ECAG Preps for Fall with Giant Crayons

Posted in Around the Garden on August 30 2012, by Matt Newman

While we’ve been ogling the bushels of delicious vegetables growing in the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden, Sarah Paulson, our Coordinator of Teen Programs, tells us that there’s more than enough going on in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden to warrant a little attention. And she’s right! One look at the art and beauty going on at ECAG and you’ll know that neither educators, horticulturists, or teen Explainers are resting on their laurels this season.

With Monet’s Garden still underway and the last days of summer winding toward a close, horticulturist Katie Bronson keeps the Adventure Garden alive with a mosaic of textures and colors, maintaining lush and vivid plantings in the midst of these dry months. Sarah was kind enough to pass along a handful of photos from around the garden, showing flowers and foliage at their pre-fall peak.

[Not a valid template]

Meanwhile, the Explainers are prepping for autumn activities in a hurry, gathering together some of the art supplies they’ll need to keep kids creating once the trees start turning. That means stockpiling crayons for leaf rubbings. And by “stockpiling,” I mean pouring and molding their own enormous blocks of colorful wax by recycling used crayons. Go big or go home, right? Below are a few of the molds drying next to young basil plugs.

Not only are the “crayons” they’re making larger than life, but these Explainers bring a new level of confidence to the fashion game. Dip-dye leggings and purple everything make for a bright afternoon at the Discovery Center.

Observe and Create runs through September 30 in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, shortly after which we’ll be jumping into Halloween activities headlong with pumpkins and more. Thanks for the update, Sarah!