Children in the after school program, Discovery, at Hayesville Elementary have been learning how to build and maintain a raised bed vegetable garden.

From the article, entitled "Children Learning about Gardening", you can see the progress the children have made. First learning about seeds and plants and then building and planting a raised bed garden.

This week, the children built a trellis in each of the raised garden beds for either beans, squash, or cucumbers that have been planted. Over the summer, they will be making observations in the garden to identify beneficial insects and harmful insects. Then learn how to control the harmful insects.

The students noticed the plants were not growing as fast. So a soil test was taken and the soil was amended. The N. C. Cooperative Extension, Clay County Center is offering free mailing of soil samples (until the end of November) if you are interested in testing your soil. The test itself is also free during this time.

The plants are making progress!

This week the children at Discovery were able to use some of the basil from their garden to make pesto. All the children tried the pesto and most of them thought it was really good. They each had taken turns with the steps in making the pesto-clipping the basil leaves, rinsing the leaves, grating cheese, and measuring the other ingredients.

Home Vegetable Gardening Guide

This week, the students worked on laying cardboard and mulch around the garden beds. The cardboard acts as a weed barrier while the mulch helps with drainage issues as well as beautifying the area.

Today, the students had the opportunity to make pizza using veggies grown in their garden. Clay County FCS agent, Kim Terrell, led the class, teaching the students how to make a tasty & nutritious pizza using veggies and whole wheat bread. The students enjoyed being creative with the pizzas and enjoying a tasty treat.

The sign for the garden has been set up.

The children are continuing gardening during the fall.