March 3, 2014
EcoHuertos Follow-up Site Visits
On March 3, 2014, GFDD/FUNGLODE’s EcoHuertos Program under the leadership of Cristiana Cruz Minier, undertook follow-up visits to three schools to look at the progress of their respective school vegetable gardens.
8:00 AM: Youth in Development School, Cristo Rey.
A positive aspect of the visit was that she took me to the garden where I met Professor of Physical Education, Ricardo Paula, who is in charge of the garden and was cleaning the garden when we arrived.
He told me the tomato seeds we donated had not germinated, but that he brought some seeds from his father’s farm in Azua. The rest of the seeds we planted germinated successfully including beets, lettuce, spinach and carrots. The ornamental and aromatic plants donated were also thriving and very beautiful. Professor Ricardo has been motivating the students and setting a good example for several of them who are working in the garden.
Conclusion: We recommend that Professor Ricardo Paula take the lead and officially organize the EcoHuertos Group within the school. The program will endeavor to maintain contact with him directly on its progress.
9:30 AM Capotillo Educational Center, El Capotillo.
The wall garden is looking great and has been a success! The gardening boxes located in the eastern hall of the garden were unkempt and inundated with water.
Conclusion: It was suggested that they move their flowering beds to better location, letting them dry, and painting them with an anti-fungal solution.
10:40 AM Republic of Paraguay School, Ciudad Nueva.
Professor Johnny Wilton Rosa de Jesus greeted me at this school. The garden was clean and looked well tended. They added space to plant more seeds and to set up a nursery. They undertook an observation campaign and, in doing so, discovered that the animals attacking their plants were not pigeons but rather slugs. I instructed them on how to eliminate the slugs. One student went onto Facebook to share his experiences at the garden with others.
Conclusion: There is a need to carry out the Pollinators and Pests course before the close of the school year.
