Library Learning Patch-Inside Day

Last week our session was mainly inside, as we had only maintenance work to do outside. First we heard an interesting report one of the girls had prepared about lettuce. These children put a lot of effort into their assignments!

We read a book, Brother Eagle, Sister Sky. Then we played two games that reinforced how we are all connected with nature.

First we ate blueberries--also known as starberries. I read an article about how the Indians used blueberries for medicinal purposes, as well as a dye. They looked at the blossom end with a magnifying glass to better see the star shape. Then we passed out 12 blueberries to each child. I explained that twelve of these blueberries represented water in the ocean. They ate the 12, naming a sea animal or fish when eating each one. Fun! Then I explained that out of the remaining three, one represented mountains and one represented desert. Only one represented the land we live on and that sustains us. We then discussed how important it is to take care of this portion.

Yummy starberries!

We then played a game with string. I asked questions about nature and with each answer string was tied to the child's finger who answered. Before long the string was stretched in criss crosses to every child. Then we discussed what would happen when one piece was cut and how that affected everyone. I then cut several pieces to demonstrate this.

The web of life

Then it was off to check on the garden. The children we happy to see almost everything doing well. Next week we will harvest the radishes! Their sunflowers are doing well also. The only plants that didn't sprout were the beans and squash. We will replant squash next week. They pulled the few weeds that had sprouted.

Stay tuned for our first meal -- radishes!!

Salsipuedes Garden-keeping Lucky Out

Well, most of today was dedicated to foiling Lucky's attempts to lay in the cool dirt (excuse me, soil) of  my container garden. Even though I tried shooting him with the water pistol as I have been doing when he sits under the bluebird nest box,  he kept coming back when I wasn't looking. So I did some thinking and came up with a plan. I'll admit I got the general idea from the book, Square Foot Gardening. Did I mention that I love this book?? Anyway, I made a trip to the lumber store here in town and purchased 50 feet of two inch chicken wire. I thought that would be way too much, but as it turned out, it was just about right. So I spent most of the morning and part of the afternoon opening tomato cages and placing them around the barrels and then wrapping them with chicken wire. Lots of sharp edges. Ouch!! When I began, it was nice and cool, but by the time I finished, it was blazing hot in the sun! What a good feeling of accomplishment, though. Now Lucky won't stand a chance (I think). You never know about cats. Of course, just as I was finishing up, I realized that now I couldn't use just the tomato cages since the chicken wire was attached all the way around. So when the plants get larger, I'll either have to chance it that the cats won't get on them or take off all that chicken wire. Yuk! Maybe my plants will get so lush that they will take up the entire planters. :)

Now let's see you get in, Lucky!!

My peas are growing the fastest. The lettuce is growing, but slowly. I do hope it is ready to harvest before it gets too hot. I think the hot weather makes it bitter. Does anyone know about this? I may try to rig up a shade cloth for it.

I can't wait to harvest the lettuce!

I tried one more time to plant the Topsy Turvy Tomato. What a mess. This time I began with a much larger tomato plant but had difficulty getting it in the hole at the right place. By the time I finished gently placing the potting soil and looked at it, I realize that it was crooked. Hmm! It may be doomed. The high wind today didn't help any, I'm sure. I'm about to give up on that idea. Any suggestions??


My yellow squash still looks good but the zucchini doesn't look so well. I may have to re-seed it.

I'm definitely gaining even more respect for farmers who do this for a living. I read a delightful book, The Dirty Life- On Farming Food and Love. It is about a couple who does organic gardening on a large scale. It tells of their struggles to make a going business out of their farm. The author tells about the long hours  and grueling work--I can identify with that. Even though I love all the work here at Salsipuedes, it never ends. I always feel as if there are not enough hours in a day! But I guess that is better than sitting around being bored, huh?

Stay tuned!!

Bluebird update-better photo

I checked the nest one more time today--there are still five eggs--and I was able to get a better photo-wrong camera setting before. So I guess mama is sitting on the eggs--however, I saw her fly out just before I checked it. I wonder if the mama leaves from time to time. I'll be home tomorrow and will keep a closer watch on it. Now the countdown until they hatch--should take 12-14 days.

Stay tuned!

Bluebird Update

There are now five eggs in the nest. I apologize for the quality of the photo. I have to tip the nest to see the eggs and am being very careful. I just cannot hold the camera still with one hand! I don't want to spill the nest! Surely mama is through laying now. I believe she is now brooding.  I'll starting counting now to estimate when they will hatch.

Stay tuned!

Library Learning Patch-maintenance day

Now that our major work was done (the preparation and planting), we can now observe and maintain. We met in the library to begin our class. One of the children gave us a very interesting  report about the history of tomatoes. We learned that they are native to South America.  At one time people here in the U.S. would not eat tomatoes because they thought they were poisonous. We also learned that tomatoes are both fruits and vegetables. According to one source, when eaten fresh, they are fruits, and when cooked, they are vegetables.

Of course since this is a joint project between me as a Master Naturalist and the library, we stress reading. I  read a book, Tops and Bottoms--we all thought it was a cute and funny story. The children guessed in each instance what the rabbit was planting except for the corn--he harvested neither the top or the bottom. Reading to these children is fun--they immerse themselves in the story and do not hesitate to interact.

A cute story with several themes

I read another book from the library, Apples to Oregon, a story about a family bringing fruit trees to the West. They liked that one also.

One of the newest books in the children's section

The children were eager to check on their garden, so they gathered their tools and we went outside. Almost everything had sprouted! Our lettuce and peas that we planted from seed are up and growing! Our tomatoes and peppers also looked good. The children were most interested in the progress of their sunflowers that they had transplanted. They all were growing also. Soon we will tie them to the fence. While one group began watering their crops, others leveled an area outside the fence and planted pink dianthus.

A broken arm doesn't stop this gardener!

Conserving water by using a watering can

I am very impressed by the cooperation among the children. They are very good about sharing and taking turns.

After everything was thoroughly watered, the group picked up all the tools. My youngest member, a four  year old, carried everything inside for me.

Stay tuned for next week's progress report!

Salsipuedes Garden-Progress Report

I have high hopes for my garden. All my seeds except bush beans and carrots have sprouted. The only plant that doesn't look well is the little tomato in the Topsy Turvy planter. I may have to replant that. But otherwise, my crop looks good so far!

Lettuce and Peas

Cucumbers at the end of the planter

Squash

Zucchini I started from seed and transplanted

Bell Peppers

No carrots yet!

I may need to re-plant this!

A couple of cool nights are forecast--hope my little vegetables do okay! I can already taste them, Yum! I'm working on ideas for a trellis for the cucumbers and maybe squash using old wire tomato cages. Anyone know how tall I should make them?
Stay tuned!

Bluebirds!

Bluebirds are easily my favorite birds. They seem like such a friendly bunch! Last year I had three broods in my bluebird house. A pair has chosen my first nestbox this year. The second one is still empty. I have signed up to be a "nestwatcher" and will report to Cornell University. This should be a very interesting experience.

I began watching the birds build their nest a couple of weeks ago. It seemed as if the whole family was working--either that or two females with their mates. I waited a while and then opened the nestbox to check and take a photo.

This is a skyscraper!

I managed to get this little movie clip of the mama and papa. He seems to be guarding the nest while she brings in material.

Then two days ago I checked the nest.  I tapped it to make sure mama wasn't inside and then carefully opened the side.  There were three little blue eggs. What fun!

I'll try to hold the camera steadier next time!

I'll check the nest again this afternoon to see if there are more eggs, and then begin counting days to estimate when they will hatch. Stay tuned!