Adding Plants
Choosing a Location
We used this protocol and data sheet to collect data on eight different locations around the old garden, to decide where to add the new plants. After analyzing our data we chose location #3.
- Jar test to identify soil type.
- Sonkir Meter to identify soil moisture and pH.
- PocketLab Weather to identify light intensity.
Phenology
We learned about how important the timing of plant and animal life cycles is when choosing pollinator-friendly plants. Kristin Godfrey, Field Operations Manager for Project NEON, showed us data from a local phenocam. We made phenology charts to match when different flowers are blooming with when different pollinators are out and about .
Garden Work Day
We had a work day on Saturday, May 5th. Parents, kids, teachers, and the Girl Scouts helped us clean up the old garden space and prepare the new garden space.
Plant Selection
We researched pollinator-friendly plants using lists from the Xerces Society, North American Pollinator Protection Campaign, USDA, and Mass Audubon. We presented to local gardeners and talked with horticulturalists from the Native Plant Trust, who helped us choose and buy our plants.
Planting
We added twenty-two pollinator-friendly plants to our new garden space. It took us a while to decide where to put each plant. We had to dig a hole for each plant, add compost, put the plant in, and then water.
A special thank you to our teacher Mrs. Smith and to the volunteers and local gardeners who helped us, especially Ms. Bebeau-Smith and Ms. Cinclair.