Text and Activities: Karen Williams Illustrations: Louise ... · Karen Williams. It is easy to conserve water while growing a nice garden.This coloring book will help you learn how.

Text and Activities: Karen WilliamsIllustrations: Louise Zemaitis

PAGE # SUBJECT

1i

Rain B arrel

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Butterfly Milkweed w/ taproot

E. Red Cedar w/ spreading roots

Arrowwood Viburnum

Bayberry

Beach Plum

Black Cherry

Creeping Juniper

E. Red Cedar

10’ Flower Garden

11 Flower Garden

12‘ Hackberry

13 Hollies

14 Ornamental Grass

15 Yews

16 Celery Activity

1 7 Sand / Soil Activity

18 Seedling Activity

19 Outdoor Water Use Survey

20 Backyard Wildlife

Dear Parents:

This coloring book is designed to aquaint children with some of the conceptsfimdamentalto gtxdbng under low water conditions. These concepts have their basein two fields, ecology and horticulture. Ecology studies the relationship of organisms(plants and animals) to their environment. Horticulture is the science and art ofgrowing- vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants. Since low water gardening(also known as xeriscaping) requires the use of plants that can flourish under naturalconditions, without a lot of supplemental water, its application is an excellentopportunity for children to learn about the interaction of the physical and biologicalenvironment.

Low- gardening does not have to exclude other types of gardens, Mostofthe plants illustrated in this book have ornamental and/or wildlife value. We havetried to include these uses in the illustzations, especially the wildlife uses becausechildren are instinctively interested in wildlife. Hopefully, children will use the

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m to begin an exploration of wildlife that exists in their environment. Whilewat&ngbir& orb-u&z&es in their backyard, children leam more about those animalsthan in all the books in the library. I am constantly amazed at the information mychildren pick up while exploring in our yar& they are not coaxed, only encouraged.

Cape May, along with the entire county, is facing a water crisis sincewithdrawal of water from the aquifers that supply the region exceeds the rate ofMa T!Gs is causing salt water intrusion into local wells and raising concernsabout the sust&nable population for the region. Conservation of water is critical, andoutdoor uses are one of the easiest to reduce, using sound low water gardeningprinciples.

Weurge youtousethisbook as a beginning. Get out into your yard with your. kids and help them learn science through gardening. If you do not feel you know

enoq& don’t worry. Kids and adults learn best through doing and trial and error is alarge part of that process. Mistakes this year can be tumed into successes the next ifone is observant (buy small plants ifunsure, instead of big, expensive ones). Just getout and do it.

Happy Gardening,

Karen Williams

It is easy to conserve water while growing a nice garden. This coloring book willhelp you learn how.

Rain barrels collect rainRain barrels collect rainwater that falls on houses.water that falls on houses.The water cifjn be saved toThe water cifjn be saved towater plantswater plants when itwhen itdoesn’t rain.

Mulches are saround plants.4 a 1 * l

!pread onTl=Y can be shreddeda* .

bark, wood chips, or grass chppmgs.Mdches help keep weeds Corn growingand keep the sun from drying out the.so11 t

1

lants get the water they need to live from th soil through their roots. Plants thatgrow with. a lot of water have speci roots that help the plants get water

/butterfly milkweed

have a taprootf

into the soil. It can get‘root after the soil /

surface has dried. /4 /

/

/I

\

\

\\

\\

\

\

2

Plants like eastern red cedar (Juniperisvirginiana) have spreading roots thatcoller;t water from a large area.

The next pages show some plants that can grow without a lot of water.

3

Arromood (Viburnum dentatum)These bushes have white flowers inspring and blue berries in fdl. Thebranches grow very straight and wereused by Native Americans to makearrowshafts. The berries ripen in falland are eaten by migrating birds likethis thrush.

4

Bayberry (Myrica pmrrsvleaniea)Bayberries grcnv wild ikNew Jerseysand dunes. The berries are eaten bqmany animals in win&r, like thisyellow-rumped warbler.

Beach Plum (Prunus mudmu) i/ .

The white flowers of beach plum are a ”i1”i1welcome sight in spring. The plums ii

jripen in fall. My people pick them to *make jam.

