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Garden Planning with Two of The Green Thumbs


Last month, D and other five kids - who call themselves 'The Green Thumbs' - designed, built, and installed two large mist collectors in their school garden as part of their six-week pilot program called LEAG. 

If you follow my blog at all, you'll know that I have the polar opposite of a green thumb. Is there such a thing as a black thumb? If so, I have that. But as the follow up for this project...



...the kids are proposing that families adopt a plot or planter box over the summer and take part in the Community Garden. Ummm...remember the black thumb?!

Well, I did what I usually do when I am ignorant: (1) I read and, if possible, (2) I sign up for a class. So, today, D, one of the other Green Thumbs, and I drove up to Watsonville to attend the free 'Starting Your Summer Garden' class sponsored by the UC Master Gardeners of Monterey Bay.


Carole King presented and led a discussion about everything from worm composting to caging your tomatoes. Then we filed out to the demonstration garden and watched her transplant a tomato.


The kids were inspired. I was inspired. We talked about how they get the word out to the other families, sharing the tips they learned. I just hope they get the summer garden signup out before I lose my nerve.


Both boys were talking about edibles. I am wondering about a pollinator bed. Maybe I can plant some plants that attract bees and butterflies.


Do you have a summer garden? What do you plant? 
This will be an interesting adventure for me!
Stay tuned.

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