Time spent: 4 hours
Action: work day
How Am I doing?: This is the last volunteering for me as I have completed my 30 hours.
My mentor, Loretta has taught me many things about organic farming and the techniques that are used. The last day was like any other, we continued to work on soil beds around the garden and also planted broccoli in the greenhouse as well as labeling plant boxes and making compost for the plants in the greenhouse.
After prepping the soil beds by weeding and sprinkling compost and alfafa seeds, we enjoyed our last moments in the garden.
After the senior project is over, I hope that I will be able to come back and continue to volunteer. Working in the garden was satisfying and interesting and I got to learn many things about organic farming.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Pacifica Gardens Day 9
Time spent: 4 hours
Action: Work Day
Next Action: work day
How Am I doing?: I am nearing the end of my volunteering hours here at Pacifica Gardens. Today we planted some medicinal herbs in around the sunflower beds. We were taught by another volunteer in the garden how to do so. I am not too sure why they placed the medicinal herbs around the sunflower bed though.
After planting the medicinal herbs we worked with remaining volunteers with weeding and composting around the garden.
Action: Work Day
Next Action: work day
How Am I doing?: I am nearing the end of my volunteering hours here at Pacifica Gardens. Today we planted some medicinal herbs in around the sunflower beds. We were taught by another volunteer in the garden how to do so. I am not too sure why they placed the medicinal herbs around the sunflower bed though.
After planting the medicinal herbs we worked with remaining volunteers with weeding and composting around the garden.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Pacifica Gardens Day 8 cont.
Time Spent: 4 hours
Action: The great sunflower project
Next Action: work day
How Am I doing?: The great sunflower project was a great experience. I have never learned how to plant sunflowers and did not know that they needed to be planted in a certain way. I also learned that another motive for planting the sunflowers was because the garden was trying to attract bees to pollinate plants in the garden.
Action: The great sunflower project
Next Action: work day
How Am I doing?: The great sunflower project was a great experience. I have never learned how to plant sunflowers and did not know that they needed to be planted in a certain way. I also learned that another motive for planting the sunflowers was because the garden was trying to attract bees to pollinate plants in the garden.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Pacifica Gardens Day 8
Time spent : 4 hours
Action: the great sunflower project
Next action: work day
How Am I doing?: We continued with the Great Sunflower Project and prepared another bed.
First, we loosened the soil with a garden fork, then we raked it all evenly and to get rid of compacted soil. After loosening the soil we sprinkled alfalfa onto the soil. Alfalfa is a component that helps with nitrogen fixing and rehabilitating the soil.
After all the sprinkling, we lightly watered the soil and covered it with a tent to protect it from bugs or wind.
Action: the great sunflower project
Next action: work day
How Am I doing?: We continued with the Great Sunflower Project and prepared another bed.
First, we loosened the soil with a garden fork, then we raked it all evenly and to get rid of compacted soil. After loosening the soil we sprinkled alfalfa onto the soil. Alfalfa is a component that helps with nitrogen fixing and rehabilitating the soil.
After all the sprinkling, we lightly watered the soil and covered it with a tent to protect it from bugs or wind.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Pacifica Gardens Day 7 cont.
Time spent: 4 hours
Action: Earth Day
Next Action: work day
How Am I doing?: We learned how to plant the sunflower plants evenly in the prepped soil bed. There were specific ways to place the plants in the soil and how to plant them into the soil. We had to only pick the healthier, bigger seedlings to plant and once planted (about 3 inches away from each other) we had to sprinkle them with water.
Planting these sunflowers felt rewarding, especially considering how hard we worked to dig the trenches in preparation for it.
Action: Earth Day
Next Action: work day
How Am I doing?: We learned how to plant the sunflower plants evenly in the prepped soil bed. There were specific ways to place the plants in the soil and how to plant them into the soil. We had to only pick the healthier, bigger seedlings to plant and once planted (about 3 inches away from each other) we had to sprinkle them with water.
Planting these sunflowers felt rewarding, especially considering how hard we worked to dig the trenches in preparation for it.
Pacifica Gardens Day 7
4/16/11 time spent: 3.5 hours
Action: Earth Day
Next Action: Work day
How Am I doing?: We planted sunflower seeds on the ring that we double dug. We used mini shovels and trowels to loosen the dirt section by section. Then we measured them 12 centimeters apart each time we planted so that there would be an adequate amount of space for each plant to grow.
