We have wrapped up the summer harvest at the Don Fenocchio Learning Garden in Clarksburg. Tomatoes, pumpkins, summer squash, zinnias, and sunflowers filled the beds, and the students were thrilled to see and eat what they had grown.          

We had four clean-up days with parents and students, and then we planted our winter garden.                                         

Over 300 students (pre-tk through sixth grade) came in shifts over two days to plant cauliflower, beets, broccoli, lettuce, kale, and sweet peas. We then needed a few more days to plant the onions and garlic.

We three Master Gardeners took turns educating them about the benefits of winter vegetables and how to plant the seeds. We also introduced them to composting and vermicomposting. The worms were the hit of that day!

By making the winter vegetable garden project interactive, fun, and educational, we helped the students develop an appreciation for gardening while also contributing positively to the local community. It was a great way to introduce them to the cycles of nature, the importance of healthy food, and the benefits of working together as a community.

We held our final after-school Jr. Garden Club meeting for the season at the end of October due to the time change, and oncoming cooler weather. Their final project was to create a scarecrow to ward off birds. This season, they have learned how to weed and water new plants.  They watch eagerly to see an owl family move into the owl box. After they learned all about pomegranates, they learned about oak balls: what causes them, what lives in them, and how the ink used to sign the Declaration of Independence was created by grinding the galls and adding water. Of all the gall!  Stay tuned for more great stories from the Community Garden.