Soil Investigators

This past week, kindergarteners explored one of our garden's most valuable resources -- the soil! We asked the questions 'What is soil?' and 'What is soil made of?' 

To start our investigation, students gathered samples of soil from the garden and then they worked in teams to look at it closely and take it apart. They separated out as many different ingredients as they could see, using tweezers and magnifying lenses and placing their soil findings in egg cartons.

Students looked at soil in a new way, and practiced using tools: shovels, tweezers and magnifying lenses.

Seeds & Seedlings

Over the last couple months, kindergarten students have been saving seeds, planting seeds, caring for seedlings, preparing painted terra cotta pots, and planting seedlings in the garden!

They started last fall by shelling beautiful dried Scarlet Runner Beans that grew in our school garden. Late this winter, they planted the beans in plastic pots in the greenhouse. In February and March, they painted their own terra cotta pots in anticipation of bringing their bean seedlings home. Finally, right before spring break, they got a chance to take a look at their seedlings' roots and carefully transplant them into their own personalized pots. They even planted some of the seedlings in our school garden! We're looking forward to them growing up over the garden tunnel!

Scarlet runner beans -- shelled, then sprouting

Painting terra cotta pots!

Potting the bean seedlings into their hand-painted pots.

Taking their seedlings home!

Planting bean seedlings around one of the garden tunnels! These beans like to climb things -- the tunnel will be perfect!

Taking a look at the bean seedling's roots; planting more seedlings. 

EPACS Seedling Sale

Now's the time to plant your summer garden!! If you live nearby, it's also the time to get organic, heirloom seedlings, lovingly planted and raised by EPACS students, staff & volunteers! Click on the seedling variety to learn more about each type of plant. 

$5 for each 4” pot & 6-pack, $3 for each or 2 for $5 for 3" pots (Morning Glories)

Contact EPACS garden manager, Eron Truran, to order and arrange pick up at EPACS:

Eron.Truran@aspirepublicschools.org

Tomatoes, sold in 4” pots, $5 each

Cherokee Purple

San Marzano

Brandywine

Winter Squash, sold in 4” pots, $5 each

Golden Delicious

Gold Acorn

Butternut

Baby Blue Hubbard

Cucumbers, sold in 4” pots, $5 each

Beit Alpha (a Mediterranean variety)

Herbs, sold in 4” pots, $5 each

Thai Basil

Flowers, sold individually in 3” pots, $3 each or 2 for $5

Morning Glory

Corn, sold in packs of 6, $5 each

Strawberry Popcorn