Today was also Earth Day, so a bunch of people from the team went to Pacifica Beach to pass out Sunflower seeds and promote Pacifica Gardens to the public.
Action: Earth Day
Next Action: Work day
How Am I doing?: We planted sunflower seeds on the ring that we double dug. We used mini shovels and trowels to loosen the dirt section by section. Then we measured them 12 centimeters apart each time we planted so that there would be an adequate amount of space for each plant to grow.
Today was also Earth Day, so a bunch of people from the team went to Pacifica Beach to pass out Sunflower seeds and promote Pacifica Gardens to the public.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Pacifica Gardens Day 6 cont.
Time spent: 4 hours
Action: the big dig
Next action: Earth Day
How Am I doing?: The big dig was a challenge for me because we had to personally dig five inches into the soil. Also, because our soil bed was mixed with marbled sediment, there was bigger resistance in the soil, thus making it harder to dig. We had to make sure that we dug evenly so that the sunflowers that would be grown in these trenches would have adequate room to grow their roots and enough nutrients in within the soil.
I am excited to plant the sunflowers after laboring over this trench.
Action: the big dig
Next action: Earth Day
How Am I doing?: The big dig was a challenge for me because we had to personally dig five inches into the soil. Also, because our soil bed was mixed with marbled sediment, there was bigger resistance in the soil, thus making it harder to dig. We had to make sure that we dug evenly so that the sunflowers that would be grown in these trenches would have adequate room to grow their roots and enough nutrients in within the soil.
I am excited to plant the sunflowers after laboring over this trench.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Pacifica Gardens Day 6
Apr.9 2011 4hrs but we got 8hrs because of the intensive work
Since the weeds were cleared from last week, this week we learned how to double dig to prepare the soil bed for the Sunflowers that would be grown. They would be grown in the boundary circle that we made last week.
Before we began to double dig, we had to make indentations near the string at an angle to outline the soil bed. I learned that double digging would double the rate at which plants could grow and help the roots of the plants to grow deeper. We dug around 8-12 inches into the ground, carefully handling the topsoil. As we dug, we had to make sure that the soil clods were all broken to ensure that plants could grow.
Since the weeds were cleared from last week, this week we learned how to double dig to prepare the soil bed for the Sunflowers that would be grown. They would be grown in the boundary circle that we made last week.
Before we began to double dig, we had to make indentations near the string at an angle to outline the soil bed. I learned that double digging would double the rate at which plants could grow and help the roots of the plants to grow deeper. We dug around 8-12 inches into the ground, carefully handling the topsoil. As we dug, we had to make sure that the soil clods were all broken to ensure that plants could grow.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Pacifica Gardens Day 5 cont.
Time spent: 4 hours
Action: Weeding
Next Action: Big Dig
How Am I doing?: Weeding was a tiring experience because we had to personally dig five inches into the soil. Also, because our soil bed was mixed with marbled sediment, there was bigger resistance in the soil, thus making it harder to dig. We had to make sure that we dug evenly so that the sunflowers that would be grown in these trenches would have adequate room to grow their roots and enough nutrients in within the soil.
I am excited to plant the sunflowers after laboring over this trench.
Action: Weeding
Next Action: Big Dig
How Am I doing?: Weeding was a tiring experience because we had to personally dig five inches into the soil. Also, because our soil bed was mixed with marbled sediment, there was bigger resistance in the soil, thus making it harder to dig. We had to make sure that we dug evenly so that the sunflowers that would be grown in these trenches would have adequate room to grow their roots and enough nutrients in within the soil.
I am excited to plant the sunflowers after laboring over this trench.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Pacifica Gardens Day 5
Time Spent: 4 hrs
Action: weeding
Next Action: The Big Dig
How Am I doing?We weeded plants near the back of the garden in preparation of the Big Dig. There were stingers that needed to be taken from the bottom as we weeded.
We marked the ground and placed string around it in a circular form for the boundary lines.
We pulled a bunch of burr clover, that had to be thrown away instead of being combined with the compost because they would choke off the plants.
Action: weeding
Next Action: The Big Dig
How Am I doing?We weeded plants near the back of the garden in preparation of the Big Dig. There were stingers that needed to be taken from the bottom as we weeded.
We marked the ground and placed string around it in a circular form for the boundary lines.
We pulled a bunch of burr clover, that had to be thrown away instead of being combined with the compost because they would choke off the plants.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Pacifica Gardends Day 4 cont.