1 .1ff

i46

e

Black Cherry (Prunus serutina)This tree will grow almost mywherewith little care. Butterflies nectar onthe flowers in spring. It is veryimportant as a food SOWC‘R for bothlocal and migratory birds.

Creeping Juniper (Juniperis~~~iz~~g~2~~)These evergreen bushes cover theground. The shade they make helpskeep weeds from growin; and protectsthe ground from the hot drying sun.

These tall straight evergreens can bcused to protect a house from winterwinds, Cedar waxwings and otherbirds eat the berries

9

i

.O

Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro) Purple Coneflower (Echinea purpurea)Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia hirta) Wild Bergamot {Monardafistulosa)Hollyhocks (Althea spp.)

Hackberry (CeZtis occidentalis)These trees have a taproot, SO they CZUIget water thorn deep in the earth. Snoutand hackberry butterfly caterpillars eatthe leaves. Can you fmd the caterpillarhidden in this picture.

12

Mmy people plant hollies because tileyarc green a11 yew ad have decorativered berries in fall and winter. Robinsmay eat the berries in winter*

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Ornamental GrassesQnamental grasses come in many sizesand colors. People use them in theiryards because they are interesttig tolook at aU year. The seeds may attractsparrows in fall or winter. *

14

Yews (Taxus spp.)There are many different varieties ofyew, from short to tall. They are usedas hedges ad to frame buildings.Mockingbirds ofken use their denseevergreen branches to build nests.

15

CELERY ACTXVTYPut a rib of celery in a dry plastic bag and place it on a window sill (preferably ona sunny day). When you get home Corn school, examine the celery. Is it differentCorn when you placed it in the bag? How? Describe the inside of the bag. If nochanges have taken place, leave the bag on the window sill for another day.

Now place the stak of celery in a glass of water and leave it for several hours.oes the stalk of celery ch&ge in any way?

Oj3SERVATIONS

circle words that describe the celery

hard hardstiff

soft soft.

limp.

hmpl

limp

circle words that describe the plastic bag you placed the celery inB~~~~~ of Experiment Middle of ,Exeeriment End of Experimentdry dry drybP damp dampwet wet. ‘wet

CONCLUSIONWhat caused the changes you observed in the piece of celery?

What caused the changes you observed in the plastic bag?

16

SAND/SOIL ACTIVITYGet some sand from the beach and some soil from you family’s garden.. Let themdry for several days before starting the experiment. Place the same amount of eachin two flowerpots that are the same size. Place a saucer under each pot. Fill onemeasuring cup (1 quart size) with water for each container. Pour water slowly intoeach pot. When the water starts to seep out the holes in the bottom of the flowerpots, stop adding more water, Wait about 10 - 15 minues to see if the water hasbeen absorbed from the saucer. If it has water again until the water seeps out.Repeat until no more water is absorbed. Figure out how much water you used oneach pot by subtracting the mount used from the beginning amount. Which potused more water? Why?

OBSERVATIONS I~AI-IZ -

.Describe the beach sand afld the soil.CoIort look closely and give details. Which color is most common? How manycolors are there?Beach Sand

Garden Soil 0

Texture: how does it feel when you rub it betwTeen yorxlr fingers?*Beach Sand

(harden Soil

How much sand or soil did you place in. each pot? ---.---..*It should be the same anxount for both pots.

HQW much water did the beach sand absorb? -am --.A,-Gginning momt

-“P-P.. 1--e...-I-------mount ieft asxLoIlxLt tlsed

How much water did the garden soil absorb? -m “--%..--__111-..--.-. ---U--I---- --..--.-..-“..-___11beginning iimcmnt amount ka anx3tmt t.t.txd

Which material, sand or soil absorbed more water?---...I_

Why do you think this is so?

SEEDLING ACTMTYGet some easy to grow seeds like radishes and two identical (saxne size, shape,color etc.) containers. Make sure the containers have drain holes in the bottom.Fill the containers with soil. Plant the s;une number of seeds in each (10 - 20).Water the containers when the soil surface, becomes dry. When the seedlings are2 - 3 inches high water both pots well. Then cover the soil surface inone pot with1 inch of mulch (grass clippings would work well). Place both pots in a sunnyspot and do not water. Check the pots each day. Which seedlings wilt fast?

