Foster Care for the Plants

The cooler weather has arrived along with a mention of the 'F' word...FROST !!! When I look at the beautiful flowers and plants on the deck, I know that it is only a matter of time before they will be gone. Last year I brought my two cedar planters to the school where I taught and 'Green Thumb Marty' nurtured them through the school year. I picked them up around Memorial Day, and they have hung around my house for the spring/summer. This year I am trying to get the green light for more plants to go and winter with the kids. I think it is a win/win situation. The plants brighten up the halls and classrooms, the kids get a sense of 'Mother Nature' , and the plants live longer all the while emitting good vibes into the air. It was on my helper list back in my teaching days. We called it 'The Green Team' and the plants had names, too. 'Shuffle' for the schefalara plant and 'Shakespeare' for the Imperial Palm Tree.

Do you know a teacher who would loan your plants a warm window while you loaned them some plants to observe in the name of Science? It's a teachable moment waiting to happen!!

My mom's gardenia tree and the braided hibiscus will join us on the inside of the house in the hope they may even produce a flower in the darkness of winter.