Ms. Reeves' Class Plants a Three Sisters' Garden

On April 15, Ms. Reeves and her 3rd grade class planted in their Three Sisters' Garden as well as in the butterfly garden.  As Ms. Reeves said, most of the students had done projects on Native Americans that had such a garden with corn, beans and squash. They students planted multi-colored Earth Tones Dent Corn, Rattlesnake Beans to twine up the corn stalks and Sugar Pie Pumpkins to cover the ground. The students will make succotash from the corn and beans in August when they are in 4th grade. Thanks to Renee's Garden which donated these and other seeds to our school.

"Corn, beans and squash, The Three Sisters, were the principal crops of the Iroquois and other Native American groups in the northeastern United States, at the time Europeans arrived here about 1600. By this time, the Iroquois had been planting these three crops together for about 300 years. Corn and beans are not native to this area; they originated in tropical America where they were cultivated by early peoples, long before these crops were cultivated in the northeastern United States. Pumpkins and similar types of squash have a tropical origin, as well." Quote from the New York State Museum.

Ms. Schwartz's Class Plants a Three Sisters Garden

On April 10 Ms. Schwartz's 3rd graders planted a Three Sisters Garden. This garden ties into their study of the Navajo Indians. Many Native Americans planted a version of this garden using corn, beans and squash. These plants (sisters) work together: the beans grow up the corn and the squash covers the ground and keeps it cool. We planted the garden using seeds that were donated by Renee's Garden.In August the students will make and eat succotash with these vegetables.

"Corn, beans and squash, The Three Sisters, were the principal crops of the Iroquois and other Native American groups in the northeastern United States, at the time Europeans arrived here about 1600. By this time, the Iroquois had been planting these three crops together for about 300 years. Corn and beans are not native to this area; they originated in tropical America where they were cultivated by early peoples, long before these crops were cultivated in the northeastern United States. Pumpkins and similar types of squash have a tropical origin, as well."  Quote from the New York State Museum.

Ms. Conn's Class Plants in the Jeffersonian Garden

On Thursday, Ms. Conn's students planted heirloom tomato seedlings and pole bean seeds in the 5th grade garden.  The students learned to take off the bottom leaves of the tomato seedling before planting each so about 1/3 to 1/2 of the stem was under the soil. The small hairs on the stem and the places where the leaves were will become roots and the plant will be stronger.  We also fertilized the plants.

The bed has been squirrel-proofed with a wire and wood cover so hopefully the plants will prosper!

Mr. Jacobs' Class Plants in the Salsa Garden

On Thursday, April 9, we discussed the ingredients in salsa.  The students will grow most of the ingredients in the 2nd grade Salsa Garden. We have tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeno peppers, onions and garlic in our garden.  Today the students planted pepper seeds.  The students will make salsa with the ingredients later in the year.

The students also checked on the worms in the compost bin. They are thriving! Several of the students planted seeds in the butterfly garden and also watered.

Ms. Bihari's Class Plants for Spring

Today Ms. Bihari's class planted in several areas around campus. They planted corn, beans and squash in their Three Sisters Garden, pumpkin seeds near their classroom and nasturtium seeds in the pollinator garden.

Many Native Americans planted these vegetables, including the Navajo, which this class is studying as part of third grade social studies.  They are called sisters because they help each other. The students planted rattlesnake beans, corn and zucchini. The beans will climb up the corn and the squash will shade the corn. At the beginning of fourth grade the children will eat succotash made with these vegetables.

The nasturtiums will attract hummingbirds and are in the pollinator garden.

fyi,  All the seeds that the children planted were donated by Renee's Garden.  The soil in the raised beds was donated by Kellogg's Garden Products and the seedlings were purchased with funds from the Western Growers Foundation grant.

It's Tomato Planting Time

It's tomato-planting time at Marquez and at your homes. Students in Mrs. Fein's class have planted Sweet Cherry 100's. These cherry tomatoes do well at the coast as do Black Cherry. We'll plant other tomatoes after the break.

Some tomato planting tips:
- Decide when you want to eat your tomatoes. Check the maturity date. Determinate plants will fruit all at once. Indeterminate plants fruit over a longer period.
- Create good soil conditions for your plants. Amend your soil with compost before planting.  If planting in a pot, use good potting soil and avoid ceramic pots because they get too hot. Fertilize about every 2 weeks.
 - If using a pot, choose a big one.
- Water tomatoes deeply and infrequently once they flower. (In a pot you may need to water every day or every other day, depending on how hot the pot gets).
- Plant tomatoes in a sunny spot.
- If you have room, plant tomatoes of different sizes and colors. The kids will like this!
- When planting, take off 1/2-1/3 of the bottom leaves at the stem. Then plant the tomato all the way up to the remaining leaves.  Roots will grow from where you plucked the leaves and from the tiny hairs on the stem. The plant will be stronger.
- Rotate your crop if you can.  Try not to plant the plants in the same spot each year.

If you want, you can make a "Salsa Garden" with your kids. Plant tomatoes, peppers, cilantro together!

A Successful 3rd grade workday

On Sunday, some third grade families joined Ms. Bihari and Ms. Farrell in getting the edible beds ready for spring planting. Thanks to Peter Branch, the Slawson family and Miranda.  Rachel Burch, Kurt Bierschenk, Marcus and Jack also helped. A special thanks goes to Pete Branch who has squirrel proofed four beds on the upper yard so the kids can plant vegetables.