"Gardens make children better, happier and more helpful" is Tracy Mendoza's motto when talking about her students and their school garden.
September 23, 2013 Read more
How-to
"When students see pictures of starving children in Africa, it never dawns on them to ask 'why?'" This is one reason Tracy Mendoza feels teaching soil science is so important.
My girls love watermelon. We buy watermelon flavored candy, lip gloss, toothpaste, and drinks! So, of course, our garden has watermelon, too!
From the time you step off the curb, you begin experiencing the Smithsonian through their expansive gardens. About 20 Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia recently took a “field trip” to the Smithsonian Museum of American History.
September 6, 2013 Read more
"Start small, then let it gain momentum," is the advice Sarah Tucker would give someone starting a school garden.
Canning wasn't hard! If you can follow directions, you can can (get it?)!
Soil, water, nutrients, and sun will affect the quality and taste of the produce; therefore, we cannot always rely on size and color of the produce to know when to harvest.
July 12, 2013 Read more
I have found that many teachers want to incorporate a learning garden into their curriculum but do not know how to garden. This is not a big issue for the teachers if they collaborate with an experienced gardener, horticulture agent, garden club, or master gardener to help train the teachers.
Wait! Don’t throw those eggs shells in the garbage can! Those make great compost! Call me “scrap happy,” but kitchen scraps are valuable to me.
July 16, 2012 Read more
Since I have a small backyard garden, I do not grow any type of squash, like zucchini, because of the space it requires. Thankfully, most gardeners have more than enough zucchini and are happy to share.
June 26, 2012 Read more