Translate

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Parents: How To Build a Raised Garden Bed at Home!


Instructions* for Building a Raised Garden Bed

 

 

Supplies

Materials

2, 10’x1”x10” cypress or cedar—untreated rough sawn lumber

1, 6’x1”x10” cypress or cedar —untreated rough sawn lumber, cut in half

1, 3’x1”x8” cypress or cedar—untreated rough sawn lumber

1, 8’x1”x1” untreated post—cut into 4 equal sections

32, 2½ ” rust proof deck screws

Newspaper (if placing bed directly on grass or weeds)

1 cubic yard of organic grade soil (preferably mushroom )

Newspaper

 

Tools

Drill with bits

Sledge hammer

Hand saw

Shovel

Garden rake

Wheelbarrow or buckets to move soil

 

 

Assembly Instructions

 

1.    Pre-drill the end and midpoint of each long board with three holes (in a vertical line).  This is where the screws will enter to secure the short boards to make the box.

 

2.    With the short board sitting inside the top edge of the long pre-drilled boards, drill screws through both boards to assemble the box.

 

3.    Insert the third short board (8”) as a brace midway, and screw it to the long boards.

 

4.    Place the box on its predetermined location. 

 

5.    Use your sledgehammer, drive one (24”) stake into the ground as far as possible (at least 18”) at each inside corner of the box.  Cut off any extra so stake is level with top of bed.

 

6.    Secure the box to the stakes using four screws (two screws at each right angle of box).

 

7. Fill bed with soil, overfilling to create a slight sloping mound. 

Note:  If the bed is placed on grass or weeds, use four layers of newspaper and line bottom before filling with soil.

  

* Supply list and assembly instructions are based on UPE’s garden bed design as instructed by Triskeles Foundation.

 

 
Other Options for raised bed gardens:
Straw bales
Cinder blocks or bricks
Plastic containers (BPA free)
Landscaping ties (untreated)
Metal buckets/drums
“The Big Bag Bed”

 

Sunday, April 28, 2013

U.S. State Dept. Tweet!

"This vegetable garden acts as a diplomatic tool, encouraging
conversation between Argentina and the US." - Ann Stock
In celebration of Earth Day, Ann Stock, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, tweeted out a message about our sister gardens!
We all hope other schools start similar projects! 






Friday, April 26, 2013

Roasted Asparagus Recipe

 
This is one of Dr. Patschke's favorite healthy recipes! 
Third Grade Teacher, Mrs. LeForge gave the recipe to her! 
Dr. Patschke cooks asparagus at home once per week.
Dr. Patschke's daughter, Tori, also loves this delicious asparagus dish!
 

1 pound of asparagus, trimmed
2 tablespoons of olive oil
lemon wedges
salt to taste
Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.
Snap off the ends of the asparagus.
Lay the asparagus in a roasting pan so that they do not overlap.
Drizzle with the olive oil, roll until they are all coated.
Bake at 500 degrees Fahrenheit for five minutes.
Turn the asparagus and bake five more minutes.
Remove from the oven and serve with lemon wedges if desired.
Salt to taste!


4-11-13 Garden at UPES

This is a photo of our gardens taken from the second floor window of our school!
To the left is our pond, courtyard, shed, and outdoor classroom area.
 

UPE Staff Goes Global!

UPPER PROVIDENCE STAFF CELEBRATES
OUR FRIENDS ALL AROUND THE WORLD!
Educating Hearts and Minds = Peace, Friendship, & Happiness!

Working and Learning = Happy!

Mr. Bergey gives a fist pump to students who are working hard! 
Way to go gentlemen!


The sunshine was bright on Thursday, which is GREAT for our garden!

Adding stakes to our garden makes sure our plants grow straight and tall!

Learning is part of our outdoor classroom! 
We study and take notes about things we see!

Thumbs-up for garden work! 
These students are having fun!

UPES 4th Grade Music Concert!

