Help Wanted

What do they say about the best laid plans? 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Recreation Division will be taking this summer off volunteering in the garden.  Therefore, we are going to need some help!  Also, because of our summer volunteer crew as it currently exists, we have decided to, for now, postpone selling at the Farmer's Market.  However, during our volunteer hours we will have fresh picked produce available for suggested donations.  This website will keep you up to date as to what is in season.  Feel free to drop by on one of those days and bring home some fresh produce.  No volunteering necessary to take home produce.

Summer Volunteer Schedule

No skills are necessary.  We will train you!  The garden will only be workable on our scheduled dates.

Watering will occur on Monday and Thursday mornings throughout the summer.

Volunteer days will be on the following dates and are subject to change.  Please check this website for updates before you come.  Volunteering will be cancelled due to rain.

The hours for all days will be the same 8am-10am. 

Tuesdays
June 28
July 5, 12, 26
August 2, 16, 23, 30

Fridays
July 1, 8, 22, 29
August 12, 19, 26

Saturdays
July 16
August 6

We hope that you and your family can join us!  We are going to need all the help we can get in order to be successful.  Thank you and we hope to see you there!

Planting Day

Tool and seeds wait for volunteers

 It was a beautiful June Monday morning. The day had arrived.  In every classroom, students had started from seed various vegetable plants.  Now, three weeks old with no further danger of frost, the seedlings were transplanted  by the students into the garden.

Swiss chard

The garden had already been planted with seedlings generously donated by the Cape Cod Organic Farm and blueberry bushes and strawberries donated by Country Garden.  Sixteen classrooms journeyed into our edible classroom that day.

Volunteers

Volunteers young and old assisted over 350 students transfer their classroom seedlings.  We were also joined by Farmer Emily from the Cape Cod Organic Farm.   As expected, some classrooms had greater successes with their seedlings and some classrooms had complete failures.  These were great opportunities for lessons.  We troubleshooted together with the students.  We talked about the hard work and dedication of farmers.  We talked about patience.  We also revisited the life cycle of a seed.  Despite some classroom growing problem, every student planted a seedling thanks to cucumber and bean seedlings donated by the Cape Cod Organic Farm.

Tiny hands plant a bean

 Techniques to planting seedlings were learned by every student that day and by some novice volunteers.  It was great fun to see so many tiny hands do such powerful work!

Tomato bed

After planting, the students were given tours of the garden.  They were all so excited, asking questions and eager to learn.  The day was very rewarding.

Touching the thyme

The best part of the tour was when the students discovered the fresh thyme beds, or as they called them the "pizza plants". 

Listening to directions

Mixed greens

Today, the school is having their field day.  Yesterday, we harvested one bed of our mixed greens lettuce for a tossed salad and hamburger toppings.  I think the cafeteria ladies were impressed!  Monday we will harvest the Swiss Chard for that day's lunch.  The garden has been successful in many ways.  I cannot wait to share more experiences with you about our growing season!

Photo Credits:  M.Caughey