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History
John Harris, the Wonder Works Board President, first introduced the Wonder Works Organic Garden as a concept in the late winter of 2007. The Organic Garden is a complement to the museum's Farm to Market experience, which lets kids “plant”, “harvest” and “transport” fruits and vegetables in a play environment. Working with Seven Generations Ahead, Harris moved forward with the garden, locating it on the south side of museum to ensure plenty of sunshine, coordinating efforts between Wonder Works and Seven Generations Ahead until…
On the morning of Saturday, June 2, 2007, the Wonder Works Organic Garden was given life. Seven Generations Ahead’s Executive Director, Gary Cuneen, led the planting with assistance from Mary Bodlak; the Executive Director of Wonder Works. Working together with the assistance of local families and Wonder Works staff, everyone helped plant the first ever, Wonder Works Organic Garden. The First garden measured a little over 150 square feet and included plants and seeds provided by Farmer Vicki of Genesis Growers. These included eggplant, sweet peppers, carrots, sweet corn, basil, sage and radishes.
A lot of knowledge was gained that first year, such as rabbits really do like carrots, the tops of them anyway; and eggplant is a tasty treat, just not raw. Other things were learned as well, like the watering schedule needed for different kinds of plants, the organic fertilizers that work so well; the no residual, organic pest control products really do work (of course the best defense against disease are healthy plants). It was also realized just how much hard work it takes to grow a lush garden full of tasty and healthy veggies.
Now in its third year, we are expanding the size of the garden from 9’X20’ to 10’X24’ giving us 35% more room to grow. We are also expanding what we grow to include more root crops like beets and turnips, we are growing for the first time ever cucumbers of differing varieties, pole beans, broccoli, leafy greens and edible flowers. All while keeping the returning favorites of tomatoes, peppers, radishes, carrots and herbs.
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