Saturday, March 16, 2013
Attending: Bev Brown,
Michael Hannen, Judy Ferman; Bill Bross,
Victoria Harris, Sharon Horton, Peggy Kane, Laura Ouimette, Kathy Picula, Norm
Sacks
Peckham Hall was financed by the Peckham Family and is LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) certified with two
green roofs. The Integrated Center
for Math and Science at Peckham Hall features state-of-the-art labs for
instruction and research, classrooms, and spaces designed to support
collaboration between students and faculty.
The Ecology/Plant Biology Lab has adjacent areas for Ecology
Plant Biology Research, Prep, greenhouse storage, potting, and the greenhouse
with three separate zones (temperate, hot and humid, and hot and arid).
The greenhouse which has been open since August 2012 is
computer run with lighting (sunrise and sunset), weather station, swamp
coolers, and an automatic water system.
Bev demonstrates one of the adaptive gardening tools.
Outside of the greenhouse are areas with future plans for a
waterfall of raised beds, hay bail garden, and permaculture gardening.
This is an aeroponic unit which arrived the previous day is awaiting a few parts to be completely assembled. Bev told us about phytoremediation – using plants to remove toxins from soil and water.
Michael did a demonstration on cultivating plants from seed
using his tried and true mixture for drainage, moisture control, and hot/dry
conditions.
3
parts each
Vermiculite,
Perlite,
Pro-mix
without fertilizer
½
part sand
1
part chicken grit
After seeds are added they should be watered three times –
draining between each watering.
Michael retrieved seeds from a Cardoon milk thistle flower head and planted them in a small plastic container with drain holes.
Two small pots were then labeled and placed
in a zip lock bag. Michael used old
screen slats and sticks from his yard to form a frame for the pots in the bag –
acting as a mini-greenhouse.
