Learning About Ladybugs!

We have officially started homeschooling and let me tell you the learning never stops around here! Just last week the Crepe Mertle Trees began sapping and you know what that means?

LADYBUGS!!!

They love to lay their eggs on the sappy trees so I get to share with you what we have witnessed the first week of fall.

I photographed the following photos over a 2 day period documenting the life cycle of ladybugs, it is amazing!

Ladybug eggs are tiny, smaller than a pin head.

The ladybugs lay them in clusters

just hatched larva are quite plain

a larger larva getting ready for the next stage in becoming a ladybug, notice the beautiful orange color it has grown

the pupa looks much like an adult ladybug!

this side view, if you notice, the larva bristles slightly in view where it is attached to the tree

An adult ladybug!

A couple more, notice the color difference, younger ladybugs do not have spots.

from a tiny yellow egg into a beautiful form of pest control

Ladybugs are a great natural aphid killer. These photos were taken in a two day period of several different stages of a ladybugs life. A typical life cycle of a ladybug is between 3 - 4 weeks depending on weather. Eggs hatch in 3 - 5 days, the larva will eat aphids and other bugs for up to three weeks, then pupate which takes about a week.

Hope you enjoyed & I would love to hear what you think about my ladybug life cycle, so leave me a comment!

I would also like to note I should have the final schedule for Garden 118 Ready by the end of the week and will be posting it to Facebook. I have a whole new idea which I adapted from an issue of Bon Appetite Magazine and a few new classes to add for Moms to enjoy!

Indian Runners - Our Newest Family Members

Today we headed to the feed store for more bedding and feed for the chickens and the most spoiled crested pekins.

The kids and I headed out to look at the chickens and other birds they carry when we spotted two little Indian Runner ducklings. 

We have been wanting Indian Runners for their benefits to the garden and the farmer. These little darlings were so shy and skittish when they arrived at out home this afternoon.

We set up the brooder, gave them  fresh food and water, then let them relax for a bit to get used to new surroundings.

Later we took them outside for a supervised visit with the pekins (boy did those girls get MAD at the little ducklings. I swear Flippy Floppy refused to come out of her house while the ducklings were out.)

We are just smitten with these little cuties. And we finally named them, meet

Jean Claude and Dolph (a reference to Universal Soldier since the ducklings resemble soldiers when they walk...totally geeky I know, but we tend to lots of geeky, nerdy things around here)

Have any of you raised Indian Runners? Any tips or advise for us, we would love to here from you. Leave a comment below.

Summer Homeschool Test Run

I have always had a love for teaching and learning. Passing on knowledge that I have to others is such a joy and watching kids grow and learn is awesome. That is why I started Garden 118!

After school ended for Allison, I mentioned to my husband that I would like to try homeschooling. I figured that summer would be the best time to give it a test run and see if I would like it and if the kids would enjoy learning at home.

I decided to create a work box for each kid containing everything they need for assignments. They each grab their work boxes and baskets (what's in the baskets will be posted next week) and sit down a the table ready to learn. 

Scotty's starting preschool. His box contains just a few basic things to get him excited about being in school.

Allison is moving into first grade. Her work box is a little more advanced, with a bit more mathy things and a real chapter book!

Here is a dissected look at Scotty's preschool work box. It contains a composition book, markers, colored pencils, a paint palette, and an envelope for the smaller items. 

The envelope contains small and large pencil, beads for counting, scissors, glue stick, letter/animal tiles for his game.

Allison's work box is very similar with the composition book, markers, colored pencils, paint palette and envelope for the small stuff. The only difference is the addition of a ruler (the mathy thing) and her chapter book. 

In the envelope is the small and large pencil, glue stick, scissors, letter/number tiles for her game and a rogue craft stick.

 I kept the schedule very laid back and fun and we spent most of the time outside exploring and LOTS of time doing science experiments. I have really enjoyed this time with them. Watching them learn and figure out how things work is SO fulfilling.

In a few weeks, my Allison will head back to school starting first grade. My heart is heavy letting her be in someone else's care for the better part of the day, bored with sitting inside most of the time, and not a lot of hands on stuff to explore. But she is excited to get back and see her friends. 

Tomorrow though, she has already announced the school assignments she wants them to do, I will enjoy the time  learning with her and Scotty. And if school doesn't go as planned I am ready to take on home school!

Fresh Rainbow Salsa

Is your garden bursting with tomatoes? When it is the peak of the season I love to make Fresh Rainbow Salsa!

 Everyone knows when tomatoes are in season you just have to use them in the most basic of recipes for the full tomato flavor to shine. My idea, always, is to chop some of those delicious vine ripened beauties into salsa!

My way of making salsa is very simple. Look to see what ingredients you have lurking about, chop them up, add seasoning, then eat with lots of chips or on tostadas like we did for dinner.

