Thugs and Bullies

This week was about bullying. In the garden, we talked about plants that run over everybody else, crowd other plants out - and are, in general, thugs and bullies.

We also talked about safe way to control plants - and animals - that can create havoc in the garden. In Hands for Growing we learn about healthy relationships, and that includes having a healthy relationship with the Earth.

One of the plants that can take over and edge others out is our soft, beloved Lamb's Ear. A lot of it had to go. This was in our animal plant section, so in its place we planted (thanks to a generous donation)  some Dragon's Blood Sedum. We've never had dragons in our garden before!



An old-time way to safely deter pesky critters is to use a scarecrow. So, we put together our own scarecrow. Scarecrows have also been referred to as Scarebirds or Jacks-of-straw, so our straw brained friend was christened Jack.

It took a lot of stuffing and figuring out how to make everything fit and stay - but we got it done!

 

Drawing ideas for the face

Ahhh! Everybody is scared of the scarecrow!

Ta da!

 Jack doesn't have a face yet, hopefully next week.

Our new garden buddy - Jack

 For the relationship piece we talked about bullies and abusive relationships, and how to deal with those situations in ways that are safe and non-violent.
We talked about the harm that words can do, and what happens to a person who lives with abuse and bullying.

 There was good discussion and questions.








                                                                           

To bring home the point that once harmful words are out they're out there, that there's no taking them back as if they were never said
we did the toothpaste exercise.
















Once the toothpaste is out of the tube, you can't get it back in the way it was before.

Next week: Identifying Signs

Good Foundations

 Today was all about good foundations. We looked at what makes healthy soil, (because without that good foundation plants aren't going to be healthy), played in the mud a little trying to make soil ribbons, and then dug down to add "green" and "brown" items to our lasagna garden.





When it was all done we covered it up and planted pumpkins. At the end of summer we'll dig down and see how much has composted in healthy soil.

 After all that it was time for a snack. What better with this session than dirt cups? It has layers and gummy worms - and is just plain good!


  

 If a balance of micro-organisms, inert material and worms, etc, make a good foundation for plants, what makes a good foundation for relationships?

We looked at the Power and Control Wheel, kids identified things that are important to them in a relationship, what things would end a relationship. There was time for group discussion and individual work.

The day ended with the ever popular stacking game which requires teamwork, good communication and problem solving.

 

The winning team picked out of the prize bag, with the other team following them.

I'll tell you, that bag is pretty exciting!



Next week: Handling Conflict

Boundaries

June 5 

The heat is on! It was 91 degrees before we left the garden today. Watering was the first business at hands. Some of our larger vegetables have milk jugs buried next to them, with holes poked in them. We fill the jug with water, and it slowly empties out right to the roots. That way there is no run-off or evaporation. Other plants are in containers, and a few right in the ground so we have to be careful that we give the plants a good drink without letting water run off.


Today was all about boundaries. How boundaries protect, are flexible, that everyone has their own boundaries, and we respect each others as well as our own. 

One of the things we've learned the past years is that the local rabbits love the smorgasboard we plant each summer. So our boundaries in the garden include not only the pieces that define our garden and the raised beds that say "Don't walk on me!" but also, rabbit fences. They are made out of chicken wire, plastic mesh and snow fence. We surrounded the corn, cucumbers and carrots, peppers, and beans.

                                                    So, hopefully we'll have healthy veggies and disappointed rabbits.

After the watering (some weeding) and fencing we had snacks and a chance to decorate folders we'll use this summer.
Then, it was information about personal boundaries and games to help everyone identify their own boundaries and see how different theirs are from others - and to know that's ok!

That's it for this week! We are looking forward to seeing two of our members next week who were gone this week for a session on Good Foundations.
'Bye for now!