Earth Day!

Celebrating Earth Day, better late than never. Rather than celebrating Earth Day on the traditional 2011 date of April 27, this Coon Rapids middle school chose to celebrate it closer to the end of the school year with warmer weather. We were along for the ride to help with green tips, gardening tips and the actual planting of the flowers and shrubs on the property. Each class period throughout the day had a different activity to participate in. Some groups planted flowers, pulled weeds around the building and picked up brush and debris from a nature trail. Other groups picked up trash on the premises and prepped and planted shrubs.

All in all, it was a very fun and successful day. The weather stayed clear and beautiful and all of the students stayed involved in the task at hand. They even learned quite a bit about planting flowers! Below are some pictures of our day..

Our planting area in the first steps.
Baskets and pots had to be weeded and new soil was mixed in.
Students getting involved in the planting process.
Breaking up roots and planting at the correct depth for success!

The science class had started some plants from seed.
We pulled mature plants from the classroom indoor garden and planted them outside.

Our finished products!

Hanging baskets as well as pots are among the fern and iris already in the ground

Nearing the end of our day. Weeds are pulled and the mulch around the tree area has been raked up. Colorful flowers fill the planters and hanging baskets. Students added additional mulch to the planters to prevent soil from drying out over the weekends.

Baskets filled with impatiens, begonia and lobelia.
Thanks for letting Lynde be a part of your day!

Happy Earth Day!

I wish I could tell you to get outside and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine on Earth Day 2011...but the weather is telling me another story.

My ideal Earth Day would be in the 60s and sunny so I could eat lunch and dinner outside, maybe throw a ball around and play catch and top it all off by playing in the garden. Planting some pots up or a tree and picking up the inevitable garbage after the snow has gone away are some great ways to make a difference on Earth Day, or any day for that matter.

If you don't have the ability to get out and pick up trash or plant something in the ground there are a lot of other ways you can be a part of this day. It is the little things that make a difference. Do you turn off the water while you brush your teeth? How about while you take a shower? Do you use the end of water bottles or Fido's water dish to water your plants or just pour it down the drain? Do you have high efficiency light bulbs? Are your walkways lit by lights that are solar powered? Do you have a garden (when weather permits) that you plant veggies in? Do you unplug your cell phone, laptop, etc device chargers after you're done charging them? If it is daylight...turn the lamp off! There are so many ways that you can make a difference and get involved, everyday!

Don't let the weather be a factor in Earth Day 2011, what will you do this year?