Temple Beth Am 4th Graders Visit The Garden 2011

The day started out with a bus ride in pouring rain to an outdoor event and ended in bright sunshine and smiles.  On Monday, November 28th, Deering Bay welcomed Temple Beth Am Day School kids from Ms. Koller's 4th grade science class to the garden. We held a program consisting of 4 separate science labs and rotated every 15 minutes.  The labs were:
#1. Seed propagation with Daniella Tosta
#2. Butterfly Gardening with Ethan Shapiro
#3. Vegetable planting with Tim Rowan
#4. Ms. Koller's science class .

The students really enjoyed every thing about their field trip and so did we! We plan to host the students again at the Club in March so they can check on the garden's progress, harvest and eat vegetables and collect caterpillars.

As for planting the garden, we made great progress.  The students completely planted the butterfly garden with Ethan while learning about host and nectar plants and the different types of butterflies they attract.  Daniella did an excellent job demonstrating seed propagation and all the kids left with a potted plant to grow at home. Ms. Koller took the opportunity to teach about the importance of beneficial insects, pollination, ecology and conservation.  I was happy because I had 20 kids who were eager to help me plant.  And boy were they productive planting nearly 1/4 of the garden.  All in all, we planted three types of cabbage, garlic chives, sorrel, cosmos, radicchio, golden beets, lettuce, basil, bok choy and tatsio.

On behalf of the Staff and Members of Deering Bay Yacht & Country Club thanks to the Beth Am 4th Graders for visiting our garden!

Progress Report

This week I see Lot's of progress in the Garden, everything is sprouting and growing at a normal rate. We planted a Gold Finger Banana Plant today . We moved our compost pile about 6 ft. cultivated the soil and planted in the rich compost we created from kitchen scraps and leaves and plant clipings from the golf course . The Gold Finger Banana is a very fast growing plant and we could see fruit in 8 months, the fruit is small finger banana variety with a brown sugar taste .. Also a plant that I really like is the Southern Milkweed . The Southern Milkweed attracts and feeds the Beautiful Monarch Butterfly. Every time I pass by I see Monarch Butterflies, I noticed last week about 20 caterpillars on the plants , I hope they are there Monday when the kids come to plant !

Purple Haze, Atomic Red and Green Grape

Easter Egg Radish and Watermelon Radish are just some of what's new this year in the Garden ! We also have sweet Sun Gold cherry tomatoes , 5 types of Marigold flowers , 2 types of mustard greens. Napa Cabbage, Savoy Cabbage, Copenhagen Cabbage and Radicchio. And our Butterfly Garden this year is full of Nectar plants to attract and feed Butterflies . Also new this year all plants will have name plates for easy identification . So after putting on 17 , slow down and enjoy our unique garden experience . Purple Haze and Atomic Red are varieties of carrots :)

Members and "Residents" approve

The Garden is finished and ready for planting ! I had Quite a few Members drive by today and give me their approval . And late afternoon our "Resident" Peacocks showed up , they were happy to see the Garden and gave me their approval as well .