After visiting Highgate Housing in Barre yesterday, I feel so inspired by what Brenda Brigham is doing this summer with her GFL Program and excited to share some new ideas with all of you. From growing a big bed of baby mesclun salad greens to making homemade granola and garden row markers, and learning the edible plant parts-- the kids at Highgate are having a great time gardening, cooking and crafting!
Learning the Parts of Plants
Make a board with a large drawing of a plant that includes each of the plant parts: seed, leaf, fruit, flower, stem, and root. Make labels with the name of each plant part. Using velcro attach the labels to the board. To play the game, remove the labels and then have children take turns placing the labels on the board.
Garden Row Markers!
Using recycled squares of tile and plastic stakes from the Restore in Montpelier, the kids pasted printed labels with the plant name on it and then painted the tiles. Once the paint dries, paint the tile with a clear protective “varnish” so they are protected from the rain.
Gardening Tip - Remove Tomato Suckers!
Tomato “suckers” are the leaves of the tomato plant that grow in between two main stems. By removing them when they are small it helps the plant direct it’s energy into developing the flowers and fruits. Kid’s love this activity!
Granola Recipe
4 cups rolled oats
½ cup sunflower seeds
¼ cup canola oil
¼ cup maple syrup or honey
1 ½ tspn vanilla
optional...
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
¼ cup almonds
¼ cup currants
¼ cup coconut
Heat in oven at 350 degrees and bake for about 20 minutes on a baking sheet. Stir if necessary so edges don’t burn.
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