Groundhogs in the Pumpkin Patch

Primary students enjoyed an exciting visit with a representative from Critter Control this past week. He came to remove a groundhog from the garden and set another trap for the remaining groundhogs. He gave a brief presentation to the kids who wanted to see the groundhog that has been eating their pumpkins!

Groundhog, also known as woodchuck, whistle-pig or land-beaver.

There is still hope for the 2 pumpkins that have not yet been eaten by critters. We are working on making the garden animal proof, so that the groundhogs can live freely on the other side of the fence (not eating our produce!).

Two Primary families (Duke/Kozora and Tamblyn) recently installed a wonderful gate for the pumpkin patch made from re-purposed materials. A new fence surrounds the pumpkin patch, but the groundhogs continue to dig under the fence.

Ryan Tamblyn (father of 3rd grader Karter) and his friend Johnny
installing the new garden gate.

The fence needs to be dug down and then secured by something heavy, such as railroad ties or pavers. For now we will continue to work on little sections at a time, but we are in search of adult volunteers to help work on the fence after school one day while the kids play on the playground.

If you are interested in helping us animal-proof the pumpking patch, please send us an email at aalcgeo@gmail.com. You are also welcome to adopt the pumpkin patch to maintain throughout the school year, as a family or small group! Learn more about our new Adopt-a-Garden program here.

Adopt a Garden at AALC!

We are excited to introduce the new Adopt-a-Garden Program at Ann Arbor Learning Community! Now you can sign up to adopt a specific garden plot on the school property to maintain throughout the school year.  You can also sign up to work with a group or class on a garden plot.

Responsibilities vary depending on the plot and may include weeding, watering, mulching, dividing perennials and more.

Email us at aalcgeo@gmail.com for more information and to sign up!

Garden Plot Descriptions

1 - Early Primary Garden (Morgan)

2 - Early Primary Garden (Bergin)

3 - Early Primary Garden, Fairy Garden Theme

4 - Early Primary Garden, Butterfly Theme (King)

5 - Primary Garden, Forest Floor Theme (Wilt)

6 - Primary Garden

7 - Primary Garden, River Bed Theme (Ackerman)

8 - Primary Garden (Grim)

9 - Kids Club Garden 

10 - Special Education Room Garden

11 - Music Room Garden

12 - Intermediate Garden, Bird Feeder Theme (Kriener)

13 - Sensory Garden

14 - Business Office Garden

15 - Intermediate Garden (Marchyok)

16 - Intermediate Garden (Nagle)

17 - Middle School Garden (Andrews/Meadow)

18 - Middle School Garden (Maltby/Meadow)

19 - Middle School Garden (Kuhn/Meadow)

20 - Middle School Garden (Meadow)

20.5 - Middle School Garden (Meadow)

21 - Art Room Garden, Inspiration Theme

22 - Butterfly Gardens, Back Bed (Early Primary)

23 - Butterfly Gardens, White Tires (Early Primary)

24 - Butterfly Gardens, 4 Raised Beds (Early Primary)

25 - Early Primary Veggie Bed

26 - Pollinator Garden (Early Primary)

27 - Hoop House (Kriener)

28 - Welcome Garden

29 - Fruit Orchard (Middle School)

30 - Permaculture Garden (Middle School)

31 - Pumpkin Patch (Primary)

32 - Vegetables and Perennials (Primary)

33 - Herb Garden (Intermediate)

34 - Retention Pond

35 - Hosta Shade Garden

36 - AALC Garden

37 - Rose of Sharon Garden