River Valley Area Community Gardens, Inc.
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Busy Bees Garden Club

Busy Bees Garden Club

The Busy Bees Garden Club is designed for children ages 3 to Grade 4 who are interested or curious about gardening, nature, the environment, butterflies and pollinators, the outdoors.
It is designed to get students outside and let them experience gardening and nature first hand.
Application for the program is required.   Registration information will be available in March of 2024.
​There is a limit of 26 students for the program.   If there are more applicants than openings, we will establish a waiting list of families for the following year.

There is a Meet and Greet time on Sunday May 19 from 3:30 - 4:30 pm to meet instructors and become acquainted with the Gardens.  We will talk about planning what the students want to plant and then planting cool weather crops such as radishes, peas, onions, potatoes, 

The club meets from the first Tuesday in June through the end of July / early August.  
The first day of the program is always planting the student's raised bed with either seeds or seedlings.

We are asking for a minimum $5 donation per child to help with the costs of the program.    Funds are used to replenish the soil in the raised beds, repair the beds, purchase garden tools, seeds and seedlings for the students, and supplies for the learning activities that are planned. 

                                    2024 Flyer          2024 Parent Letter       2024 Registration Form
​   

Garden Activities

​Children will learn the basics of gardening, it's importance and it's responsibilities through the planting, weeding, watering and caring for their own 2 x 4 ft raised bed.  The children will select their own vegetables and flowers for planting in their beds.
They will learn how to plant a seed or a seedling, mulch a garden, weed, and harvest.  They will also learn about soil, pollinators, pest control, weed prevention, and the importance of flowers.  

Children will be given opportunities to pick and taste test fruit and veggies from the garden as it ripens.  They will also learn to give back to the community by harvesting veggies to place in the Free Veggies Kiosk on Westmor St

As time allows children may enjoy fun activities which may include a craft activity, story time, games, and scavenger hunts related to gardening and water fun. 

After frost, the group meets to clean raised beds and prepare the garden for winter.
In the spring, the group is invited to attend a work day to prepare the beds and garden for the upcoming growing season.

2024 Planned Curriculum and Calendar posted after March 13, 2025.
​
2024 Planned Curriculum with weekly garden tours and taste testing of veggies and fruits.  May change
Saturday April 20   Garden preparation - Prepping beds, mulching pathways, etc.
Sunday May 19        Meet and Greet  Activity: Plant lettuce, radishes, onions, kohlrabi, etc - Cool weather crops
Tuesday June 4        Planting Day
Tuesday June 11       Plant growth, plant parts, water/irrigation
Tuesday June 18      Soil health, worms, water
Tuesday June 25      Weeds, mulch
Tuesday July 2         Pollinator / Bugs Day
Tuesday July 9         Flowers / Bulbs / Rhizomes / Tubers / Pollen  
Tuesday July 16       Art activity  (Toad house or Bee Waterer
Tuesday July 23      Wrap-up / Giving Back / Harvesting 
Sunday July 28       Recognition Day / Family Picnic
Sunday Aug 6         Field trip to Steadfast Acres Truck Farm  (corner of Hwy 130 / CTY JJ)  (optional)
Sunday Aug 18        Harvesting for Spring Green Community Food Pantry (optional)
​TBA   October        Garden Clean-up 


​Parent Responsibilities

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
​Parents or guardians are encouraged to participate along with their children.
​Parents or guardians are encouraged to bring their children to the garden between weekly programs and after the program ends to check their plants, water as necessary and harvest as the vegetables ripen.  

We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!


Hours

Daily: 7am - 8 pm
Daylight hours

Telephone

1-608-588-6040

Email

[email protected]
​
  • Home
    • About the Gardens
    • Directions
  • News
    • Events
    • Garden Notes
    • River Valley Nature Journaling >
      • Nature Journaling Resources
      • updates
    • Educational Programs
    • Community Food Pantry Donations
    • Videos & Audios
  • Youth Gardening
    • Busy Bees >
      • Work Day
      • Meet and Greet
      • Planting Day
      • Busy Bees Day 2
    • Junior Gardeners
  • Garden Plots
    • Policies
    • Enabled or Adaptive Gardening
    • Garden Planning Resources
    • Garden Guidelines
    • Veggie Crops
    • Plant / Seed Quantity & Spacing for Row Planting
  • For Gardeners
    • FAQs
    • Gardening Resources >
      • Vegetables Resources
      • Fruit Resources
      • Flower Resources
      • Trees, Shrubs, Landscaping
      • Garden Management
      • Pollinators
      • Professional Resources
    • RVACG Soil Type
    • Garden Pests and Diseases
  • Contact
    • Support and Donations