, .

Date:

Color of containers: Size of containers:

Type of seeds used: --.-me -*

Number of days to sprout:.

Number of days to grow to 2 - 3 inches:

OBSERVATIONSDay ‘N-umber ! Pot with Mulch ! Pot without MulchI

6 !

In which pot did the plants wilt fast? Pot with Miilch Pot without Mulch

OUTDOOR WATER USE SURVEYConduct a water use survey of your family’s garden. Complete the questions belowabout your garden. Then think with your parents about how you can reduceamount of water used in the garden. Use the suggestions below and think of youown methods. Be cre

How times each week d o YOU water YOW lam and/Qr garden?

Trees Shnibs Flower Beds GrassLLa~ Vegetables Flower Boxes /Pots

o you have an automatic sprinkler system? Does it have a rain sensor sodoesn’t water en its raining?

ow mleak?

outdoor faucets does your houseIf they do leak, do they need new

have?washers?

Do any of them

ould you be willing to try to re 0X water used m yourgardens? 0 t

water reductio , methods do you already we? Ho

s. That water is stored untilout with a watering can or

Outside showers use a lot of water. This waterusually seeps into the ground right outside theshower. Depending on your yard (if you do havean outside shower), you might be able to collectthis water, and send it to a flower bed or vegetablegarden.

of plants, like the ones described inthis coloring book, can grow where it is very dry,and won% need extra water in your garden. IYheseplants could replace grass or plants that need extrawater.

What different ways can you think of to cut back on the atnount of water neededin your garden?

19

BACKYARD WILDLPEE SURVEYSurvey the wildlife in you backyard. Use the sighting log provided below or m&eyou own. Write down the date and time of all sightings. Libraries are goodsources of identification guides or you may already have some at home. If youdon’t know what kind of animal you observe, write down a description or draw apicture to help you remember what it looked like when you get a book. You cankeep track of all kinds of information. Some b things are what animals are doingin your yard, or how many you see.. You may think of other things to write down.

Draw your house and garden here.

-1

( I5 ’

Guide to Activities: The fidlowing details the concepts covered in the activities foundin the coloring book. The concepts were not included in the directions in the book,because they would make the directions too lengthy and we wanted the children tothink on their own rather than being told what to think. You should encourage yourcW fo think about these concepts without telling them the “right” answer, this willencourage critical thinking. All ages of children can benefit &om these activities.Youngchiltiwill not be able to understand fully what they observe, but will absorbenough to lay the foundation for further learning as they mature. Use yourunderstanding of your child’s intellect to guide you in helping them with theseactivities.

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Celery Activitycells contain water. In non-woody plant material, the pressure of this waterell walls is what provides the plant with rigidity. If the water content of the

plant drops below a certain level the plant will wilt or droop.By removoing the celery rib from the refkidgerator and placing it in the sun.,

you cause it to transpire (lose water to the atmosphere) more rapidly. You should seetwo &in@. First; wa@r droplets should appear on the inside of the plastic bag as watertranspired by the celery condenses on the plastic. Second, the celery should wilt orbtxmme SC&, due to alok of water pressure from inside the celery% cells. If the celerydoes not become soft after 2 days, try su g that the celery be placed on the

‘ndow sill withaut the bag because humi, inside the bag may be hinderin

t h e e saR, placing it in water should cause it to becomerigid again as the celery absorbs water.

Seedling ActivityThis activity examines the role of mulch in controlling water loss fkom soil surfkces.

the activity, it is important to be as uniform as possible between theFor example, if one container is black, and the other white or green,aibscxb mom energy from the sun and heat up more, thus losing more

evaporation. If one pot has more soil that the other, it will be able tohold a greater qua.Ai$ of water and supply the seedlings for d longer period of time.If one pot has more seedlings than the other, they will use the available water faster,since there are more of them. The differences described above, ifthey were to occurwould be sources of exPerimental error. Scientists in all disciplines must alwaysconsider possible sources of experimental error in order to assure un-biased results.

