Building a Fairy Garden

Today in the El Morro Garden the students got to use their imagination. We had Dani and Kim from Dragonfly Hollow Nursery stop by and give a workshop on how to build a fairy garden. They donated items to the garden so the kids could build one in our school garden. It turned out great and the kids were thrilled! Each student even got to take home a trellis to build a fairy garden in their own backyard.

On a sad note, the recent stormy weather caused our canopy to blow over and break, so we no longer have shade for the picnic table. And the wind also blew the covers off of our garden boxes, so the bunnies had a blast eating most of the produce that we've been growing, as well as Mrs. Goodman's cucumber seedlings. Gardening can be a challenge, but also a learning experience.

Seedlings: New and Old

The El Morro garden's produce is growing quickly. Some of the seedlings we planted just weeks ago are nearly ready to harvest. It's been exciting watching the kids watch the garden grow. We were also lucky to receive new seedlings for planting during the last garden club:

• Mr. Duddy gave us three Sweet Pea seedlings that were started at the district office.
• Mrs. Goodman's class handed over six cucumber seedlings that they grew from seed in class.
• 
  

Thanks to a collaboration between OC Waste Management and TVI, the garden also received a donation of woodchips to put in between the garden boxes. Not only does it make the garden look more manicured, it also covers the cardboard that was laid down to kill the crabgrass. 

Bugs and Broccoli

Another exciting day for the El Morro Garden Club...

In the Garden:

Our veggies are growing big. The kids had the chance to sample swiss chard and kale fresh from the garden. Most were eager to give it a taste test. Try it at home...you might be surprised! The kids were excited about seeing the actually broccoli crowns starting to sprout. We used rulers to measure our veggies and recorded the results in a chart graph. Most were more than 5 inches tall.

Activity Time:

The students learned about bugs...which ones are beneficial (butterflies and ladybugs) and which ones are detrimental (aphids). We used our bug cards to try to identify bugs in the garden...luckily we didn't find any! The kids also got to examine composting worms using magnifying glasses. 

Art in the Garden:

Each student got to paint a ceramic tile that we attached to the garden boxes. It looks so wonderful to see some of the children's art in the garden.

Thank you to Frana Sadler for bringing yummy rolls and jam for snack and Finnegan for bringing pretzels.

Featured Web site:

Savannah's Organic Ranch in Aliso Viejo

Recommended Reading:

Grow it, Cook it with Kids by Amanda Grant

El Morro Water Heroes

Here's what the Garden Club was up to this week...

In the Garden:

• The Garden Club students helped revive the Native Plant garden at the front of the school by adding additional native and water-wise plants.
• The students each received a Garden Journal to use as they desire. Suggestions were to draw what they see in the garden and/or write about what it looks like.
• We laid down weed barrier and cardboard in between the garden boxes to kill the crabgrass.
• Filled the bird feeders, painted the bird bath.

Activity Time:

• The students painted garden signs to identify the native plants we added to the garden.
• We had a guest speaker from the Laguna Beach County Water District attend Garden Club and give kids tips about how to conserve water.
• The students painted a rain barrel that will be kept on campus to catch some of that free water from the sky!

Thank you to our sponsors for their kind donations:

• Cardboard donated by Lighthouse Solar
• Weed Barrier cloth donated by Transition Laguna Beach
• Rain Barrel and acrylic paint donated by Laguna Beach County Water District 
• Seeds provided by Master Gardeners of Orange County 

Funday Monday in the Garden!

The El Morro Garden had its first Funday Monday and it was a huge success. We had about 80 students from all grades participate in our garden projects. We pulled weeds, raked leaves, water plants, and picked up trash in the garden. The students also painted a beautiful mural of the garden that is now adorning the garden fence. It was a fun day for all who participated.

Thanks to the PTA for providing paint and brushes for the event! We will continue to have Funday Monday in the garden on the 4th Monday of each month. All students are welcome to participate. We also invite parents to attend. Thanks for helping our garden grow!

Session Two: We're Growing!

Session Two in the El Morro After School Garden Club has begun. We kicked it off with making nametag buttons and teaching the kids the rules of the garden.

We also lifted the cloth covering our garden beds to reveal our growing produce!!! We are successfully growing several types of lettuce, and broccoli, radishes, swiss chard, peas, bok choy and more! The kids were so exciting to see what's growing in our garden.

Next class will focus on planting a water-wise garden and painting a rain barrel donated by the Laguna Beach Water District.

El Morro Garden Upgrade

On Sat., Dec. 18, thanks to volunteers from Transition Laguna Beach, we were able to successfully complete the following at the El Morro School Garden:

1.  Rabbit fencing along the 100' long chain link fence abutting open space.  This was no small feet, 6-8" trenches were dug along the existing fence then chicken wire  was attached to the fence then extended into the trench, then backfilled.

2.  Installed Drip irrigation in six raised beds

3.  Planted three of the raised beds

4. Installed three hoop houses over the raised beds as a insect and bunny deterrent.

5.  Cleaned out the shed

6.  Created an outdoor classroom area using hay bales for seating and a row of orchids as a decorative backdrop.

Special thanks to those that came out during this busy time of year and in-spite of the rain: Larry Casner, Sam Sabin, Richard Broming, Linda and Larry Elbert, Jeanne LoJacano, Anna Krajek, Nancy Cole, Chris Berry,  Sharael and her husband Jeff, Derek Brinkman,  and Cathy, we seriously could not have accomplished this without all of you!

This project would not have been possible without the dedication of the volunteers from Transition Laguna Beach and the generous contributions from the Laguna Beach Garden Club and the Laguna Beach County Water District. The funds will also allow us to buy the needed supplies to run a successful after school garden program. The El Morro Garden Club will begin on Jan. 10. We are also trying to initiate a lunchtime program.

On behalf of the students at El Morro...thank you for your support!

• Video fence installation video
• View the garden upgrade video