First Time Teaching at Columbia Heights and their school garden

Last Thursday 4/10 was the first day of teaching at Columbia Heights. The day started off a bit rough. We had a tough time acquiring the seed which we were going to use for planting the microgreens because the door was locked and we could not find anyone in the greenhouse who had keys until 9:20am. We did finally get the seed. We are teaching two 7th grad classes at the Middle school. Period 1 is from 8:44-10:10 and period 2 is from 10:14-12:15. Our teaching is scheduled from 9-11am. We unfortunately were unable to make it to the first class this week, but got the seed in time to make it to the second class. With the class, we planted microgreens of peas and sundflower and did a short lesson about germination. We also allowed them a few minutes to ask any questions that they might have. As a part of the students assignment, they are to do scientific observations on Mondays on their own and Thursdays with us. 

When we got to the school, we had the opportunity to visit the school garden. The Blooming Heights Edible School Garden has a shed to store their tools which also becomes Bonnie Lohman's office during the spring and summer. There are benches in the shed where students can plant seeds as well. the garden also has a classroom in the high school with tables that the students can gather before going into the garden and a lot of storage space for tools and other resources. Bonnie, the garden specialist, has an office here which she uses during the winter and summer when the shed is either too hot or too cold. You can see the garden from the room and Bonnie told us that they are working on plans to get a door from this room directly outside to the garden because right now they have to walk down the hall and out a door in order to get to the garden. The school garden is located between the high school and elementary school which also has a family center connected to it. This creates a sort of microclimate which keeps the area warmer. Rhubarb is starting to come up now and Bonnie told us that roses flower 1-2 weeks earlier than in the open because of this. She told us that the students in various classes have been starting seed inside. Many of the classes have grow-labs which are shelves with grow lights and plastic side walls to help keep optimum temperature for growth. This is where we are growing the microgreens. The school garden also has a compost pile which right now is being held in one place by wire fencing, but Bonnie told us that they are working on a more permanent wooden container to put the compost in which will also help it to heat up faster and thus help provide optimum conditions for the breakdown of organic matter. They also have an area with tree stumps for seats where they can gather outside before starting a project. Other features include interpretive signage and raised beds. Unlike other school gardens in the area, there is no fence around this garden which allows community members to visit the garden on weekends and during the summer even if there is nobody around. Below is a picture of the school garden.