

Fall Harvest

Carrots

Potatoes

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Brussel Sprouts

Artichoke

Asparagus

Favorites/Other

Sugar Snap Peas

Green Beans

Sunflower

Rainbow Flower Garden

Raspberries

Blackberries

Tomatoes

Cucumbers

Chinese Vegetables (Bok Choy)

We have decided to subscribe to the Farmers Almanac Garden Planner ($25/year) to make planning easier this year and in years to follow.

http://gardenplanner.almanac.com

Since we have some extra money to spend this year, we also started a list of things it would be nice to have in the Living Lab or community garden (this list is also in the Garden Planning spreadsheet).

• • Compost tumbler (to replace the existing compost bins)

  • Watering cans (smaller to make it easier for kids to use)

  • Trough sink

  • Food scale (2)

  • Microscope

  • Ph/Soil Testing kits

  • Magnifying glasses

  • Collection baskets (WholeFoods?)

  • Worm farm

  • Potato boxes

  • Weather stuff (i.e. rain gauge, wind instruments, thermometer, barometer)

  • Fencing for raspberries

  • Trellises

Other to do's that we discussed:

• • Document the set-up and break-down instructions for the garden and living lab

  • Schedule taste-testing (lettuce party?  WholeFoods chefs?)

  • Thin out the strawberries (move to berry patch - on second thought, it probably is best to leave the large bed for the fall crop) [Kathy]

  • Investigate trimming back blackberries/raspberries [Kathy]

  • Contact MetroWest Irrigation to schedule turning on the sprinkler system [Krissy]

  • Weed out the fairy garden [Maureen]

  • Survey teachers regarding garden priorities for this year [Cydney]

A shared Pinterest board has been set up so that we can share ideas for the garden and activities.

Pinterest Board: https://www.pinterest.com/krissyklf/seed-to-harvest-2015/