The seeds are beginning to Spout

The seeds we planted on 1-22 are beginning to sprout.

Composting

Monitoring Compost Temperature

Temperature is one of the key indicators in composting. Is the system heating up? How hot does it get? How long does it remain hot? How does mixing affect the temperature profile?
Heat is generated as a byproduct of microbial breakdown of organic material, and you can use the temperature of your compost to gauge how well the system is working and how far along the decomposition has progressed. For example, if your compost heats up to 40C (104) or 50C(122F), you can deduce that the ingredients contained adequate nitrogen and moisture for rapid microbial growth.
To take your temperature readings, make sure to use a probe that reaches deep into the compost. Leave the probe in place long enough for the reading to stabilize, then move it to a new location. Take readings in several locations, including at various depths from the top and sides. Compost may have hotter and colder pockets depending on the moisture content and chemical composition of ingredients. Can you find temperature gradients with depth? Where do you find your hottest readings? For systems in which air enters from the bottom, the hottest locations tend to be two-thirds or more of the way up. Is this true for your system?
By graphing compost temperature over time, you can tell how far along the decomposition has progressed. A well constructed compost system will heat up to 40 or 50C within two to three days. As readily decomposable organic matter becomes depleted, the temperature begins to drop and the process slows considerably.
The temperature at any point depends primarily on how much heat is being produced by microorganisms and how much is lost through aeration and surface cooling. How long the system remains hot therefore depends on the chemical composition of the ingredients as well as the size and shape of the system. Moisture content also affects temperature change; since water has a higher specific heat than most other materials, drier compost mixtures tend to heat up and cool off more quickly than wetter mixtures, providing adequate moisture levels for microbial growth are maintained.
For more information on the science of compost temperatures, go to the Physics of Composting.

Our 16' x 21' x approx 8' tall compost pile has reached 140F and has maintained that temperature now for over eight days. 

W1 Quarter 3 January 27-31

Weather is starting to warm up.

Tiny Trailer Update - Work started on Nesting box

Today students built the nesting box and temporarily connected to the trailer.

February Chicks Started

On Tuesday we began the incubation of 12 eggs. Six Maran dark brown eggs and three eggs from the silver hen/rooster combo we have  blue eggs and three blue eggs from our Eastereggers hens. It will be interesting to see who the rooster are.

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Compost Update

We placed the pool cover over the compost pile on Tuesday and in doing so had the compost pile increase its temperature from. an average of 115 to a recorded temp of 140. The outside temperature was 61 degrees.

The photo was taken Monday with the black cardboard cover only. Temp 126. We have since added a black pool tarp over the compost pile and the air temperature is supposed to get to about 75 degrees this week.

Inside Planting

Today we planted 13 trays of seeds for spring planting.

We planted seeds of:

Lettuce
Bell Peppers
Sweet Peppers

Extended Goat Fence

On Tuesday students extended the goat fence on the Hillside High Family Farm.

And we found a problem where someone took a portion of our exterior fencing down which could possibly allow certain creatures onto our campus that could attack are farm animals.  Placed cardboard in front of the opening to prevent our animals from escaping. Problem is this hole is requiring me to stop by school after dark to make sure all the animals returned to the coop and the door is closed properly.

W9Jan 20-24

Monday we celebrate MLK.

On Monday I stopped by campus and found that last week someone had dropped off heavy cardboard that was covered with plastic and painted black.  I think it might be something we can use to cover our compost pile.

Also this past weekend the Silver Laced hen began laying a bluish egg. I collected three.  We will place these in the incubator  on Tuesday Jan 21st, should hatch on Feb 10th.

Week 9.  This is the last week of the second quarter.

Activities this week include:

1. Continue work on the raised garden beds - creating tops and covers to keep the chickens from eating the new vegetable growth while allowing the sunshine in.

2. Continue work on the outside seed nursery next to room #1.  Last week we completed the construction of two seed tray holders. We now need to add some visqueen to hold in the heat.

3. Create more separation bins inside the coop for isolation of chickens so we can control the mating process.

4. Continue our work on the composting process. We currently are keeping track of the compost pile temperature and feeding the pile as needed. We have enlisted the help of facilities to provide a tractor to turn the pile on a weekly basis. The temperature this past week has been maintained between 110 and 117 degrees. Since the pile was turned last Friday, and the addition of more brown and green leaves we are recording temperatures above 122 degrees.   WE HIT 133 degrees on Wednesday morning with the outdoor temp at 50 degrees.  We add the pool cover on Tuesday.

4a. Cut black cardboard and place on small compost piles in the garden 4 x 4.

5. Continue work on the tiny trailer.  Last week we framed the trailer. This week we will continue to frame the roof and add a nesting box to the side of the trailer.

Bee's

Video.....Dance of the Honey Bees.

With Global warming, the trend has been a decline in honey bee population

The video link below has an introduction to the above youtube video.

https://vimeo.com/64370008

W8 Jan 13-17

We continue to monitor and add to our compost pile. The average temperature of the compost pile has been around 114 degrees. With a high of 120 on Jan 11th.  We will be adding new fuel to the pile as the UUSD gardeners have been trimming trees and raking leaves and placing it in the back area.

Compost Pile

The January chicks were moved out of the classroom into the outside of room 1 chicken coop. Note: On Friday Jan10 the chicken coop was made into a 3 story condo coop.

The chicks were placed inside the enclosed area - still waiting for them to come out on their own.
Students added the bottom floor to the existing coop. This should allow for better chick viewing, but chicks will not come out of the house on their own yet....


TO THIS!

From This

New Travel Trailer for Goats and Chickens.
The small trailer showed up on the HHS campus last year.  I had last year students remove broken parts and installed a new plywood base. This years students are installing walls and a roof.

Work Continues on the Seed/Green House Area

W7 Jan 6-10

This week we begin plans for our spring planting. One thing that was noticed over the holiday break was the animals getting into the garden area and eating the young lettuce we began growing before break.  We will begin the following:

1. Seed Area Upgrade
2. Hinged Hoop House
3. Wire Covers.
4. Repair and improve baby chick house


Baby Chick House Construction

The Couch?