Garden Experiences in Youth Development
Planting Trees, Making Cages, and 
Mulching Trees

Joseph Bowden
Sans Souci Intermediate and 
Code Elementary School

Click here to view Joseph's lesson plan (best viewed using Internet Explorer).

Click here to view Joseph's Power Point Presentation .



 
 
 
 


Student drawing a large chalk circle in front of a group of children
Joseph had planned to plant trees at Code Elementary. 

Yet it rained again today. 

"Rain, rain, go away, come again another day."
 

"A garden must be looked unto and dressed,
as the body."
~George Herber~
Joseph taught the students about the diameter of a circle while teaching

them to build protection cages for the trees they were supposed to 

plant. Joseph did return to the school on a later date to plant the trees.

While planting the trees, one of the students asked,

"Are we planting a forest?"
Student with a group of children
Student with wheelbarrow helping children plant
Joseph also planted 4 trees at Sans Souci Intermediate 

School. He mulched the new trees as well as the 

existing trees on the school grounds.



 
Joseph explained to the elementary students the importance of watering the 

trees and the importance of breaking up the rootball. 

 Student helping children water plants
Student helping children water a tree
"It is great to be able to teach young people about gardening, 

something that is such a passion for me."

~Joseph Bowden~
"Helping hands."

Rebecca and a Sans Souci student backfill with the native soil.

 Student helping children plant
Student helping children plant a tree
While planting the trees many different organisms-like grubs and 

worms- were found. It was fun to see the children's faces light up 

when they found these creatures.

"Come forth into the light of things. 
Let nature be your teacher."
~William Wordsworth~

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