[ Home ] [ Up ]

© Dundalk Community College

Whether in an urban or rural environment, most homeowners appreciate the beauty, fragrance and color that flower beds add to their home landscape. Students should have the opportunity to learn how to cultivate and care for ornamental plants, including flowers and shrubs. Establishing an ornamental flower bed affords students this opportunity, while beautifying the school grounds. Students can feel a real sense of accomplishment and pride in their school grounds. If there are areas along the building that sunlight seldom reaches, a shade tolerant flower bed can be established.

A seating area may range from a nice amphitheater or shelter house to a simple circle of telephone poles or railroad ties. One of the simplest and least expensive benches is made by erecting two 4" x 4" treated posts and placing a treated (not creosoted) 2" x 10" board across the top with a couple of braces.

PERCH ‘N’ PLANT

Have you ever wondered how so many trees start growing along fences? This simple feature allows students the opportunity to see a fence row develop and learn how the trees got there.

Clear all vegetation on a strip of land about 3 feet wide and at least 10 feet long. (You may have better results if the area is also worked up with a rototiller.) Erect a fence post at each end and stretch a cable between the posts. As birds begin perching on the cable, their droppings will be "planting" many different types of seeds. Students may even wish to keep a log of what species of birds they have observed on the cable and what types of plants begin growing under it, to learn what foods the birds prefer.

POND

A pond on the school site can provide some excellent opportunities for students to observe and study aquatic plants and animals. Ponds also provide students with firsthand experience in managing water resource problems and solutions.

If the pond is ½ acre or larger and has a minimum depth of 8 feet over 25 percent of the area or a minimum of 6 feet over 50 percent of the area, it can probably support a healthy fish population of bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish. For ponds less than ½ acre, biologists suggest stocking channel catfish fingerlings only at 500 to 1,000 per acre. A soil conservationist or fishery biologist can advise how to properly stock and manage your pond.

Transplant a variety of aquatic plants around your shoreline for more diversity. Wildlife biologists also recommend planting a variety of trees, shrubs, legumes and grasses around the pond area to attract more wildlife.

If your school does not have a pond but is interested in constructing one, consult with your local soil conservationist. He or she can investigate the feasibility of a pond site on your school grounds. Keep in mind that a pond for learning can be as small as a shallow reflecting pool, teaming with live microscopic specimens If a deeper pond is desired, the school's liability insurance should be checked to see what additional precautions are needed.

At one time, portions of the United States were covered by prairies. While remnants of these prairies still exist in some states, relatively few people have the opportunity to study these areas or even recognize prairie plants. A small prairie area can be established by clearing all vegetation from the site and planting prairie seed. (It is important to note that even after vegetation is cleared, a great deal of seed remains in the soil and will soon begin germinating. One of the best methods of sterilizing the soil is fumigation which is very effective but hazardous. If a fumigant is to be used, a licensed herbicide applicator should do the work.) It takes many prairie species more than one year to germinate, so be patient. Each year the plot should be cleared, preferably by burning if safe to do so. If not, mowing or clearing by hand should suffice.

       The Forest Conservancy District Board for Baltimore County

9405 Old Harford Road

Baltimore, Maryland 21234

(410) 665-5820 

Email Robert Prenger ....... rprenger@dnr.state.md.us

 Melvin Noland ....... mlnoland@bcpl.net