Young Kansas Farmers

Prairie Moon early childhood, summer session students helped picked squash on June 25. These youngsters proved to be true, tough Kansas farmers: In spite of sometimes falling over from tugging on the squashes, getting scratched by prickly zucchini stems, and 100º temperature, job satisfaction was running high, described as "Fun!"

We're in business!

We have earned our first dollar (and more)! On June 24, Julie took seven pounds of Okanis Garden summer squash (the yellow ones in the picture) and sold it to the Community Mercantile Deli to be made into delectable deli dishes. We are reminded with gratitude of the faith and encouragement that Sula Teller, director of food services at the Merc, has shown for our garden-- Prairie Moon's entry into the local food system of the Lawrence area.
The other squashes we will cook into some treats for visitors we expect to the garden next week.

Regarding Earth

During the Prairie Moon grades Summer Session I, “Earth,” June 8 - 19, the students interacted with the garden in the following ways:

- They began drawing maps of their own grades garden, measuring it, and then drawing it to scale on poster board. They determined what symbol should represent certain kinds of plants. 

- They observed, collected, and drew detailed sketches of many different kinds of insects found in the Okanis Garden. Two insects that were most enthralling were the wheel-bug nymph (assassin bug) and many different types of lady bugs. The drawings were kept in handmade nature journals.

- Teacher Ms. Dana and the students set up a worm-compost bin, and discussed the importance of worms to the soil. As of the end of the session, the students had not yet procured worms for the bin.

- The children helped Miss Julie fertilize the plants in the garden with the fish emulsion solution. She explained how the fertilizer is made and how it benefits the plants.

- The children helped to weed and mulch the garden on a daily basis. They paid special attention to keeping the straw mulch pulled up high around the potato plants. They also watered the newly planted native peach tree on a regular basis.

- They identified the trees around the schoolyard and made a special effort to identify the many instances of poison ivy that abound around the school.

On June 17, the early childhood Summer Session, “Rainbow Camp,” planted radish seeds and harvested radishes planted earlier.

Straw Mulch

June 10, 2009: Already an entire large, round straw bale has been forked out on the garden. We are grateful for Prairie Moon parent Lesley Rigney's donation of a second large bale in addition to the first one. Heavy mulching is key to our organic garden's flourishing.
June 7, 2009, from Barbara: Looks like another week of dodging thunderstorms perhaps.

Up, up, and up!

On June 7, 2009, Julie reported,"All of our cucumbers and pole beans are up! The pole beans are all over two-and-a-half inches tall! They shot up from Thursday to Saturday. Some corn is up already too!"

Infrastructure

Here are some images from Rick, showing the irrigation system, the trellises, and the garden shed while it was under construction by Mr. Schacht's third-grade class.

Plant, Weed, Mulch, Water

Reported by Julie on June 1, 2009:
Sunday I planted the pickling cucumber and the yard long pole beans.

Last week I planted more zinnias, carrots, and transplanted basil and kale from another farm.

I weeded and mulched the leeks and onions.

I planted corn, birdhouse gourds, and when the latter seeds ran out, I planted the remaining pole beans and some lemon cucumber seeds to finish out the row supported by corn.

I mulched the two potato rows hardcore - over 1.5ft of straw to get good and high on the plant.

I'm watering overnight - it was a hot and windy day and there are a lot of seeds in the ground that need the moisture.

I also got chalkboard paint from Bret to establish a communication board on the new garden shed built by the third-graders.

Reported by Barbara on May 30, 2009:
David and I turned on the drip irrigation. Rows were extremely dry, and plants looked stressed from the extreme heat today coupled with dry ground. Seedlings will go down quickly if not kept moist. All rows are being watered, even the rows not planted yet. I'll go back early tomorrow morning and turn the water off.

I also delivered the shredded mulch bags and fish emulsion/algamin mix with a paint filter and the seeds: Yard Long pole beans and Painted Mountain Corn. I set everything inside the new shed. Also attached a note on the box about how to mix emulsion in 2 gallon spray tank.

There's the possibility of some severe storms the first of this coming week.