Whew!

A ton of work got done today!


Planting corn

We talked about needing a good foundation, healthy soil, for the plants - and then went to work.

One project was to build the "lasagna" garden. Layers of green and brown compostable materials, with a good amount of water on each layer,  which will decompose into luxuriant soil!

Layer 1- cardboard & newspaper - brown material

Layer of grass - green material

Another brown layer, more paper

And everybody's favorite layer, kitchen scraps....

and manure.

Tearing up the paper for the layers was even more fun than anticipated! I think this group can make anything fun.



Checking out the ads and articles

                       The other project was putting together the burlap growing bags. We laughed because  they ended up having unanticipated, funny bumps.

The bag in the foreground has a Bhudda belly. :)

After all the layering and bag building we planted. Our young gardeners brought the little seedlings they had been caring for at home and they went into the bags & the lasagna garden.

Planting the bags was a learning experience! There's a bit of trick to it, but they're planted and ready to grow!

(And in all the busyness of planting I forgot to get pictures of the finished product!) 

We have a good foundation for the garden, now, what about good foundations for relationships? Giant puzzles illustrated what it takes to put that together for healthy relationships.

If you ask our group about it they'll tell you that all the pieces are important and that if one piece is missing the good foundation isn't complete.

This is a longer than normal post, but there was just so much going on today at Hands for Growing. In the middle of all the work, dirt and sweat there was laughter and a pride in all that was accomplished. 

We're off and growing! 

Here's a great site for more on good foundations for healthy relationships for teens:  http://www.pamf.org/teen/abc/buildingblocks/

And, more info about healthy soil as a good foundation for a garden, and on lasagna gardens:
http://www.kidsgardening.org/node/21,