Breaking Ground

Ground was broken on the Eagle Prairie Garden on Saturday May 29th 2010. It all started very early in the morning. The garden beds were carefully measured and then a sod cutter (sample) was driven through. Afterward, the ground looked like this:



Next, the sod was pulled off (rolled up in places it was thick enough) and removed. Then compost was added:


You can see there is quite a difference between the soil existing at Huegel, and the compost. The current soil at the garden site is very sandy and it will likely take several more compost additions over the years to make a significant change. To start, three heaping pickup truck bed-fulls were brought in.
Some fantastic volunteers then showed up, and the work of adding the compost to the garden really began:


It was a hot, hot day, and everyone worked very hard hauling compost and sod.

After the compost was added, everything was mixed with a garden tiller generously loaned by the Macklin family. A HUGE THANK YOU to them, Huegel Parent Amy Montoya, her daughters, their friend, and Huegel Teacher Vicki Hruska for their efforts. Without them, it never would have turn out like this!




Quite a dramatic change from the very first picture of the garden site!

Anyone who would like to volunteer at the garden should email epgarden@gmail.com or call Corrie at (608) 957-4469.

Next up: Planting Sunflowers!

They're up!

The seeds sprouted! The leaves visible in these pictures are called cotyledons. They are the first leaves to form for tomatoes once the plant breaks ground. True leaves will develop next. The seedlings will spend another few days in these cozy little cells. Once their true leaves form they will be potted on to larger cells. Check back soon!

Tomato Seeds Planted!

The tomatoes were planted on May 15. Four varieties are being planted this year: Green Zebra, Sun Gold Cherry, Chocolate Cherry, and Red Tumbling Tom Cherry.
The seeds are actually pretty tiny:



From each of these tiny cherry tomato seeds, not much bigger than the head of a pin, a plant can grow that is 5-7 feet tall. It could produce over 100 tomatoes during the course of it's life. 30 of each type of cherry tomato (3 types) are being started.





Not all will be planted - not every seed germinates - and there is not currently room for 90 cherry tomato plants in the garden. Some will be planted and some will be kept as a back up. The tomatoes are germinated in a seed tray with small cells, each about the size of your thumb. They will get a good start here and then be 'potted on' to a tray with larger cells. All told, they will be 'potted on' twice before being transplanted into the garden. 'Potting on' encourages root growth leading to larger and stronger plants.

The Green Zebra tomatoes will go into the Oddities bed along with a couple other tomato varieties and some other surprises. More on those later.

Tomatoes germinate in 3-5 days so check back soon to see what happens!

Coming Soon!

Garden Bed preparation will begin the last weekend in May when ground is broken on the Eagle Prairie Garden. The garden this first year will consist of snack, demonstration, and sunflower beds totaling almost 600 square feet! Check back for more updates soon!