December 13th, 2022

Winter is here!  All grades are celebrating the end of 2022 by harvesting herbs and making herbed butter and bread.  The middle school finished up a unit on sustainable gardening, including renovating the rain garden by the bridge using evergreen, perennial native plants.  They also planted a pollinator garden and drought tolerant bed in the orchard side of the garden.  Other grades have been studying weather, water, and energy in the garden.  

This is my last blog style update, please email me if you want to volunteer or are curious what we are up to in class!

September 13th, 2022

The first day of garden class for the 2022-2023 school year began with so many vegetables to harvest.  In one day, students picked tomatoes, potatoes, grapes, squash, pears, and apples.  We will have lot so of food to cook with and enjoy over the coming weeks.  

May 24th, 2022

Although it continues to rain, the Springwater Garden is in full swing.  This week saw the planting of squash, tomatoes, corn, potatoes, basil, and more.  Kids have been working hard planting, weeding, and learning about plant and animal adaptations.  If you haven't seen the garden signs yet, be sure to walk through the garden and check them out!

May 2nd, 2022

Spring has been full of growth and activity in garden class.  We painted signs, mulched beds, learned about pollinators, and started lots of seeds.  The pictures below give a brief glimpse into what's been going on!

January 10th, 2022

The kindergarten through 5th grade classes have been talking about healthy eating habits.  Some students spent one garden class talking about how important it is to "Eat a Rainbow of Color!"  We made a rainbow of fruit and vegetable pictures to remind us to eat our colors everyday.  The picture above is a fun reminder to do this, especially on rainy days.

October 31st, 2021

The Foxes were busy last week preparing cucumber seeds to be saved.  First, they removed the seeds from mature cucumbers and fermented them in water for a week.  Next, viable seeds were extracted from the fermented mixture, dried, and stored in seed packets made from folded paper.  It was a slimy, moldy, and wet process.  This is my idea of a great garden class!  

September 27th, 2021

Fall is usually a busy time, and classes in the Springwater Garden are no exception!  Students have been harvesting basil, peppers, tomatoes, leeks, celery, popcorn, dry beans, squash, and more.  Cover crops were planted last week, and we'll continue to clean up and plant more cover crops this week.  The K-2 classes planted white oak acorns.  We are eager to see how many oaks will grow.    

September 1st, 2021

The start of a new school year brings new joy and excitement to the garden, and there is so much to see and do!  The new dry farming demonstration area is full of popcorn and squash ready to be harvested, and the tomatoes continue to ripen at a very speedy pace.  Vegetables for the late fall and early spring have been planted and are continuing to grow.  Evidence of browsing deer can be found just about everywhere.    

March 11th, 2021

Distance Learning for Garden Class is ending soon.  I'm looking forward to seeing students who are able to attend in person!  

January 2021

As the daylight gets longer in the evenings and the sun peaks through the clouds, I find myself getting very excited about this coming spring.  During morning meetings for the next few weeks I'm going to share with you all some recipes I found using native plants and other common plants in Oregon.  The following recipe comes from the cookbook Feeding 7 Generations, A Salish Cookbook by Elise Krohn and Valerie Segrest.  Before reading about Dandelion Drop Biscuits, I never eagerly anticipated seeing dandelions emerge and flower.  Not true anymore!  I can't wait to try this myself.  

Dandelion Drop Biscuit Recipe

Before you harvest wild plants, please remember your ethics of harvesting!  Click here for more info.  

December 2020

We will be starting our study of soil science this month.  We will also dig up the socks we buried for the "Soil Your Socks" Challenge.  Here are the supplies students will need for class:

Middle School - (Starting January 11th) A mason jar with a lid, dish soap or dishwasher detergent, a ruler, and a soil sample

3rd - 5th - (Starting December 14th) A mason jar with a lid, dish soap or dishwasher detergent, a ruler, and a soil sample

Kindergarten - 2nd - (Starting December 14th) Three soil samples.  I will put ziplock bags in the gardening class supply bin in front of the school labeled Soil A, Soil B, and Soil C.  Please take one of each!  They aren't there yet but will be ready to grab starting Monday, December 7th.  

These items aren't mandatory for class, but they will add a fun hands-on experience if it's possible to find them.  

Three cheers for dirty fingernails, 

Jenny

October 2020

Hello Springwater Students and Families!

Here is how your student can/will get their garden class supplies:

Middle School - The envelopes were mailed home.  

3rd - 5th - The envelopes are in boxes in front of the school.  

Kindergarten - 2nd - Your teacher included your envelope in your supply bag or mailed it to your home.  

If for any reason you don't receive an envelope, there are extras in a tub in front of the school that can be picked up at any time.  

I'm excited to start growing some plants with you all,

Jenny

September 2020

Hellow Springwater Students and Families, 

First, I want to say that my heart goes out to everyone impacted by the fires and evacuations.  

Second, I want to give a huge thank you to the garden volunteers who came out to weed and water this summer.  I was excited to meet so many families before school even started.  

My name is Jenny and I am a vegetable grower and former middle school science teacher.  I am excited to be joining this exceptional learning community.  The focus for the fall and winter garden class will be on connecting with nature, soil science, and composting.  We’ll be doing art projects and soil science experiments that can be done from anywhere.  I’ll be sending a package of supplies to you all during the next couple of weeks, so please keep an eye on your mailbox for an envelope from school.  I can also deliver the supplies to wherever you may be!

There are also some additional supplies that your student will need to complete the activities.  I've made plans through to the end of the December, but am hoping we'll be back to in-person learning sooner.  These items are not mandatory for participation and I’ll do my best to update you on all changes as soon as possible.  

Below is a list of what you’ll need from home:

1 plastic container with holes drilled or punched in the bottom, e.g. humus containers

A sunny spot to put this container

Shovel

1 old cotton sock (Note: This sock will get destroyed!  Make sure it’s one you’re willing to part with.)

A place to dig a hole

Sharpie marker

Kitchen scraps, e.g. carrot peels, apple cores, old bread

I’m looking forward to meeting you all!

To health,

Jenny