We had absolutely GORGEOUS weather for our fourth week of Kid’s in the Garden.  It was so nice that the humidity broke and we were able to enjoy our afternoon without being quite as uncomfortable as it had been on Monday and Tuesday.

We talked about Frank and Diane scouting for pests out in the orchard.  They had spotted aphids – which eat the leaves.  Frank thought that he may have to spray for that but later on their scouting journey they also saw lady bugs.  We asked the kids what lady bugs eat?  Aphids of course!  Since the ladybugs were there to take care of the aphids we didn’t have to spray for that.  Frank and Diane did find apple maggot which is a gross pest and we did have to spray for that.  Frank sprayed on Wednesday morning and there is a 12 hour re-entry time into the orchard after the spray is applied.  Although we would have been right at the end of that re-entry time we thought it was best to not go into the orchard.    We have plenty of gardens not in the orchard to look at though so we still had a great day at Kids in the Garden.

We checked the rain gauge – 1” since the last week.  Such a different story than last summer – thank goodness!

The kids got to see how the back garden was doing.  The baby tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, summer squash, potatoes, swiss chard, beets, carrots, lettuce, kale, snap peas, snow peas, peas, and onions are all doing pretty well – some spots better than others.  We think the ‘bad spots’ are a result of too much water just ‘sitting’ and ruining the seeds.

Checking out Capri’s fairy garden – it seems to change weekly…those sneaky fairies. 

Diane put the kids to work and had them help with some of the hoeing in the back garden.  I know Cedi’s getting to be pretty good at it.

The kids collected fresh dill, onions, parsley, peas, snow peas, and snap peas to use for their fresh garden snack.Here’s Georgia helping to chop up the dill weed. I had to sneak this picture in – those sneaky fairies must have planted a corn seed one night – check out that stalk! 

Cedi and Georgia – patiently waiting to try their snack. To many of you this is going to sound completely ignorant but I never knew that you could eat peas raw.  They were quite tasty! 

The pasta salad was also a big hit! The mom’s even enjoyed it! Last item on the days’ agenda – poll time!  11 of the kids liked all three of the pea varieties, 3 kids liked two of the pea varieties, and 2 kids liked just one of the pea varieties.  All of the kids liked at least one type of pea – I would say that’s a success.

15 o the kids liked the dill dip, and just 1 did not.

Once our gardening class was done – it was time for a little play!  How cute is Kelin!?

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Today’s Recipes

Dill Dip

1 c sour cream

1 c mayonnaise

1/4 c chopped onion

1 T minced parsley

1 T dill weed

3/4 tsp seasoned salt

Mix all together.  Serve with fresh vegetables

Fresh Vegetable Pasta Salad

Vegetables – chopped

   use whatever vegetables you have fresh and available.  In today’s salad you could find – peas, snow peas, snap peas, celery, kohlrabi, cauliflower, onions, and dried tomatoes.

Bow Tie Pasta – use any kind (or none)

Dressing

1/4 c olive oil

1/2 c red wine vinaigrette

1 T. chopped basil, oregano, parsley, chives

or use bottled ranch or Italian