Spring in the Garden

Apple blossoms about to bloom

apple blossoms

The garden is in Spring mode! The wisteria and calendula are blooming, California poppies dot the garden, the apricot, plum and pear trees are sending out green leaves, and the nectarine trees are dropping the last of their beautiful pink flowers. The apple blossoms are just opening. It's pretty glorious!

Wisteria flowers: Wisteria is beautiful but it's seeds are poisonous! A good reason why we have a 'pick only with permission' rule in our garden. Some things look nice, but can hurt us. Want to pick something? Just ask!

What's there to munch on in the garden? Winter veggies have shot up -- kale, collards, onions, arugula and peas are lush. Mint, lemon balm, thyme and chamomile are bountiful. Calendula flowers and nasturtium flowers are both edible -- add some to your salads! And citrus fruits are still on the trees -- lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit. And, believe it or not -- we have macadamia nuts! Our garden has three small but mighty macadamia trees that have produced many pounds of hard-shelled nuts this season.

Calendula flower -- a wonderful edible and medicinal plant. Use the petals of the flower to brighten up a salad!

What's to come? The rhubarb is pushing out, multi-colored potato plants that Garden Club planted are leafy, and the giant fava beans that kindergarten, third grade and Garden Club planted are sprouting. Strawberries are starting to ripen. Next up: summer vegetables! In April we'll start baby tomatoes, beans, basil, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins and zucchini in the ground! Do you plan to garden at home this summer? Now's the time to plant!

Strawberry blossom!

What have students been doing in the garden? First grade went on a compost safari and got lots of inspiration for making their own clay arthropods. Third and Fifth grade discussed classifications of garden critters and drew pictures of their findings. Garden Club has been working on weaving small tapestries and a willow garden fort. They learned about the work of author and illustrator Eric Carle and started their own garden art projects inspired by his work. They also had the opportunity to learn about native plant restoration with local non-profit, Acterra and take a trip out to the Baylands!

 

What do you love about the garden? What would you like to learn or do in our garden? What do you plan to grow in your own garden? Take a walk through our garden to get some inspiration!