This week, we gathered at the Ithaca Children’s Garden to explore the different components that can be included in a play garden, and debate the different plants that could be included in our playful plants database.
Master Gardener Lauren graciously guided us through the garden, starting with the hands-on “Anarchy Zone” pictured below. Included in this portion were Jerusalem artichoke, Willow trees, and an apple tree tunnel!
Many features like the one pictured below encourage children to construct things and engage in hands-on, creative play.
After looking through the bulb garden, we came across some willows that had been woven together to form a visual barrier behind a bench.
While perusing the edible garden, we spotted a small beekeeping area and a grapevine tunnel, the latter of which is pictured below.
The two Master Gardeners (Chantal Rogers and Anne Casella) and I have been working very hard on the playful plants database, and we are planning on incorporating some plants and principles from the Ithaca Children’s Garden into our work.