Presentation of Learning: Trial and Error in the Garden

Did you know that one of the best ways to protect strawberries from getting chomped on by pill bugs is to enclose them in a chiffon bag while they’re ripening? Safeguarding baby strawberries in this way is just one of the many things 6th grade iLEAD Exploration learner London S. figured out in his years of weekly volunteer work at the Topanga Community Center Garden and Compost Hub. The biggest lesson he has learned, however, is that gardening involves a great deal of trial and error.

London began volunteering at the TCC every week starting in 3rd grade as part of a “farm school” curriculum his mother, Kristine, designed to include volunteer work at both the Topanga Community Garden and Big Heart Ranch. She sought to not only provide community service but to also offset the disconnection from nature so prevalent in tech-heavy modern life. Since London has been passionate about computer science from a very young age, the farm school curriculum was meant to balance out his interest in technology with access to and experience in farm and ranch lifestyles. “Becoming well-versed in gardening, composting, and animal husbandry is rare for children in Los Angeles but was possible thanks to iLEAD Exploration,” Kristine said.

Over the past three years, London has learned all about the various kinds of seeds as well as non-genetically modified organisms vs. genetically modified organisms. He has learned about organic fertilizing vs. non-organic as well as pest control, both organic methods and non-organic, chemical ones. After exploring these possibilities, London and his family opted to garden their plot with non-GMO, organic growing practices.

To prepare for spring, London would plant seeds at home to observe germination and to give the seedlings a protected start. He found that some seeds grow and others never do. This past spring, London planted strawberries, eggplants, and little yellow tomatoes with great success. London also worked to find ways to outwit various pests, including the aforementioned pill bugs as well as field mice and squirrels who wanted their share too. The furry pests were kept out by rocks piled around the garden bed. Trial and error in action!

London and his mom also tend the compost bins each week at the garden. They stir the bins and water them. Decomposer insects (the garden good guys) need air and water to decompose the materials and London is in charge of their health and well-being. The compost he creates takes about three months, from kitchen scraps to highly sought after “black gold” for the garden.

While London, now a busy middle schooler, enjoys community service and was able to devote more time toward it during his elementary years, he has recently chosen to let his work with the garden and compost community go for now to create more time for his interests, including working toward his black belt in tae kwon do, participating in the Malibu Marlins Swim Team, and taking college-level computer science and Japanese language courses. He will continue his community service with the animals at Big Heart Ranch each week, and we’re all looking forward to a presentation of learning on his work there!

“Farm School” Resources

• 2nd Grade: All About Plants Homeschool Unit
• 3rd Grade: Harbor and Sprout: Botany
• 4th Grade: Harbor and Sprout: Entomology
• 5th Grade: REAL Science Odyssey Biology Level 1
• 6th Grade: REAL Science Odyssey: Biology Level 2 and
• 6th Grade: For the Love of Homeschooling Seeds and Planting Nature Unit