Even in the dead of winter, our “farm” at the School – when does a garden become a farm, anyway? – is abuzz with excitement and potential. Perhaps the most exciting of these developments: in light of a new partnership with a member of our community who happens to share our passion for sustainable agriculture and education, The David School will soon be home to many species and cultivars of fruit bushes and trees, including some truly captivating crops such as honeyberries, gojiberries, gooseberries, and elderberries. Our last day before break was spent planting 150 blueberry bushes – over 10 different cultivars! From the same collaborator we have also received a donation of two high tunnels for hydroponic production! We are currently in the process of preparing the back garden space for their assembly.
Leveling garden space to accommodate the new high tunnels- or trying to. What can we say? Drainage is hard to come by in these parts.
Also, our maple syrup project is chugging along. We have the first of our sap collection buckets out and when the weather permits, will begin boiling it down soon.
Engineering student Mason, rocking out in front of his maple sap bucket.
The chickens enjoying some mustard greens from one of our high tunnels.
Basil (for kitchen use) along with other herbs, sprouting happily in our seed-starting greenhouse.
Even with the frigid outside temperatures, our GA-installed high tunnel is allowing for the lush, vibrant growth of this rye/vetch mix, all the while adding organic matter and nitrogen to the soil. This was sewn in November to demonstrate green manure, as part of an ongoing experiment for my agricultural science class comparing mulches and cover crops.
This is so exciting – everything I ever hoped for from the Inch by Inch Project and more! Great work. So proud of my David School students! (rock out, Mason 🙂 )