The Natural Teachers Year: 5 Jobs to Do/Summer
The Natural Teachers Year
5 Jobs to Do: Summer
I always know I am in the thick of summer when I can hear the cicadas sing. Listen here! At the same time, I can sense a shift in the air with Fall just around the corner. There is always a feeling of holding on to the long summer days and celebrating; along with, quietly preparing for the beginning of a new school year. With every season there are several jobs to do within our Outdoor Classrooms. These jobs help us sustain our gardens and flow into each season smoothly. Here are a few to keep you on your toes.
In Gardens that Feed:
- Harvest crops as they mature
- Water plants during dry spells
- Tie up climbing crops
- Remove weeds
- Collect seeds (late summer)
In Gardens that Attract Wildlife
- Deadhead flowering plants
- Replenish bird feeders with seed
- Consider becoming a Bee Keeper
- Add a bird bath
- Paint birdhouses, butterfly houses and bat houses
In Gardens Rooted in Curriculum
- Add a mailbox to your garden and put a book inside
- Add signs for each garden bed
- Label each plant
- Create a name for your Outdoor Classroom & make a welcome sign
- Paint rocks
In Gardens that Honor Intergenerational Connections
- Reach out to your local senior center
- Write letters
- Share the harvest
- Make a bouquet of flowers
- Plan a tea party in the garden
I want to hear from you! What jobs are you doing this summer in your Outdoor Classroom? Share your ideas below.
Leave A Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
3 Comments
During the Summer, teacher take turns popping by the school to care for the garden beds and animals. I am loving the idea of putting a mail box near the garden and placing a book inside – sounds perfect! It may encourage me to garden more knowing I can take breaks flipping through a book. My goal this new year is to get more involved in my schools garden and seed education.
I had to smile when thinking of the image of your gardening…then taking a break and reading a book. A wonderful goal for 2019!
I have been busy watering my garden at home. Sad to see the brown grass all around, but I am happily filling my hummingbird feeder twice a week. These birds have been a source of enjoyment. I have been reading outside only to be distracted by the lovely creatures. My school garden looks well even with lack of water. Perennials are surviving. Hopefully there will be plenty to make a bouquet at our entrance to the outdoor classroom for the first day of school. I have taken photos of the summer blooms so that I can map out the garden this fall. It would be nice to rearrange plants that are crowded. My friend gave me her Birds and Blooms magazines when she finished reading them. I love the photos. They would make a nice matching game for the fall.