Seedling Scavenger Hunt

Last week, Ty from Urban Nutrition Initiative came by to plant some seeding transplants with our 5th grade students.  The 7th grade got the info, and headed outside to do some investigating.

At first glance, the little guys were hard to detect.  Straw is keeping them warm through the last of the cold nights.  It looks like we have some strawberries started above.

Red Russian Kale, one of my favorites!

This kale is the same as we have started in our classroom, only double the size!

 Though cabbage is easy to grow from seed, these cabbage transplants are already sturdy and ready for planting.  With the long, cold winter, we need a little jump start!

Ty is also going to bring back some wood chips to reinforce our pathways.  Next month, we'll be planting some of the tomato and pepper seedings we have growing inside!

...and the RESULTS!!

Our soil samples settled over the weekend.  When we came in on Monday, we were able to measure the visible layers of sand, silt, and clay.

If you look closely, you can see the thin layer of clay resting on top of the lighter-colored sand and silt.

Using a simple formula, we were able to calculate the percentages of sand, silt, and clay in our garden.

We used this fantastic 3-axis graph, called a soil texture triangle, to determine our soil type.

We got. . . (drumroll). . . LOAM!

 Loamy soil is ideal for growing vegetables.  In general, it contains more nutrients and humus than sandy soils, it has better infiltration and drainage than silty soils, and it's easier to till than clayey soils.  Jackpot!

Soil Testing

Today we collected soil samples from our garden.  We're testing our soil texture to be sure we will be growing some amazing crops!

 After watching the documentary "Dirt: The Movie!," some students felt compelled to smell our soil.  "It smells like grass," says one student.  She may or may not have tasted the dirt as well (don't try this at home).

 Take a good whiff!  "Smells like dirt."  True.

 We scooped up soil from all of our garden plots.  This is Plot C.  See the HUGE rosemary bush in the background?  It will come back to life soon enough.

Using a trowel to take a sample from Plot B, she's being sure to eliminate any rocks, twigs, and weeds from her sample ;)

 Dirt.  Soil.  "The skin of the Earth."

 Mr. Sam mixed up some detergent and water.  The soap acts as a dispersant to help separate the soil particles.  We added about 3 tablespoons.

  Tree hugger!

 After filling the jars the rest of the way with water, we had to shake things up!  I think there is a limit to how much shaking you should do, however.  Apparently, these glass jars ARE breakable...

The samples are resting in our science center.  We'll check them out Monday and post our results!