San Francisco Garden Show: Creating Paradise ~ Gardening for - PDF document

San Francisco Garden Show: Creating Paradise ~ Gardening for connections to nature Saturday, April 7, 2018 Jacqueline Bruhn jacq.bruhn@gmail.com gardennh.com Resources: Plants/Seeds: Swan Island Dahlias Renee Shepards: Trombetta di Albenga squash Toxic/poisonous plants: http://ucanr.edu/sites/poisonous_safe_plants/Toxic_Plants_by_common_Name_659/ Alameda County Master Gardeners: http://acmg.ucanr.edu Santa Clara Master Gardeners http://mgsantaclara.ucanr.edu San Francisco/San Mateo Master Gardeners http://smsf-mastergardeners.ucanr.edu White Pine Programs, Cape Neddick (York) Maine https://whitepineprograms.org Bill Castellon Landscape http://www.billcastellon.com/about.php Southpaw Catalog (for swing sliders) https://www.southpaw.com Cedarworks play structures https://www.cedarworks.com Slides: What to grow: edible flowers 


Points of Connection intentionality engage our five senses our bodies explore our world food, water, play/imagination, movement, exploring further create provocations/investigations

Design: enclosure & parts hidden from whole • views or referencing to house • lots of vertical lines or all curved • excellent soil, drip irrigation, mulch • low water plants, big to small • 50 cent plant/$5 hole • seek beauty • seating area • dedicated messy zone • sand area (cats) and dirt pile • swing options •

water feature • climbing tree • Growing, Exploring and Eating Food before planting explore dirt, seeds & explore finished item if possible - • i.e., when planting cucumber starts or seeds, eat a cucumber. Cut a squash in half. Let them get there hands inside. No rules. assist with all aspects of planting at all ages. Create areas where kids • can have space to “plant” and dig without rules. always have an area of free dirt for exploring, moving, soaking but ok • to have an off limits area that you fence off (bird netting and small poles work well) help preparing with grading, peeling, cutting. Small scissors work • great. taste and eat food in the garden (use organic methods, test for lead in • soil) assist with seed harvest for following season •

composting - chop, cut, toss. Consider having a worm bin • visit a farm where you can pick a variety of items •

Water Magic streams and falls without ponds/depth • moving water in buckets & being in water • water feature as a focal point or design element • Play fairy or bird or animal houses - build anything • dramatic play: capes, wands, head dress, crowns • pots and pans, measuring cups, sifters, funnels, cutlery, • wooden spoons, aprons with pockets create and serve food that is moss/leaves/grass..(Grace) • baskets & wagons & dump trucks •

collections/collecting - no judgement collect sticks, break or • build or dump outdoor kitchens, flower arranging • blankets & pillows • picnics with real food, tea parties where you make your own • tea from items you pick in the garden Moving Bodies swings, ropes ladders, stumps, rolling on hills, hanging chairs, • hammocks, swings for multiple kids • slack lines, movable guide wire • climbing rocks and trees climbing harness safety equipment • nerf “wars” - no ammunition •

Cantilever swing arm 4 x 8 x 12 • anchor to 3 fence posts • metal post higher wire • turn buckles • one way slider to raise and lower (Southpaw catalog) • For large tire swing: Eyelet Carriage Bolt, not lag bolt Beyond the Backyard find a tree to get to know • walking/hiking: maybe bring binoculars, basket for collecting, • gloves (and language!) sleep outside - go camping! •

make dinner over a fire outside • fly a kite • build a sand castle • Older.. hammocks & chairs • climbing trees & rocks • hikes/walks • picnics • get involved with school gardens • consider Scouts & 4-H •

In our increasingly disconnected world, all adults need to be proactive in facilitating and creating a deeper and more lasting connection with nature in children’s lives. What to plant edible flowers pansies, nasturtium, any herb that flowers, squash blossoms, lavender, rose petals, chamomile, daylily, sage flowers, violets *all herbs* especially mint (in containers) veggies that will be eaten! variety of tomatoes dried beans (even a small crop for exploring & eating) variety of greens - chard, spinach, arugula, kale, salad greens etc beans - string/fresh eating (purple, yellow, green) peas - sweet & snap colorful carrots fruits: rasberries, blueberries thornless blackberries, strawberries citrus: lemon, lime, satsumas apples, peaches, plums