Category: Gardening

First Sprouts!

2/4/2021

Just three days after adding seeds to our our aquaponics system, we have our first sprouts! The salad greens have begun to grow!

Our current set-up is as follows: we have water from the turtle habitat actively circulating through the aquaponics system set on a timer. LED grow lights are hung overhead, and the water temperature in the turtle habitat is roughly 80 degrees, with the air temperature at a pretty constant 75 degrees. We've begun adding cuttings from our pothos and broadleaf thyme plants to the system in addition to heirloom tomato seeds, basil, and lettuce.

Aquaponics Update

2/1/2021

All systems are go! We put the finishing touches on the aquaponics set-up and began adding seed pods. For our purposes, we're using parts and pieces of existing materials and modified them to our needs. We added timers for the water pump and the lights, and began with nine pods comprised of salad greens and assorted herbs. We expect the first sprouts in a week!

A New Project!

1/30/2021

We're working on an exciting new project at the Kiddie Science Lab! Thanks to continued grant support, we'll be embarking on an aquaponics journey. The process involves cycling water from our turtle habitat into the pipes above, which will be growing plants using a soilless medium.

An excellent plus to an aquaponics system is you never have to water the plants! Nutrient rich water from the turtle habitat is sucked up plastic tubing by a submersible pump, which introduces it into the system. Once there, the water zig zags through the pipes and makes its way back into the turtle habitat. While it travels through the pipes, the plants are able to absorb and utilize nutrients (in addition to the water).

There are limitations to what we'll be able to grow in this amazing system. Root vegetables, for example, will not be an option. Initially, we'll be focusing on edible leafy plants that can be fed to both the chickens and the turtle.

Below, you can see what the system looks like once it's set up (without plants).

Next, we'll be checking the water pH, ammonia, and nitrate levels to make sure it's at the ideal levels. We'll be adding an LED grow light and making final decisions on what and how much we'll be growing.

The Autumn Garden

9/29/2020

As the days grow shorter and the temperatures get cooler, we transition the Kiddie Science Lab garden to autumn. This means pulling up the summer plants that have finished their life cycle and harvesting the remaining goodies. A layer of compost was added to reintroduce nutrients into the soil and give our new plants a great start.

Our fall garden is made up of lettuce, kale, spinach, basil, oregano, sugar snap peas, and thyme. We have cabbage and rainbow chard still growing which will be harvested later on in the season.

Watch our autumn garden grow as you walk past the Lab.

PLANT SALE FUNDRAISER

4/8/2020

The Annual Kiddie Science Lab Plant Sale is ON!!!! Learn more about the plants for sale below. When ready, you can place your order online and choose a convenient pick-up date and time.

CABBAGE (limited quantities)
Large and delicious, this leafy vegetable requires some direct sun and will be ready to harvest in about 60 days. Can be grown outdoors or in a pot located near a sunny window.

COLLARD GREENS (limited quantities)
Long, green, and leafy, this collard green plant enjoys the sun and can be grown in a pot. Ready to harvest in approximately 60 days. You can harvest all or some leaves and allow to continue growing.

CUCUMBERS (limited quantities)
Requires full sun and produces an impressive yield of cucumbers all summer long. Ready to start harvest within 60 days. Cucumbers can be eaten as-is or turned into pickles.

OKRA (limited quantities)
Preferring sun and heat, this okra plant is the type commonly used for soups and stews. Vigorous and productive plant, growing up to 4' tall.

WHITE SWEET ONION (limited quantities)
Plant in sunny location, with lots of space. Can be left to grow through most of summer to produce sweet onion or harvested early for use as scallions.

SWISS CHARD (limited quantities)
Delicious and colorful, this leafy vegetable needs lots of sun. Leaves can be harvested as early as 60 days, and new leaves will grow.

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BASIL (SOLD OUT)
Dark leaves with sweet flavor, this basil is excellent for pesto and salads. Prefers sunny area, can be grown indoors or outdoors. Leaves can be continuously harvested for cooking.

CILANTRO (SOLD OUT)
Best grown in a sunny area, Cilantro is excellent to cook with and also attracts pollinators like Black Swallowtail butterflies. This herb can be harvested starting at 30 days.

AFRICAN MARIGOLD (SOLD OUT)
Plant in full sun, very tolerant flowering plant. Once the yellow-orange flowers and drooping, they should be removed to encourage more flowering.

DILL (SOLD OUT)
Another excellent herb to attract pollinators, dill is very flexible and can be planted in full sun or part shade. Dill can be harvested as needed starting at 50 days. Excellent for adding flavor to pickled cucumbers.

BEGONIAS (SOLD OUT)
Shade tolerant flowering plant that grows up to 12" tall. Can be grown indoors and outdoors. Flower color varies.

JALAPENO PEPPERS (SOLD OUT)
Hot and delicious peppers, this plant prefers full sun. The 3.5" peppers are spicy hot and ready to harvest as early as 70 days.

BROCCOLI (SOLD OUT)
This broccoli produces dark green heads that are ready to harvest in about 55 days. This plant loves the sun and can be grown in a pot.

PETUNIA (SOLD OUT)
Flowering plant, tolerant of shade and mixed sun. Easy to grow indoors and outdoors, with prolonged flowering.

CHERRY TOMATOES (SOLD OUT)
This large plant yields an ongoing number of small, sweet cherry tomatoes. Prefers full sun and lots of water.

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First Sprouts!

Aquaponics Update

A New Project!

The Autumn Garden

PLANT SALE FUNDRAISER

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