Week 13 - Cucumber & Bean harvest + Protected Ag Presentation

I started off the day by harvesting cucumbers and beans from the garden. They did really well and look perfect! Now for the bad news, the cucumber plants' leaves are still slowly dying from whatever disease they got. But the cucumbers are still growing.

Key takeaways from the Protected Ag presentation:

Lack of bacterial contamination by herbivores = greater food safety

Types of hydroponic systems = Nutrient film technique, deep water culture, wick system, ebb and flow, drip system, aeroponics

Pros of hydroponics = up to 90% less water used, no chemicals, consumers get it fresher, reduces damage/spoilage/waste due to not having to be transported as far, more can be grown quickly

Cons of hydroponics = time consuming, requires expertise, requires 24/7 on site supervision/maintenance, needs constant electricity

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Week 3 - Plants + Plant Anatomy Presentation

The seeds are no longer just seeds! All the seeds have sprouted which is great to see. They will be left in the greenhouse until next week. Key takeaways of the presentation on Plant Anatomy & Plant Families: Shoot = Above ground growth Root = below ground growth Vegetative organs = roots, stems, leaves Reproductive organs = flowers, fruits, seeds Easily & quickly produced = leaves, stems May take longer = roots

Week 2 - Intro to Class and the Teaching Garden

On the first day of class we were given the syllabus, a tour of the teaching garden and greenhouse, as well as seeds and a seed starting tray. The greenhouse was really interesting because of the temperature regulation system and the various plants and hydroponics. I chose to plant watermelon, cucumbers, corn, pumpkins, and kohlrabi. I chose watermelon because I have never grown it before but it is one of my favorite fruits. Cucumbers and pumpkins were chosen because I like them and was interested in trying to grow some for the first time. Kohhlrabi I found interesting but I am actually not very familiar with it. After the seeds were put away in the greenhouse, we were allowed to take some sunflowers so here is a photo of them!

Week 8 - Watermelon + Photosynthesis Presentation

This week I have noticed that there is something making some of the cucumber leaves turn very light colored, and also a watermelon has appeared. I think the plants will be sprayed with something to prevent the discoloration from getting worse. My first watermelon Key takeaways from the photosynthesis presentation: Photosynthesis = Sunlight is used to form sugars (carbohydrates) from 2 low-energy compounds (CO2 & H2O) Diurnal fluctuations = Temperature maximum shortly after noon, temperature minimum at sunrise Optimum range = most favorable growth, varies between family, genera, species, and sometimes cultivar Growing degree days or heat units = The quantity of heat experienced by a plant, determines when the plant will mature Temperature too low = Water can freeze in cells and burst them, causing the plant to die Temperature too high = Chemical reactions shut down as their machinery stops functioning and plant dies

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