If your child seems intrigued by this idea, you might suggest using multiplesof each treatment (mulched and un-mulched pots), using a second set of pots with justsoil or soil and mulch (no plants) or some combination of the two. When scientistsconduct experiments, they always run more than one replica of each treatment (in thiscase the treatments are mulched and un-mulched pots). This reduces the possibilitythat the results observed in the experiment are due to an accident or extrordinarycircumstance.

Inthis experiment, the radishes in the pot without mulch should wilt first, dueto a greater rate ofwater evaporation from the soil surface.

YVater ‘Use SurveyEvery person in Cape May County contributes to the water shortage through his/herindividual use. Every gallon of water that is conserved contributes to the solution.This activity can help children learn about their impact on the problem in a positiveway9 by thinking of ways to improve the situation (limit individual water use). It isimportant to provide children with a feeling of empowerment concerning ourenvironment. The message too offen from the media is negative, causing feelings ofhopelessness. We need to help children feel they can make a difference,

If your children choose to participate in this activity, you can help bY beingopen and receptke. While not advocating killing you prize (fiflin the blank), we feel you should be receptive to implementing any changes yourchildren suggest. Encourage further learning by suggesting they monitor the impactof any cknges in the watering practices implemented on your property. For a furtherdescription of water conservation measures see the City’s “Water ConservationGarden’* brochure.

S‘anclbii Activity‘Ibis activity measures the water holding capability of dif%rent types of soil. Soils holdwater both between the individual soil particles and absorbed in the soil’s organicmaterial (decayed plant matter, called humus or compost). The sponge-like organicmaterial holds far greater water per unit volume than the mineral (ground up rock)portion of the soil. Beach sand has nearly no organic matter, while garden soils havevarying amounts of humus.

When conducting this experiment, it is important to make sure that all soilsamples are completely dry before starting (experimental error again). Scientists drysoil in low temperature ovens (about 2000F’) for several hours. If you aremble with using your oven for such earth pursuits, use the sun on a hot, dryday, or speed up the process in a closed car on a hot day.

In many soils, when bone dry, water will initially run quickly through. Thisis due to a lack of surface tension fkom other water molecules in the soil. This waterwill be absorbed through the holes in the bottom of the pot. Eventually, the soil willbecome saturated, and no more water will be absorbed.

The sand should absorb much less water than a soil with humus. As avariation, ifyou or a neighbor has a compost pile, tty the experiment with compost aswell as sand and soil. Compost is nearly 100% humus and should absorb more waterthan soil.

Backyard Wildlife SurveyYour childmnmay already study the wildlife that uses your backyard. Rabbits, worms,but&flies and their caterpillars all qualify as wildlife. Children are naturally curiousabout their world and will observe all these things. This activity will help to focusthose observations. While these animals may seem ordinary or mundane to you,children can learn a lot about their behavior, appearence and interactions by simplewatch& Olmwath skills learned through watching wildlife carry over into the restof a person’s life; a skill not easy to measure, but with application in all areas ofendeavor.

tie of the easiest backyard wildlife to observe is butterflies. If one movesslowly and takes car; not to cast a shadow over the insect, butterflies can beapproached quite closely. Most field guides list host plants, the plantseaten by thebtdidlies cxtb@ks. Including these speceis in your yard may encour&e butterfliesto lay their eggs and your children will have the opportunity to observe the insect’sdevelopment.

Bac@ard wildlife in Cape May is not limited to typical suburban species.Cape May is onthe Eastern Flyway and its penninsular geography funnels southboundmigratory birds into the City during fall migration.- Most landbirds follow thepenninsula south to Cape May Point, trying to avoid% long water crossing tolllebme. Iluring migration, many bird species can be foundin atypical habitats, like&ubbery around houses in Cape May. It would be pr@de&.to caution your childrenabout disturbing these birds. Most songbirds, like warblers &&sparrows, migrate ate and some get blown o-ore, finding themselves miles. frtim’ shore when the suncomes up . If and when they make it back to land, they ,are ex@&ed’and the smallestdistuhme could prove fatal. If your children observe th&the’bi#lsseem tame, it is_)probably because the birds are exhausted and do not have ‘&es en&@ to fly away.Enrxnuage your children to watch, but not approach.- They p;;iU’see,more ifthe birdsare undisturbed.

