Key Concepts:

• “Organic” gardening
• Nutrients in soil, nutrient cycles
• Compost/Covercrop/Green manure/Mulch
• Basic needs of plants: air, nutrients, water, and light
• Basic needs of animals: air, nutrients (food), water, and shelter
• Seeds as plant embryos (they also need space to grow)

Student Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to:

• identify the major components of healthy soil
• explain how and why to put a bed to rest for the winter
• identify helpful and unwanted small animals in the garden
• explain the role of compost and mulching in the garden.
• demonstrate proper and safe use of garden tools

• Q&A Healthy Soil: Composting, Earthworms, Green Covers, Mulching

• Q&A: Cutworms, Wireworms, Lifecycle of an Insect