Mrs. Ruffo's 4th grade class in their concert "doggie" costumes!

Mrs. Lownes' first grade class with their stuffed puppies! 
All children at UPES were encouraged to bring a toy dog to the school concert. 
What a great way to enjoy the 4th grade concert titled, "Doggie Town USA!"
A 4th grade girl in her "doggie town" costume!

Two 4th grade boys dressed as "boxers" for Doggie Town USA play!

 
 
Mr. Aikens, Mr. Nice, and Mrs. Pastino all enjoying the school concert!
 
4th grade dancers with guest "doggies!"
 

4th grade "Dancing with the Stars" dancers!



A Beautiful Spring at UPES!


Our school community enjoys beautiful trees in the spring time! 


 
While walking on the property, students enjoy the sweet smell of the flowers.

 
A sunny day, flowering trees, green grass, and a blue sky all make us feel happy!

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

continuamos nuestras tareas diarias.......
Que hermoso ver dia a dia el progreso,


del esfuerzo y dedicación de los chicos...

Monday, April 22, 2013

Roasted Beets Recipe

Roasted Beets with Greens!

(Contributed by Mrs. Pastino, UPES Teacher - She made this for her family over the weekend and said it was delicious!)


Serves: 4
 
Ingredients:
     
  • 4 medium golden beets with greens
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 small onion, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400° F.
  2. Wash the beets thoroughly and cut off the greens. Rinse the greens, removing the large stems and tearing them away from any thick center veins, and set aside.
  3. Without peeling them, place the beets in a small baking dish or roasting pan, and toss with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Cover, and bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until easily pierced with a knife.
  4. Set the beets aside until just cool enough to handle; rub the skins off under running water then slice about 1/2″ thick.
  5. Once the beets are cooked, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook until it begins to soften; add the garlic and cook for another minute more. Add the beet greens to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until they are wilted and tender. Stir in the vinegar; taste and season as needed with salt and pepper.
  6. Stir the sliced beets into the greens until heated through. Serve immediately.
Nutrition (per serving): 132 calories, 10.3g total fat, 0mg cholesterol, 65.5mg sodium, 284.9mg potassium, 9.5g carbohydrates, 2.4g fiber, 6.5g sugar, 1.5g protein

Friday, April 19, 2013

Groundhog Watch!

Most of what we planted last week was munched by one of the native animals, probably the groundhog that moved in under our shed last summer.  Yesterday afternoon our garden club replanted the beds and a organic repellent was applied. 

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Comienzo con la huerta

Los alumnos han comenzado con el trabajo  diario de la huerta...
vamos paso a paso trabajando conjuntamente docentes y alumnos....
hemos preparado la tierra y comenzado a sembrar.





Thursday, April 11, 2013

Plenty of wonderful helpers

Garden Club members enjoyed our beautiful weather while getting the three new planting beds ready.  Students are going to be planting later in the week thanks to every one's hard work.
 



More workers


 
Garden club members were mixing old soil in with the new soil we just had delivered.  The students really enjoyed getting their hands dirty.  We had record high temperatures for the last two days.

Digging holes

Mrs. Bailey and two after school garden club members are getting the soil ready to plant cabbage.

Getting our new planting beds ready

Mr. Bergey and Mr. Slichter are filling our new planting beds with soil.  Mr. Bergey and Mr. Slichter do a wonderful job running our after school garden club. 

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Bunnies in the Compost

Our Garden Club found baby rabbits in our compost pile, March 19th, the day they built our new compost bin.

Snow!

Here is a short video of a spring snow on our new planting beds.  Video was taken on March 25th. 

saludo

hola como estan es de prueba......

Monday, April 1, 2013

Garden

What's happening in our gardens?  Each school will post information about planting and harvesting. 

Parent Resources

Adult resources regarding healthy gardening.

Recipes

Favorite recipes using garden vegetables.  Please email recipe ideas to upegardenfriends@gmail.com  

Global Friends

Connections with other friends around the world.