ISU Community Garden Field Trip

ISU Community Garden Field Trip

Information Packet

*Meet in normal classroom (174) at class time on day of trip*

http://unboundedpossibilities.com/institute-for-community-sustainability/community/community-garden.aspx

 

 

 

 

 

Soil Sampling Guidelines:

1. Select a sampling method that will help answer your hypothesis. Your testing method should help you identify each sample location. Mark on the “Map of current garden plots” where you sampled.
2. Label your soil bag with a black Sharpie as follows: ENVI 110L-xxx yyy z

* xxx is the section number (3-digit)

* yyy (3-digit) is the plot number

* z (1-digit) is the sample number in the plot.

All soil sample bags must contain this information. Make sure to mark on the map the location of each sample using the sample numbers.

3. Cleartheareaofdebris,leaves,limbs, etc. priortotakingthesoilsample.
4. Extractasoilsampleusingashovelorasoilauger.
5. UsingtheMunsellcolorchartsprovideddeterminesoilcolor.Soilcolormust bewrittenoutcompletely.Thismeansyoumustincludethepagenumber(e.g.,10YRinthetoprightcornerofthechart)thecolorvalue(rownumberonrightsideofthepage)andthechroma(columnnumberonthebottomportionofthechart).Thereforeyourfinalsoilcolorshouldreadsomethinglike10YR5/3.
6. DeterminethesoilpH:First,gentlywipingoffthetipoftheprobewithacleanrag.Then,spraythetipwithwaterandgentlyinsertitintothesoilinyoursamplebag.Waitforapproximately2 minutesbeforetakingareading.DonotpullthepHmeteroutofthesoiluntilAFTERyouhavetakenthereading.7. Iftimepermitsyoumaydeterminesoiltexture.SpecificdirectionscanbefoundontheUSDASoilTexturingFieldFlowChart.Collectahandfulofsoil.Removeorganicsandparticlesover2mm(~½thelengthofatrimmedfingernail)Wetyoursoiltoa play–‐dolikeconsistencyandperformthesoiltexturetest.
7. Fillthesamplebags ½ full.Thebagsshouldbe sealedbyrollingthetopdownlikeachipbagandfoldingtheyellowtabsoveronthemselves.
8. Eachpersonisrequiredtocollectaminimumof 1 soilsample.Fieldtestsofsoilcolor,texture,andpHarerecommended.XRF,Nitrogen,Potassium,andPhosphorustestscanbecompletedintheclassroomthefollowingweeks.

 

 

Map of area from 1911 (Community Garden is on 11^th and Chestnut)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Map of current garden plots

I USE 1 AND 2 AND 3,4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Google Earth image of Community Garden

 

 

1. When scientists go out in the field, they always log their observations, including sights, sounds, time and weather. Briefly describe the ISU Community Garden. Draw a sketch to help your description

 

 

2. What kind of plant life did you see? Describe at least two varieties. ‘Trees and grass’ is not an acceptable answer. Take pictures and look up species.

 

 

 

 

 

3. What kind of animal life did you observe? If you don’t see any animals (unlikely), look for tracks or other signs.

 

 

 

 

 

4. What kind of animal life did you observe? If you don’t see any animals (unlikely), look for tracks or other signs.

 

 

 

5. How might the various types of vegetation in the garden benefit the kinds of wildlife you observed?

 

6. Explain any disturbances you may have witnessed in the gardens. How was your specific plot altered? (Ex: wood chips, was it tilled, what was planted, etc.)

 

 

 

 

7. How is the ISU Community Garden space different or similar to the areas across the street?

 

 

 

 

 

8. What is the mission of the community garden? You may use the Community Garden website to research their mission.

 

 

 

 

9. Is the Community Garden beneficial to you? Why or why not?

 

 

 

10. Compare your plot location to the 1911 map. Was there a house on your plot in 1911? How may this affect your soil test results?

 

 

 

11. What impressed you most about the field trip?