Just start with some tomatoes, the fresher the tastier. Add some red onion, white onion, colorful peppers (also from the garden) hot or mild or mix them up , cilantro, salt, lime juice if you like. Lightly toss together and serve. Very fresh & very good!

Enjoy with taco, nachos, or grilled fish or chicken, too!

What is your favorite way to use up tomatoes from the garden? You know mine, now let's here from you!

Homemade Ranch Dressing

On our first day of gardening classes I served veggies with my homemade ranch dressing. I got lots of great feedback on it that I wanted to share it with all of you!

I start by heading out to the garden to pick the herbs. Parsley, dill, and green onions. I also grab a bit of garlic hanging in the window.

You can also pick them up at the farmers market or grocery store it will still taste just as good!

 I then bring out the bowl and toss in some mayonnaise, sour cream, and measure out the milk, adding some lemon juice to make it buttermilk. I do use full fat ingredients, but I am pretty sure you can substitute low, non, or vegan ingredients and get similar taste results (I have not tried any of those, but experiment and if it turns out well let me know).

To the mayo and sour cream I add the finely chopped herbs and garlic, stir in some salt and pepper to taste, then pour in the milk add a couple more bits and stir to combine. 

SO good and so easy, give it a try and you will never ever go back to the bottled stuff again, I guarantee.

Recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing

1/2 cup buttermilk (I substitute 1/2 cup milk plus 1/2 Tbs. lemon juice)

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 Tbs chopped green onion

2 Tbs chopped parsley

1 Tbs chopped fresh dill (I add 2 Tbs because nothing beats the taste of fresh dill in the summer)

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

2 tsp lime juice

salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients, let sit one hour so the flavors can develop, then serve with your favorite dippers or salad.

Learning About Flowers

On Tuesday I hosted our Beneficial Flowers class. I had so much fun preparing for it, I finally put my art skills to use!

I am pretty frugal when it comes to teaching supplies (more time than money) so I grabbed a few sheets of poster board at the Dollar Tree and drew a picture of a flower.

 Here it is all colored and pretty. It was fun having the kids label all the parts of a flower as I described how each part worked.

 I ended up hosting the class out in the backyard surrounded by our gardens and chickens. It was a nice over cast day so the temps stayed rather cool.

 We took a flower  walk through the main garden and around the back to identify flowers and see bees hard at work pollinating flowers.

 When we were finished it was time for our craft. The kids planted a beneficial flower for them to take home. They had a choice of sunflower, borage, or Dukat dill. They also got to taste some bee pollen that I picked up from the Bordain's at the farmers market. 

I also laid out a few books that were about seeds and plants that the kids could look through.

It was a fun time for all! I can't wait until next Tuesday for the compost class. I just love compost!

If you would like to join us for our garden classes on Tuesday, please email me 

heathergc@yahoo.com.

First Day of Classes - Success!

Today was a great day for me. I conquered my fears of public speaking and had a blast doing it! It didn't hurt that I was surrounded by kids and good friends :)

I set up our front yard, the primary activity center with paints, color pages and garden themed books for the kids to enjoy while they rest of the group arrived. With the help of my daughter, she guided them to coloring and everyone got along SO well!

 After everyone arrived and we all settled down and met each other, it was time for the tour. Now this is an urban farm, not a huge 20 acre farm. We live on a third of an acre and the tour didn't last too long so that was perfect for the age group.

 When we finally made it to the chickens the kids had a blast. The chickens however, were scared to death. I think they spent the rest of the afternoon hiding in their roost.

After the chickens were put back in the run we headed off to work in the kids garden. This years garden is quite small since we still need truck access to the backyard. But it is just perfect for the 12 or so kids. We are growing one tomato, a zucchini, three peppers, 2 eggplant, and some marigolds. 

Everyone pitched in and weeded, watered, then laid straw down while I explained these steps.

After all that we headed off to paint the kids veggie patch sign. I loved the way it turned out. Originally I was going to have each child paint something, but in the end I decided to go with the hand prints with names under each one. I just have to spray paint it clear and then hang it in the kids garden!

After all that, it was finally time for snacks. I planned on handing out the basil to the parents on their way out but completely forgot, maybe next class I will remember!

I served up some delicious apples, cups of popcorn, string cheese, veggies with a choice of roasted garlic hummus or homemade ranch dressing, and cold lemonade. 

While the kids snacked everyone talked and got to know each other a bit better. I really love how this group of kids get along so well. They are all happy to learn and bright. I am SO thankful they are my first group of organic gardening students!

If you are interested in attending the Garden 118 Organic Gardening Classes please feel free to leave a comment with your email, email me, or like us on Facebook and message me for location.

Happy Growing!