Combating Nature-Deficit Disorder in the Garden

Connecting Kids With Nature

According to author Richard Louv, the greatest increase in childhood obesity in our history has occurred in the same two decades that the greatest increase in organized sports for children in our history.

“Pediatricians are now saying that this generation of children may be the first to have a lower life expectancy than their parents and its because of this sedentary lifestyle.”

Composting with a Green Solar Cone Digester

composter for food scrapsBackyard Solar Cone

We’ve talked about worm composting as a way to recycle food waste. But worms don’t eat everything and if you do a lot of cooking, worms probably won’t keep up with all your waste.

In my yard, I also use the Green Cone System as an additional way… Continue reading | 2 Comments

Natural Pest Control in your Edible Schoolyard Garden

Chemicals are toxic and abound everywhere. People apply pesticides and herbicides often without thinking about the consequences. The purpose of your organic edible schoolyard garden is to connect students with both nature and their food supply. It is also a place for thoughtful contemplation for the students. Commit to using natural means to control pests.

Most insects in your garden are beneficial, so you want to isolate the unwanted… Continue reading

Edible School Garden Grants and Donations

Our Fence Looking for some extra money to finance your schoolyard garden project? Try to unearth a grant to pay for your expenses.

Begin your search at KidsGardening.org or the National Gardening Association. Both maintain a database of current grants available for schoolyard garden projects.

There is also your local farm bureau. A… Continue reading

Companion Planting-With A Little Help From Our Friends

Aeroponics-companion-plantings

Aeroponics-companion-plantings (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many plants have synergistic relationships. Our ancestors saw this and practiced companion planting. Native Americans engaged in this practice by organizing the crops of maize, squash and beans close together and called them the Three Sisters .

Some plants exude chemicals from their roots or aerial… Continue reading

Worms – Nature’s Greatest Recyclers

Ian with Worm FactoryNature Rules: Waste = Food

In nature, waste from one species is food for another. That’s a good rule to ponder and an especially good one to follow. One way to close the loop on food waste, is to add worms to your life.

My absolute favorite… Continue reading | 2 Comments

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