Mrs. Evans' class planting cherry tomatoes

Mrs. Evans' class joined us in the garden to plant cherry tomatoes of all different varieties (see sidebar for varieties). The students did a stellar job! The students crushed egg shells in their hands and dropped them in the holes we dug for the tomato plants. The egg shells will provide extra calcium the tomato plants need. The students then seeded the same bed with basil and dill seeds. The basil and dill will confuse the bugs that want to eat the tomato plants with their pungent smells. Plus tomatoes and basil go really nicely together in dishes.

Mr. Downs' 2nd Grade Class in the Garden

Mr. Downs' 2nd Grade class did a fantastic job in the garden this week. We talked about the importance of diversity in the vegetable garden. They planted six tomato plants and then planted the seeds of good companion plants as well. All around the tomato plants they seeded the edible flower borage (pictured above) and the herb basil. The borage flower is useful because it attracts pollinators to the tomato plants. The basil is important because its aromatic oils may confuse the pest tomato hornworms. When in the garden brush up against the basil or pick leaves to release the aromatic oils. The students were very helpful in tidying up the garden as well; they weeded the beds, straightened the gravel pathways and started edging the perimeter beds. What a crew!