Lee Budish's weekly garden update for the week of February 4, 2008. GOSH, DANG, DARN that Punxsutawney (new spelling word for the kids) Phil. The little rodent saw his shadow on Saturday, and if you believe the lore, we have 6 more weeks of winter. Who wants to teach the kids about groundhog weather technology? I dare you...If you have not seen the Giving Tree, Apple Video, what are you waiting for? Get the kleenex and smile... it's a Valentine from the garden. The video shows what is it is all about--- the children and hope for the future.

Now is the time to order seeds! Please check out the Edna Garden seed ordering webpage and order fab seeds from Botanical Interests, pass the info along to anyone you know who has a garden. Edna will receive 40% of seed sales. So, spread the word and the seeds! Even my mom in Brooklyn (yes, Brooklyn as if you couldn't guess) is buying seeds...Thank you!

TO DO LIST

1. Have the kids dry off the stones in the copper fire pit in the front entrance and have them write their most favorite word on the stone and then put back. We make a word "soup" each year. It is okay to write over the faded words, and please bring a sharpie and paper towels from the classroom. Ask them for their most favorite word in the universe and see what they come back with.

2. We need some worm food. Looking for kitchen composts. Does anyone want to bring in a blender and show the kids how to make a worm shake or a worm salad? Please, no citrus. Did you know that coffee grinds are an aphrodisiac to worms? Please bring in the leftover Super Bowl guacamole....they love avocado!

3. A BIG HIT! Worm stuff. Attached is a fun questionnaire that works really well with a buddy class or by itself. Make a copy and have the kids find a worm in the bin to fill out the form. Worm books in the library.

4. Weed out succulent area under the persimmons tree.

5. Pull weeds near citrus trees. If it doubt on what it is, do not pull, only do so if you are 100% sure.

6. In the K area you will see farm animals made of terracotta. We need to weed that area and then amend with soil. Please take soil from the new pile near the artichokes; have the kids fill wheelbarrows maybe 4. K area needs massive weed pulling. We need to clear out and create a sensory garden there.

7. I have three tree companies on notice so we should see more wood chips this week. We need to place on pathway between garden beds and citrus to keep those weeds down. And we need to dump in the area outside the greenhouse.

8. The weeds near the apple tree nearest the shed are out of CONTROL. Please tackle.

9. Keep searching for those snails and slugs in dark places. Promise: They are there!

10. Map the apple orchard with the kids, count the trees, and have the kids write down the names of the new trees. Do NOT, do NOT, remove the tags.

11. If your garden bed does not have any plants growing in it, make sure you add some soil to it. Take it from near the artichokes and be careful you don't bury the irrigation.

After winter break, we will start the greenhouse seeds. Yippee!
If you need me, please feel free to call my cell at 342-1870. Thanks again!

- Lee Budish

Posted by Linda Dunne on February 4