Caterpillars in the garden

There are at least 15 black swallowtail caterpillars on the fennel and parsley in the garden. Hopefully, there will be some of the caterpillars and chrysalises in the garden when school starts in 12 days!

For information on Black Swallowtail Butterflies see
http://www.gardenswithwings.com/butterfly/Black%20Swallowtail/index.html

BUTTERFLY WEED AND MONARCH CATERPILLARS

Yesterday, we found two monarch caterpillars on the butterfly weed plant.

The butterfly weed was a new addition to the garden this spring, and it is one of the few plants on which a monarch butterfly will lay its eggs.

For more information on Monarch Butterflies and their life cycle go to:

http://www.gardenswithwings.com/butterfly/Monarch/index.html

Our Next Project!

The present butterfly garden is doing great. This was our first step in creating an outdoor classroom environment. We are going to expand the outdoor classroom to the fenced in area behind the preschool. In that area, we want to build raised beds for various gardens such as: a sensory garden, an herb garden, a vegetable garden, a butterfly garden, and a worm bed. Since this area is already fenced in, the children will be able to be more involved in these projects.

These are some of the items that we are in need of :

- one or two large rubbermaid type containers to hold tools and other items

- bags of fertilizer and black cow
- plants –annuals like zinnias and cosmos
- plants- perennials and herbs
- any flowering plants from your yard that can be divided
- large stepping stones (the concrete ones you can find at Walmart)
- butterfly house
- bluebird house
- watering can
- large terra cotta saucer

- bench

- timbers for raised beds

-volunteers who have tools needed to build the beds.

- water hose that is durable and very long or two hoses that can be connected. (the existing water hose is not long enough and it is full of kinks)

- sprayer for hose

-soaker hose

Portrait Fundraiser

We had a good turnout at the fundraiser today! Thank you to Erin and her parents and to all who took advantage of this opportunity!!

Don't Forget the Portrait Fundraiser on Saturday!

Erin Campbell-Pope, Helen's (in Ms. Amber's K-4 class) mother, and her family are taking spring portraits of the preschool students on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 10:00 am for K-3 and 10:45 am for K-4.

All the proceeds from this voluntary fundraiser will benefit the butterfly garden. Erin’s parents have generously donated the photography, set up, and most of the printing costs for the portraits. They are delighted to give back to the preschool their granddaughter attends. Students are encouraged to wear their Sunday Best / Easter clothing as the portrait will be shot with a Spring Garden theme. There will be a portrait on display at the front of the preschool which will be an example of the style portrait you will receive at the fundraiser.


Look for the order form coming home with your child. If you want to participate, complete the order form and return with the $15.00 to your preschool teacher. Each Package will include one 5 x 7 and four wallets. Additional photos and sizes can be purchased.

Thanks to Erin and her family for demonstrating the volunteer spirit!

Please take a minute and look at the Campbell’s Fine Portraits website.
campbellsfineportraits.com (601) 798-4103

Flowers are starting to BLOOM

There are some flowers blooming or about to in the garden..

Also, there are some new additions to the garden- some blooming zinnias, milkweed- essential to attract monarch butterflies, and a yellow daisy.

Thank you to the volunteers who have donated pots, soil and plants for container gardens. These will be placed in the garden area this week.

Painting Tiles and Planting Seeds

There are a few projects that we are going to try to do by the end of the month. One is painting some tiles. The garden needs a ‘Butterfly Garden’ sign.  One idea is to have the children in the K-4 classes paint on ceramic tiles, the letters to spell out Butterfly Garden and/or pictures of butterflies, flowers, caterpillars, etc.  

The other project is to start seeds indoors that can be planted by the children in about four weeks.  

Madelyn and Friends

The Madelyn and Friends clothing show and ribbon cutting was this afternoon at the Beehive!

Thank you for everyone who came by and to all who placed an order!!

If you missed the show or want to add to your order, please contact Pattie Welch! The clothes, shoes, and accessories are so cute- and check out the pjs for boys and girls and of course the tutus!!

Thanks again!

Check out the Madelyn and Friends Blog for photos.
http://madelynandfriends.blogspot.com/

What do we need?

We are in need of some items for the garden. It would be great to have these items prior to the open house in April!!



These are some of the items needed:

- one large rubbermaid type container to hold tools and other items
- plants –annuals like zinnias and cosmos
- plants- perennials (Walmart now has a limited selection)
- two or three large pots around 16 inches or more
- potting soil for container gardens
- any flowering plants from your yard that can be divided
- large stepping stones (the concrete ones you can find at Walmart)
- outdoor thermometer
- rain gauge
- butterfly house
- bluebird house- to be placed in another area
- watering can
- Jiffy (or other brand) seed starting kit.
- large terra cotta saucer

We have already had a donation of pine straw! Thank you!!

We also need to have a workday- to clean up the garden, add mulch, fix container gardens, and to put in brick border.