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This satellite garden was established in 2012. It was created by Taylor Baird, a former student at Radio Park, to help fulfill the requirements for his Eagle Scout award. Out of various projects suggested by the school, he selected this one due both to the location and the fact that elementary school teachers could use the garden as part of their curriculum with pollinators.
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The garden is flanked on three sides by the school building, directly behind the administrative office. It is a relatively flat piece of land, about 20 feet by 40 feet. Many of the initial plants were divisions provided by Pam Ford, Centre County Master Gardener, and many, such as bronze fennel, are flourishing in this location. |
During the very first year, monarch butterflies laid eggs, and the caterpillars eventually formed chrysalises attached to the bricks of the building, after which they emerged. So a whole generation of monarchs the very first year the garden was established!
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Bees, wasps and flies visiting the garden in August 2013.
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The school also has a vegetable garden, and just outside of that garden there is a perennial section, which includes many pollinator friendly plants including cup plant, Queen of the Prairie, Joe Pye Weed, and bee balm. Inside the garden, angelica also is a favored pollinator plant. We get a wide variety of pollinators, but are still learning to identify them.