Notes from the Learning Garden: Little Sprouts Family Program

It’s been five weeks of our Little Sprouts farm classes here at WFCF. Each week we have focused on a particular theme (seeds, birds, worms), focused on a garden task (they are great weeders!), looked at a book relating to that theme and had something healthy to snack on.

In our third week we saw the sun after previous classes held in the rain, but no matter the weather we have been having a wonderful time and learning a lot. We have been listening to the killdeer make their distinctive call, splashing in puddles, feeding the hens raisins, flying like a bird to the distribution shelter to see the nesting barn swallows, watching ants, feeding the worms in our compost bin, planting, and eating radishes, lettuce and spinach straight from the garden! We also ate rhubarb pudding!

We’ve been learning about the farm, how plants grow and how to follow the garden path. We love when Farmer Erinn or Farmer Dan drive by in the red tractor! Last week, we walked out to the compost pile with the compost the families have been saving all week and looked for compost critters.







Today, we discovered that there is a whole rainbow of colors in the garden: yellow sunflowers, green leaves, and even purple cabbage!

By Paula Jordan, Farm Educator, WFCF

Spring Has Sprung! (and so have our seedlings)

This may sound crazy to anyone who has not started their own seeds before, but seeing tiny sprouts emerge from trays full of soil while cold winds (and sometimes snow) blow around outside is one of the most exciting experiences of my whole year. Perhaps it is seeing green amongst so much brown and grey? Perhaps it is the thought of new life and new beginnings? Whatever it is, I absolutely love it.

Cabbage Seedlings in the Learning Garden Greenhouse

Keeping the rodents at bay (hopefully!)

Beets!

If you weren't able to plant seeds and are looking for seedlings to get your garden started this year, come get fabulous seedlings grown by our very own farmers at one of our upcoming seedling sales!

Organic Gardening Workshop

No synthetic chemicals on these 'maters!

Waltham Fields' presents:
Organic Gardening Workshop

Tuesdays, March 1st-22nd, 6-7:30pm

Workshop Fee: $100 members/$110 non-members.

Whether you have a community garden plot, a few raised beds, an extensive home garden, or are interested in starting a garden, this workshop is for you! Seasoned farmer Amanda Cather will lead the group in both discussion and hands-on activities pertaining to fertility, pest and disease management, variety selection, and seed starting/greenhouse management.

Workshop sessions will also feature guest speakers focusing on topics such as composting and container gardening, and will end with a field trip to see a fabulous example of a home gardening vision that has become a reality!

Image by Rebekah Carter (2010).

Register today!

Fee assistance available. To inquire email Jericho.