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Garden Journal1 On September 13, 2011 I worked as a biologist with my group. As biologists, we were allowed free reign over the garden. We snooped around with magnifying glasses called loupes and observed the plants. There was a weird spirally plant, the pine tree, apple tree, lettuce, herbs, veggies and tons of other plants. One of the broad leaved plants in our pond ecosystem had huge chunks taken out of it by a very hungry caterpillar. My group and I joked about the loupes (which are monocle-ish) as monocles and pretended to be evil scientists with inflated egos and an interest in dirt. It was an awesome day in the garden full of bustling activity.
 * 1) From September through November, my class has adventured out in the garden. Our garden is situated in the middle of our school in our courtyard. We have a lovely pair of garden volunteers who work day and night helping our garden prosper. We have gone out every Tuesday to tend it in four station : composters, maintenance, biologists and harvesters. Composters stir the compost to help the decomposers work, maintenance helps keep the garden in working order, biologists observe the ecosystem in our garden and harvesters pick and cook delicacies from our fresh fruits and vegetables. All of the jobs are extremely fun but without further ado, here are the journals.

Garden journal 2 When I worked as a biologist, I had to fill out a sheet of question as I toured the garden. Among the organisms, we saw garlic, lettuce, arugala, various flowers, a butterfly, flies, worms, fungi, ferns and an apple tree. I saw that garlic absorbs light and makes it into food, smells unattractive and has a protective outer layer. I also saw how everything in an ecosystem depends on another organism to live. I saw that flowers like petunias need bees and butterflies to pollinate them. I also saw that butterflies depend on the flowers for food and energy. Even in a small ecosystem, everything is connected.

Garden Journal 3

As a composter, I filled out a sheet answering different questions. Decomposers roles are to break down dead matter and turn it into rich, ultra-fertile soil. The soil is then used by plants to produce energy and food. The plant then dies and the cycle starts all over again, or it passes its energy on to another thing that then dies and voila… insta-cycle. Ecosystems depend on decomposers to clean up dead matter and revert it into good soil for plants to use again. Without decomposers, things would pile up until the whole world was covered with carrion, leaving no room for living organisms. Decomposers play a huge role in this world and without them the Earth could not sustain life.

Garden Journal 4 This Tuesday, I worked with my group as composters. We searched throughout the compost bins fertile soil in search of decomposers. We found, after a thorough churning, a [|pill bug] and a [|centipede]. Our group captured both and began to sketch one or the other. I chose to sketch the pill bug as the centipede might have munched on my finger. We also moved dirt from one bin to the other, ensuring fresh decomposition. All in all, we had a blast.

Garden Journal 5 This morning in the garden, I worked with my group as biologists. We searched throughout the courtyard answering questions and looking for organisms. As we were snooping around the lettuce patch, we found hand-sized holes in the leaves. It suggested that some insect or creature had been feasting on our veggies. The harvesters made polenta today and although I decided to give my portion to my friend, it smelled intoxicating. It was a beautiful day filled with busy activity.

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Garden journal 6

October 15, 2011 I worked with my group as maintenance. Liz helped us fertilize the veggies. We ladled out earth in and around plants from a bucket and spread it out. We covered a substantial area with fertile soil and had a great time. Liz explained to all of us how the new soil would make the plants healthier. It was a fun and productive day in the garden.

Garden journal 7

October 22, 2011 Today in the garden, my group and I were composters. We worked hard playing the roll of a decomposer by cutting and breaking down dead plants. We also did the average stirring of the decomposing matter. When I twirled the tool that stirs the compost, I twirled too deep, making it super heavy to pull up. I frightened Ms. Ferhani with my bellows of anguish and exertion as I heaved the tool out of the compost along with about 20 pounds of dirt. It was warm and sunny outside with the few birds yet to migrate singing to their hearts' content with every opportunity. It was a wonderful day in the courtyard full of excitement and work.

Garden journal 8

Today I was working in a special group because it was the last day. We cut chives (which taste like raw onions), minced them and put them into a concoction with the consistency of barf. The vile potion was soggy sun-chokes mixed with a sprinkling of spices, some type of sesame butter and a dab of salt. Yum! Lets just say that I spent 40 seconds and two heaping piles of soap tryingto wash it off. But it sure was fun!

CitySprouts is a great organization that brings fresh food and fun to schools across Cambridge. They work especially with the [|Amigos School]