Here is an update on the progress of the scouts toward Gardening Merit Badge. We have been meeting at the garden to do some weeding and harvesting. We also worked on requirement 3, talking about the nutritional value of above ground vegetables, tubers, and fruits. Next up we are going to talk about requirement 7. It deals with pests and diseases as well as solutions to those problems. The requirement left (5, 6, and 8e) which are visiting the county extension agent, talking about honey bees and working with a beekeeper.
On the vegetable side of the garden we have harvested lettuce, radishes, and a few carrots. We still have carrots, onions, green beans and lettuce in the works. The rabbits have hit the green beans pretty hard. Our peas sprouted, but were planted a little to late to produce much. I also let the scouts harvest a few things from my garden. We’ll probably plant a few things for Fall in our vacant squares.
On the flower side things are really starting to take shape. You’ve probably noticed a number of flowers from the butterfly mix we put in. It looks like there is going to be a lot more activity there in the next few months. The marigolds have done extremely well from our humble beginnings. They are very close to flowering and it looks like we will have some excellent blooms. The black eyed susans are progressing, but I have a feeling those will take a while yet. Unfortunately our petunias failed to mature, but the scouts are pretty happy about what is coming in.
–Courtesy of W.M.
The photos shown are a succession of pictures taken from June through October. They include the early beginnings of the garden, 6 weeks growth, 12 weeks growth, visit to a beekeeper, visit to Cleveland Botanical Gardens, and building a compost bin. In all six scouts earned their Gardening Merit Badge. See what it takes to earn the Gardening Merit Badge.