Embedded Files
March 22-28
March 22-28
This week, Farmer Leila and Farmer Kyle worked in all of our gardens to till in our cover crop of winter rye (a type of grass planted in all of our garden beds by our 2nd graders back in the fall to protect our soil and prevent erosion over the winter time). They practiced physical distancing, working far apart from each other to stay safer. By ripping up the grass and mixing it into the soil, the winter rye will now decompose, adding valuable nutrients into our soil and making space for the new vegetable crops we will plant this spring!
This week, Farmer Leila and Farmer Kyle worked in all of our gardens to till in our cover crop of winter rye (a type of grass planted in all of our garden beds by our 2nd graders back in the fall to protect our soil and prevent erosion over the winter time). They practiced physical distancing, working far apart from each other to stay safer. By ripping up the grass and mixing it into the soil, the winter rye will now decompose, adding valuable nutrients into our soil and making space for the new vegetable crops we will plant this spring!
First, we removed the straw mulch which had been spread on top of our winter rye seeds to help protect our soil and baby winter rye seedlings through the winter. Next, Farmer Leila and Farmer Kyle used a tool called a scuffle hoe to rip up the winter rye and mix it back into the soil. Once all the grass had been ripped up and tilled, or mixed, in, we put the straw mulch back on top of the beds to give a little extra protection to our soil and to stop weeds from growing until we are ready to plant our spring crops. Check out the photos below to see the transformation!
First, we removed the straw mulch which had been spread on top of our winter rye seeds to help protect our soil and baby winter rye seedlings through the winter. Next, Farmer Leila and Farmer Kyle used a tool called a scuffle hoe to rip up the winter rye and mix it back into the soil. Once all the grass had been ripped up and tilled, or mixed, in, we put the straw mulch back on top of the beds to give a little extra protection to our soil and to stop weeds from growing until we are ready to plant our spring crops. Check out the photos below to see the transformation!
(1) Winter rye covered with straw mulch
2) Winter rye with straw mulch removed
(3)Winter rye ripped apart and mixed into the soil
(4) Straw mulch replaced on top of tilled soil
FARMER PHOTO SHOOT!
FARMER PHOTO SHOOT!
Here is Farmer Kyle tilling in the winter rye at Wildwood.
Say: "Hello, Farmer Kyle!"
HOW IT WORKS:
HOW IT WORKS:
A scuffle hoe, (also called a stirrup hoe or hula hoe) is a great tool for weeding and killing unwanted plants. The sharp steel blade skims horizontally below the soil surface, slicing through roots while leaving the soil in place.
INTERESTING FACT:
INTERESTING FACT:
Winter Rye is a type of grass that farmers spread in their fields in the fall. It is called "winter rye" because it is a very hardy plant that can grow even in the winter time. This grass helps prevent soil erosion (when soil gets carried away by water, wind, snow, or ice) by holding onto the soil with it's long, hairy, fibrous roots. Look at how much soil this little clump of winter rye can hold onto!
NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT #1:
NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT #1:
Pull up a little clump of grass outside and take a look at the fibrous roots!
CHALLENGE: Can you find another kind of plant with fibrous roots?
CROCKER FARM'S GARDENS
CROCKER FARM'S GARDENS
Crocuses planted by Ms. Bartolini and Ms. Pratt's 1st grade class are popping out of the soil!
Daffodils planted by Mr. Lefebvre's 2nd grade class are getting ready to bloom! A few more sunny days, and these flowers will be blossoming!
Winter rye (the grass that has been holding our soil in place through the winter) emerges from the straw mulch. All 2nd grade classes helped to plant these seeds and spread this mulch back in November!
Farmer Kyle uses a "scuffle" hoe to till, or rip out the winter rye and mix it back into the soil so that it can decompose, adding valuable nutrients into our soil in preparation for spring planting!
FORT RIVER'S GARDENS
FORT RIVER'S GARDENS
Sage, thyme, lavender, and oregano begin to come out of dormancy (their long winter nap) and will soon be bursting with new leaves! Keep an eye out for updates!
This week, Farmer Leila pulled all of the old, dead marigold plants out of this bed. The soil is covered in marigold seeds that fell out of the dried up flower blossoms! Expect to see a lot of marigold seedlings popping up in the next few weeks!
Winter rye (the grass which has been protecting our soil all winter) is peeking out of the straw mulch. All 2nd grade classes helped the plant these seeds and spread straw mulcj back in November. Now, it is time to till, or rip these grass plants up and make space for our spring veggies!
After our winter rye got tilled in to the soil. See the difference? Now that there are no plants growing in these beds, our spring vegetable crops will have all the space they need to grow big and strong!
WILDWOOD'S GARDENS
WILDWOOD'S GARDENS
Winter rye (the grass which has been protecting our soil all winter) is peeking out of the straw mulch. All 2nd grade classes helped to plant these seeds and spread straw mulch back in November. Now, it is time to till, or rip these grass plants up and make space for our spring veggies!
Farmer Kyle uses a "scuffle" hoe to rip up the winter rye and mix it back into the soil so that it can decompose and add valuable nutrients to our soil!
Check out these crazy roots! Winter rye has fibrous roots, which are long, skinny roots that look like hairs and are great for holding onto soil so that it doesn't erode (when soil gets carried away by water, wind, or ice). Wave at Farmer Kyle in the background!
This is how the beds looked after we tilled in the winter rye! All of our garden beds are now cleaned up and ready for spring planting!
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