Garden Updates
Growing Good: Mrs. Ripa has been managing the greenhouse and gardens at MMS for many years. Each spring they apply for the “Growing Good” program through Coast of Maine Organic Products which supports school and community gardens with soil donations. Team Highlands’ students helped to add new raised bed soil and lobster compost to enrich the soil for this year’s gardens. They look forward to “growing good” food while fostering community and healthy choices for the students.
Tower Garden Takeover Challenge: After learning about earth systems and interactions last fall, students on Team Highlands grew and ate lots of yummy veggies including basil, cilantro, kale, and bok choy. This spring, Mrs. Ripa posed a challenge, “Tower Garden Takeover” inviting brave students to go through the process of selecting seeds, sprouting, transferring to the tower, adding fertilizer, and monitoring growth and pH. There were a few challenges along the way, which included moldy and dried-up sprouts after a long weekend. This group didn’t give up though and tried again. They are hoping to enjoy a harvest before summer break. Mrs. Ripa shares that their plants look great!
