Fall in Full Swing
October 18, 2013 - A gorgeous fall day! Following a snack of fresh red delicious apples, the children played on the playground for a bit. The Junior Master Gardener students had the pleasure of spending most of snack time with Sarah Weaver, Orange County 4-H Educator, who talked with the gardeners about how a pumpkin grows, the basics of a successful farm business, and what it is like to grow up as an 8th-generation farmer in Madison County. Thanks, Sarah Weaver! Next, the gardeners all migrated to the Little Red School House to find nine sets of old clothing, a large stack of newspapers, felt, buttons, burlap, and twine. Scarecrows were cobbled together with the help of Mrs. Huelskoetter, Mrs. Tina and Master Gardener Carla Bangs. Thanks to all of the helpers! Ms. Lingo manned the hot glue gun and camera, and the children made wonderfully creative faces, including spiked hair, earrings, and even a cyclops eye. The scarecrows were placed around the Grymes campus, so please be on the lookout for them if you visit the school sometime soon.
Grizzly Gardeners Learning About Pumpkin Farming
Sarah Weaver, Orange County 4-H Educator, spent time with the Grizzly Gardeners, who learned that pumpkins seeds are planted in July using a corn planter, that each pumpkin seed that sprouts develops two seed leaves, and eventually a pumpkin plant produces blossoms from which the pumpkin fruit grows. The pumpkins have to be sprayed every so often to avoid mildew. Miss Weaver also discussed breaking even in her pumpkin growing business, so that she has a means of planting the following season.
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Building Scarecrows
The Kindergartners and first-graders worked in small groups with a Grizzly Gardener or Mrs. Huelskoetter to tie off cuffs of old clothes and stuff them with crumpled newspapers. The second, third, and fourth-graders worked with a partner to do likewise. After an adult safety pinned the shirt to the pants, the children continued to stuff the body of the scarecrow. Once that was accomplished, each group received a burlap head to fill and decorate with felt and buttons. An adult pinned the scarecrow head to the body, and the scarecrows seemed to come to life! The children spent time showing each other their finished products. The scarecrows look wonderful!
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Do you know a business or an individual who could donate plants, seeds, or supplies to the Grymes Garden Club? Contact the school to let us know! We have raised beds for vegetables, as well as a divide and multiply garden.
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Thanks Southern States, Louisa, VA
Thanks for the vegetable plants!
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Thanks Lake Anna Nursery
Thank you for the seeds for our fall garden!
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Thanks Sarah's Pumpkin Patch
Thank you for the pumpkins!
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