Last week every first grader from Black Mountain Primary visited the Black Mountain Community Garden. The classes visited with their teachers on three different days. Health Services Administrator, Carolyn Fryberger and School Garden Educator, Kari Brayman along with myself lead discovery oriented walks through the garden. On our final day of visits, four Warren Wilson students helped to lead the walks.

This is our second year offering this fun opportunity to Black Mountain's first graders. This is the first year, however, that I've had students who have family members with plots. Shawn Creasman's niece Annaleah and Glenda Furhman's grandson were excited to share their families' plot with their classmates.

During their visit students learned about our rainwater collection system (they are fascinated with the huge rain barrels at the top of the hill), how we make compost and why, plant families--such as the allium family/ genus (onions, leeks, garlic and shallots), solanaceae (potatoes and tomatoes), and brassica/ mustard family (cabbages, broccoli, kale and collards).