Donot become too stuck on species identificatitiri. @or beginbiriers to knowthe difikmmbetwm~ws, warblers, and thrushes (all common migrants throughthe Cape and illustrated in most field guides) is more important than howing theprecise species. Understanding how the animal uses i& environment is just as, ifnotmore important.

Have fim w&h this activity. It can be an onping project that over time willprovide your children not only with an understanding of their backyard wildlife, butof seasonal cycles and of Cape May’s importance as habitat for migratory birds.

S‘snd/SoiI Activity‘Ibis activity measures the water holding capability of different types of soil. Soils holdwater both between the individual soil particles and absorbed in the soil’s organicmaterial (decayed plant matter, called humus or compost). The sponge-like organicmaterial holds far greater water per unit volume than the mineral (ground up rock)portion of the soil. Beach sand has nearly no organic matter, while garden soils havevarying amounts of humus.

When conducting this experiment, it is important to make sure that all soilsamples are completely dry before starting (experimental error again). Scientists drysoil in low temperature ovens (about 2OOG’) for several hours. If you areuncomfortable with using your oven for such earth pursuits, use the sun on a hot, dryday, or speed up the process in a closed car on a hot day.

In many soils, when bone dry, water will inititiy run quickly through. Thisis due to a lack of surface tension fkom other water molecules in the soil. ‘Ibis waterwill be absorbed through the holes in the bottom of the pot. Eventually, the soil willbecome saturated, and no more water wiIl be absorbed.

The sand should absorb much less water than a soil with humus. As avzuihm, ifyou or a neighbor has a compost pile, try the experiment with compost aswell as sand and soil. Compost is nearly 100% humus and should absorb more waterthan soil. ’

Backyard Wildlife SurveyYour chil&zn may already study the wildlife that uses your backyard. Rabbits, worms,lmtterf.lies and their caterpillars all qualify as wildlife. Children are naturally curiousabout their world and will observe all these things. This activity will help to focusthose observations. While these animals may seem ordinary or mundane to ~0%children can learn a lot about their behavior, appearence and interactions by simplemattcl@ Obsewahn skills learned through watching wildlife carry over into the restof a person’s life; a skill not easy to measure, but with application in all areas ofendeavor. . _

Some of the easiest backyard wildlife to observe is butterflies. If one movesslowly and takes care not to cast a shadow over the insect., butterY%es can beapproached quite closely. Most field guides list host plants, the plantsi:&aten by thelxttafbes cxx&q&m. Including these speceis in your yard may encourage butterfliesto lay their eggs and your children will have the opportunity to obseie the insect’sdevelopment. -_

Backyard wildlife in Cape May is not limited to typical suburban species.Cape May is on&e Eastern Flyway and its penninsular geography fimnels southboundmigratory birds into the City during fall migration.-, Most landbirds follow thepenninsula south to Cape May Point, trying to avoid% long water crossing toIikihme. IIhxing migration, many bird species can be fourid:in atypical habitats, likedmibbeq around houses in Cape May. It would be pr$d&t to caution your childrenabout disturbing these birds. Most songbirds, like warble* &%&arrows, migrate atnight., and some get blown of&hore, finding themselves miles fkom &ore when the suncomesup. If and when they make it back to land, they are ex&&tedmd the smallestdistuhme could prove @al. If your children observe th&th@‘bir@seem tame, it isprobably because the birds are exhausted and do not h-ave~*t&eene&# to fly away.Enoauage your children to WEltch, but not approach., ‘I’&@ &see.more if the birdsare undisturbed.

Donot become too stuck on species identificatioii. ,&jr beginr&rs to knowthe difibmwbetwm~ws, warblers, and thrushes (all co&on mimts throughthe Cape and illustrated in most field guides) is more important than knowing theprecise species. Understanding how the animal uses its environment is just as, ifnotmore important.

Have fun w&h this activity. It can be an ongoing project that over time willprovide your children not only with an understanding of their backyard wildl%e, butof seasonal cycles and of Cape May’s importance as habitat for migratory birds.

rantntal Protection

Cape May Cit

Cape May City Environmental

spring 199