Time spent: 4 hours
Action: planting in the greenhouse
Next Action: I plan to clear more weeds in the soil beds in the garden
How am I doing?: After we planted brocolli and kale in the greenhouse, Loretta explained to the volunteers the importance of planting these and its effect on the soil. Also, the plants' nutritional content for the human body was another factor for planting these. Loretta also taught us in a specific way how to plant in the greenhouse and correct spacing for each plant to ensure maximum growth.
Action: planting in the greenhouse
Next Action: I plan to clear more weeds in the soil beds in the garden
How am I doing?: After we planted brocolli and kale in the greenhouse, Loretta explained to the volunteers the importance of planting these and its effect on the soil. Also, the plants' nutritional content for the human body was another factor for planting these. Loretta also taught us in a specific way how to plant in the greenhouse and correct spacing for each plant to ensure maximum growth.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Pacifica Gardens Day 4
Date of Service: March 26, 2011 Time Spent: 4 hours
Action: -Volunteer Meeting
-Flatting Sunflower seeds, Sifting Compost, planting seeds
Next Action: I plan to continue and rehabilitate the beds by planting nitrogen fixers into the soil. There may also be projects involving more planting and weeding.
How am I doing? I arrived at the Linda Mar Education Center for our mandatory staff/volunteer meeting. We discussed the overall progress of Pacifica Gardens-financial aspects, volunteer support, projects, and upcoming calender of events.
There were a number of things including Construction/ Infrastructure, Garden, Programs, and projects not budgeted or planned that were discussed.
Since the soil all around the garden was rained through and hard to work in, I was assigned to the greenhouse, where I was taught how to flat sunflower and broccoli seeds. I was introduced to the Cabbage family, Brassicaceae which included russian kale, cabbage, broccoli, bok choy and dino kale. Plants from the Brassicacae family are all rich in vitamin C and soluble fiber and contains the multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties including diindolylmethane and selenium. The 3,3'-Diindolylmethane found in broccoli is a potent modulator of the innate immune response system with anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity. Broccoli also contains the compound glucoraphanin, which can be processed into an anticancer compound sulforaphane.
Action: -Volunteer Meeting
-Flatting Sunflower seeds, Sifting Compost, planting seeds
Next Action: I plan to continue and rehabilitate the beds by planting nitrogen fixers into the soil. There may also be projects involving more planting and weeding.
How am I doing? I arrived at the Linda Mar Education Center for our mandatory staff/volunteer meeting. We discussed the overall progress of Pacifica Gardens-financial aspects, volunteer support, projects, and upcoming calender of events.
There were a number of things including Construction/ Infrastructure, Garden, Programs, and projects not budgeted or planned that were discussed.
Since the soil all around the garden was rained through and hard to work in, I was assigned to the greenhouse, where I was taught how to flat sunflower and broccoli seeds. I was introduced to the Cabbage family, Brassicaceae which included russian kale, cabbage, broccoli, bok choy and dino kale. Plants from the Brassicacae family are all rich in vitamin C and soluble fiber and contains the multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties including diindolylmethane and selenium. The 3,3'-Diindolylmethane found in broccoli is a potent modulator of the innate immune response system with anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity. Broccoli also contains the compound glucoraphanin, which can be processed into an anticancer compound sulforaphane.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Pacifica Gardens Day 3 cont.
Time spent: 4 hours
Action: continue weeding soil beds
Next action: plant spring vegetables and fruits in rehabilitated soil using organic methods
How Am I doing: Throughout the weeding process, I was taught by Loretta, my mentor how to weed properly. We made sure that I weeded out the roots of the weeds and not just the plant with proper weeding techniques. After we weeded, we added organic nitrogen fixers and compost to the soil to help the soil begin its nitrogen fixing process. I learned that this nitrogen fixing process is a key component to organic farming because it restores the soil naturally without any man made resources or harmful side effects.
Action: continue weeding soil beds
Next action: plant spring vegetables and fruits in rehabilitated soil using organic methods
How Am I doing: Throughout the weeding process, I was taught by Loretta, my mentor how to weed properly. We made sure that I weeded out the roots of the weeds and not just the plant with proper weeding techniques. After we weeded, we added organic nitrogen fixers and compost to the soil to help the soil begin its nitrogen fixing process. I learned that this nitrogen fixing process is a key component to organic farming because it restores the soil naturally without any man made resources or harmful side effects.
