Fennel Transplant Needed

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Life thrives at Stonewall Gardens throughout the year, regardless of the season.  Mr. Painter is in a constant process of evaluating and assessing the garden's ecosystems.  One area in the wildscape was overly abundant with fennel.  Fennel was introduced to the garden over a decade ago for students to not only taste, but fennel attractes pollinators and specifically the Eastern Black Swallowtail butterfly.  Students are reluctant to put everything in the compost pile when it comes to maintaining the garden's wildscape.  They suggested some other areas in the garden to transplant the fennel.  Mr. Painter agreed. 

What Mr. Painter did not realize was that the clever first graders had previously researched other plants that would attract butterflies and made a few purchases for the garden, parsley.  Of course Mr. Painter helped.

At the hands and voices of the students, within weeks we had a few more visitors in the garden, to continue to share and observe these incredible life cycles.

An important aspect of the garden is empowering students to make decisions and respecting their opinions.  Their desire to provide for everyone on the campus is an amazing character trait.