Summer Fun

From Bud to Bloom at Beczak Environmental Education Center and the Science Barge

Another plant class for Mikro! This time at one of our favorite places, Beczak Environmental Education Center, in Yonkers NY.

After learning about the life cycle of plants, the kids did some coloring and a worksheet. Then they got to make origami flowers (which were on the tricky side, but really beautiful when done.) Mikro had lots of help from me, and I had lots of help from Beczak Educator Dorene Sukup. Finally, we finished our flower. They also made tissue paper flowers, and learned about composting.



Afterwards, we hung out with friends, then wandered over to the Science Barge, which is berthed about a block and a half away, opposite the Yonkers train station. It's a model sustainable urban farm, which generates its own power and uses purified river water. Its greenhouses use aquaponic and hydroponic growing methods.



Hydroponic system:



Aquaponic system:










Pretty flower, isn't this? Would you believe it is from a venus flytrap?



The science barge generates its own power using both wind turbines and solar panels.



Hudson River water is purified into drinkable water by this system:

Garden Goodness

Since we are studying plants, Mikro is super interested in our garden this year. He has agreed to at least *try* all the fruits and veggies that we harvest. So far, the only thing ready for picking has been the green beans. I have tomatoes, but they are still green, and the deer have wreaked havoc on our squash and zucchini. Our strawberries are not doing well, but the raspberries were growing well until Kevin accidentally mowed over several of them... The potatoes are doing well. This is the first year we've tried them, so I'm not sure how to tell they are Done. Guess I will have to do some digging (on the net, or literally...)

Come take a look at what is growing, and who is visiting!







































Since we are a Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat, it is especially gratifying that we have hosted two sets of house wren babies. And we have seen huge numbers of ladybug larvae, some interesting beetles, a chipmunk who seems to live in our yard, lots of birds, and, of course, squirrels and raccoons. We have also signed up to do Firefly Watch through the Museum of Science in Boston, and are collecting data on our sightings.

Our garden certainly isn't fussy or manicured. It's a little bit shaggy and wild, which is just the way we like it!