Compost Worries

Due to the snow I am a little worried about turning my compost. Although turning is necessary, adding too much water can harm the microorganisms. I guess that I will turn it anyways because it is such a small amount of water for such a large pile. I feel as though, it shouldn't harm it in the long run, seeing as water will seep through or evaporate. However, only time will tell.

Planting and CCE Gardening

The seeds are in their little starting egg cartons, in the window sill, and watered. So hopefully they will begin to grow. I did only one or two seeds per cell so this is kind of an experiment to see how they will do. The only worry I have right now is that the cold from the window causing a problem for the plants. I have other plants in the house near a window and they seem to do fine, but I will have to wait and see. Once those get started I might move them to a larger pot until it starts to warm up and the garden gets ready.
I was pretty busy this week so I did not attend a Cornell Cooperative Extension Gardening meeting like I thought. However, it turns out there is a discussion panel that is focusing on Home food production. This fits what I am doing so perfectly and I am very excited to listen to what some specialists in the area have to offer about home gardening.

Red Flag Post 3/4

How much time did you spend on your project?
2 Hours
What did you do that was hands-on?
I didn't really do anything that was hands-on, this past week was more research related.
What research did you do?
I did a lot of research on spinach and cucumbers. This helped my to gain insight into each plant I am growing.
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
Yes, We talked about setting some goals for myself to accomplish before I met with her next week. We also talked about me doing more research which did happen later in the week.
Do you have at least 3 journal entries? Do they include planning, recording activities, and reflecting?
Yes, They are mostly reflecting and research. I didn't have any activities because I didn't do anything really hands on.
Were you in class on this week? Did you have and use your journal?
Yes. Yes.
Do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was Inadequate? Adequate? Good? Excellent? Explain.
Adequate. I didn't do a lot of hands-on but in my mentor meeting I got really motivated and set myself some goals which I think will be helpful.
What are your plans for next week?
-Turn my compost
-Plant all my seeds
-Look into Cornell Cooperative Extension Gardening classes

Mentor Meeting 3/1

I met with Ms. Amodeo this week and she helped me to kind of lay down some goals for myself to complete.
- Turn my compost
- Plant all of my seeds
- Look into events at Cornell Co-operative Extension

I have a pretty busy weekend but I am going to try and fit all of these things in.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers are believed to have originated in Asia. They have very large leaves and either grow along the ground or can be trained to grow up a fence or trellis. Cucumbers are warm weather plants and prefer to be planted in mid spring long after the threat of frost has disappeared. This fact might mean that I may have to grow the plants inside for a while until the soil has a chance to warm up and ensure that the plants survive. It has a very short growing season and prefers to be in constant sunlight. Night temperatures around 60 are ideal for the survival of the plants. Cucumbers have both male and female flowers on the same vine, however, only the female flower will grow a fruit. They can have a very high yield if they have sufficient sunlight.
When being planted cucumbers like warm soil that is well drained. They also thrive with a lot of dead organic matter. This will be helpful to me as spinach thrives in compost as well. They also grow well next to beans which I plan to plant. The seedlings are very delicate and require that they be planted in inverted hills, like a downward cone, to avoid the roots being exposed if a heavy rain occurs. Multiple seeds should be planted in each hill in order to ensure that a few hearty seedlings start. Once there are a few seedlings they can be spread out in order to let each plant grow independently.
The cucumber is 95% water and therefore needs sufficient amounts of water to stay healthy. Large amounts of water can increase the impacts of soil compaction, so many people recommend mulching in order to ward off this problem.
Weeding is necessary in order to make sure that the cucumber plants are not out-competed. And when the cucumber is fully grown it is imperative that they be harvested because the plant does not begin growing new fruits if there is still a mature fruit attached to the plant.
Aphids and cucumber beetles present the largest pest problems. Aphids can be picked off where they have begun feeding. Cucumber beetles do not present a problem in feeding but they often carry a disease that causes the leaves of the plant to wilt and eventually the whole plant to die. Pesticides are often the most effective remedy. Luckily, due to there fast growing nature, it is okay lose a few of the cucumbers in order to remain organic.
Harvesting occurs about 2 and a half months after planting. Most of the fruit should be harvested in order to ensure the continued production of the whole plant.

Spinach

I decided I would do some research on each of my plants that I am going to plant in my garden.
It was first cultivated by Persians and brought over to Europe around 1100 A.D. It became very popular in many monastery garden all across Europe. Although spinach was popularized in America, due to it's use by Popeye, it has been found that spinach has far less, although still a large amount, of iron than was originally calculated.
Spinach is a plant that grows close to the ground in a tight rosette of dark green leaves. It comes in two varieties, however, New Zealand spinach is less well known, compared to its more commonly used counterpart which originated in Asia. Spinach is a relative of beets and swiss chard.
Ideally, spinach is planted in colder weather so it will be a good plant to begin early in the season. If it is two hot spinach tends to go to seed or begin to bolt. Good spinach weather is early in the spring or autumn and around 50-59 degrees. Many people will germinate their seeds in a wet paper towel placed in the refrigerator due to the fact that spinach, being a cold season plant, will not germinate above 86 degrees F. Spinach grows in seed clusters which means that I will have to split them once they sprout in order to make sure that they don't compete for nutrients. Uniformly watered plants are the best for spinach as well as well draining soil.
Aphids and Leafminers are the most common pests for spinach and require removal of eggs and aphids that already exist in order to ensure that hatches of aphids are kept under control. Many of the diseases that affect spinach are caused by aphids so controlling and reducing the aphid population will ensure healthy growth. Slugs are also a problem, especially for seedlings.
Harvesting of spinach can usually occur within 2-2 1/2 months after the time of planting if conditions are ideal.
Spinach has a very high Iron content and is therefore very helpful for those ailing of anemia, heart, and kidney problems. it is also very high in beta carotene and folic acid. As well as, rich in vitamins A and C.

Class 3/1

Class today was based on looking back on old wise students work and reflecting on how they went through the wise process. We also viewed a documentary that another student did. This documentary shows a very interesting relationship between two wise students as well as the relationship between a father and son. It really helped to give a view on the wise project and not that it is all about finishing your project but how this project causes you to grow as a person and find out what you are capable and not as capable in doing.