Category Archives: Instructional Activities

Mushrooms in your Vegetable School Garden

During mild, wet, winter months it is not uncommon to see mushrooms growing among your vegetables. With mushrooms invariably come questions: what is it and what do we do about it. First, DO NOT EAT THEM, mushrooms may be lethally poisonous, especially with young children and older adults. A recent case of mushroom poisoning occurred […]

Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program 2013

The Common Ground Garden Program of the University of California Cooperative Extension Los Angeles will be offering the MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER TRAINING PROGRAM, 13 Saturdays, March 2 – May 25, 2013, 9am-4pm, plus additional required continuing education opportunities to be announced. Important Dates: January 4: Last day to request application survey link January 15: Last […]

Late Season Squash – Trombetta di Albenga

Every season there is a star, a variety that exceeds our expectations either with fruitful bounty or with taste. Last summer it was chayote. This past summer the star was Trombetta di Albenga, an Italian, heirloom, vining squash, that when picked early tastes similar to zucchini only better. It can be grown either along the […]

Back-to-School School Garden Shopping List

Great article from University of Florida Master Gardener Program. It’s time for kids to go back to school, which also means it’s time for teachers to start thinking about their school gardens. You can help a local teacher and school garden by purchasing a few things on their school garden shopping list. School & Office […]

School Garden Creates Jobs at John Muir HS in Pasadena, CA

Job creation has been an important theme in our country the last couple of years.  President Obama is struggling with it, the presumptive GOP nominee is struggling with it, and Congress is struggling with it. At John Muir High School in Pasadena, CA, three volunteers have come up with a school garden model that is […]

School Garden Summer Reading

School’s out. Gardens are growing. During the summer you’ll want to inspire your children to stay active both physically and mentally. Reading and gardening both are excellent activities especially when the reading involves garden themes. Multi-award winner, Dawn Publications, of Nevada City, CA specializes in quality children’s books about nature. I have had the pleasure […]