Pacifica gardens Day 3
Time spent: 4 hours
Action: Weeding at Pacifica Gardens
Next Action: I will start spring planting once the weeds are all cleared from the soil beds.
How Am I doing? : My mentor showed me which plants to pull in soil beds and which ones belonged in compost or garbage. We took out weeds in the garden to continue preparing the bed for future plants. We also pulled burr clover(which belonged in the garbage because they would outgrow plants), common weeds, and loosened the soil. We tilled and loosened the soil throughout the whole time period. Others in the team were also doing the same at different beds to prep the soil for spring planting.
Action: Weeding at Pacifica Gardens
Next Action: I will start spring planting once the weeds are all cleared from the soil beds.
How Am I doing? : My mentor showed me which plants to pull in soil beds and which ones belonged in compost or garbage. We took out weeds in the garden to continue preparing the bed for future plants. We also pulled burr clover(which belonged in the garbage because they would outgrow plants), common weeds, and loosened the soil. We tilled and loosened the soil throughout the whole time period. Others in the team were also doing the same at different beds to prep the soil for spring planting.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Pacifica Gardens Day 2 cont.
Time spent: 4 hours
Action: trimmiing the strawberry patch, weeding
Next Action: work on other miscellaneous projects around the garden
How am I doing?:After planting the grains and fava, we went over to the strawberry patch to trim the brown leaves away from the plants in preparation of the spring harvest. We removed only the brown leaves and weeds intertwined with the healthy plants of the strawberry patch with mini scissors. Doing so was hard work because we had to squat for long periods of time under the hot sun. I felt somewhat like a farmer after this task was completed.
Action: trimmiing the strawberry patch, weeding
Next Action: work on other miscellaneous projects around the garden
How am I doing?:After planting the grains and fava, we went over to the strawberry patch to trim the brown leaves away from the plants in preparation of the spring harvest. We removed only the brown leaves and weeds intertwined with the healthy plants of the strawberry patch with mini scissors. Doing so was hard work because we had to squat for long periods of time under the hot sun. I felt somewhat like a farmer after this task was completed.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Pacifica Gardens Day 2
Time Spent: 4 hours
Today was a really nice and sunny at pacifica gardens.
Our team prepped the soil by weeding, loosening the soil, and digging a trench around the edges of the soil bed. In order to help the soil rehabilitate, we planted carbon crops like grains and fava within the soil. The soil beds in the garden right now have a carbon mass of under 3%. We are working toward a 5-6% of carbon mass in the soil. After that, we placed irrigation tubes over the soil bed evenly to ensure that it had adequate water supply. We then placed white coverings over the irrigation tubes and the soil bed to protect the soil from being compacted or eroded by natural factors like wind.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Pacifica Gardens Day 1 cont.
Time spent: 4 hours
Action: Learning about Pacifica Gardens
Intro to planting, weeding methods
Next Action: I plan to start helping out in the garden after learning the proper techniques of organic farming
How Am I doing?: Learning how to plant, weed and more about the organic techniques used in this garden made me more curious and interested in this project. I like how Pacifica Gardens avoids conventional farming techniques which erodes soil and uses harmful pesticides and sticks to organic farming methods that don't harm the soil and it's organisms within.
Action: Learning about Pacifica Gardens
Intro to planting, weeding methods
Next Action: I plan to start helping out in the garden after learning the proper techniques of organic farming
How Am I doing?: Learning how to plant, weed and more about the organic techniques used in this garden made me more curious and interested in this project. I like how Pacifica Gardens avoids conventional farming techniques which erodes soil and uses harmful pesticides and sticks to organic farming methods that don't harm the soil and it's organisms within.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Pacifica Gardens Day 1 (senior project)
Saturday, January 29, 2011
10:00-1:30
Today was my first day at Pacifica Gardens at Linda Mar High School. I met my mentor, Loretta, who taught me the basics of gardening- weeding, planting, and making compost. Each step was new to me and it was interesting how you had to handle plants in a certain way and add certain ingredients to make compost. I had the chance to work hands-on with all of the above.
The group that I worked with spent time planting and tilling the soil. We removed harmful weeds and allocated a space for those first. We then raked the soil flat and sprinkled compost over the surface in preparation for planting. We sifted through compost and toured the garden as well.
It was a novel experience to learn firsthand how to create compost, plant several different herbs and distinguish between organisms that were beneficial or harmful for plants.
At the next visit, I plan to learn more about how their planting techniques affect the soil and more about plant production practices in the subject of sustainable agriculture.
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