Treasurer Hunt

Treasurer hunts include vegetables and insects Remember, you need something to put your treasurers in. We need to bring something to put dragon flies and butterflies in:)

Treasurer hunts include vegetables and insects Remember, you need something to put your treasurers in. We need to bring something to put dragon flies and butterflies in:)

“Mom, do you know why I like coming out to the garden every night. It’s because it is like a treasurer hunt. You never know what you are going to find.” – Keith

That was music to my ears.  I love agriculture, because to me I learn something new every day, and there are always treasurers and always pleasant surprises. So when I hear my kids say this as well, I know we are going down the right path of learning and exploring and helping them to share the story of agriculture with others. They to have so much to learn and so much to share about their treasurer hunt with others.

We are finding so many variety of pumpkins growing on our garden treasurer hunts . It is really cool.

We are finding so many variety of pumpkins growing on our garden treasurer hunts . It is really cool.

These are the same pumpkins that Keith is pictured in above, taken on Saturday. This is taken on Thursday. Look how much it has grown. We had to cut the wires so the pumpkins didn't grow into the fence.

These are the same pumpkins that Keith is pictured in above, taken on Saturday. This is taken on Thursday. Look how much it has grown. We had to cut the wires so the pumpkins didn’t grow into the fence.

When we are scouting the garden, we are finding pumpkins, melons, cucumbers etc. growing and changing. It is absolutely so much fun!Like in life, not everything in agriculture is fun, some of it can be frustrating…We also find potato bugs, squash beetles and more. The treasurer in these challenges is what we learn about them, from them and how we deal from them.

Another treasurer is when we find foods that we like which we have grown. Like many of your families, not all of us like everything grown in the garden. But the rule is that every one of us must try the food and/or the new recipe.

Last week's zucchini brownies were a hit. Definitely a recipe worth making again!

Last week’s zucchini brownies were a hit. Definitely a recipe worth making again!

So when  Sam said, “Mom, I love zucchini!” I was so surprised but yet so excited that I had found a way that these boys love this vegetable. Okay, I know it was zucchini brownies and chocolate zucchini muffins, but it is a step in the right direction!

One of our goals is to help you also achieve some of this with your families. That is why we ask the boys to share what is “growing on” in the garden with your children and to provide your kids with a weekly treasurer hunt. Hopefully, if they see how their food is grown and where it comes from, they will feel more connected to it and curious about trying it.

Garden Experiments

Did you know that field corn is different then sweet corn. We also have three other varieties of corn growing in our garden: ornamental corn, popcorn and broom corn.

Did you know that field corn is different from sweet corn. We also have three other varieties of corn growing in our garden: ornamental corn, popcorn and broom corn.

Keith and Sam both wanted their Dad to lift them up to see how tall or neighbors corn was. As you can see, it is quite tall. This height helps to generate additional photosynthesis to help the plant produce a good crop. Did you know that field corn can grow between 8-12 feet high and an average ear of corn will have 800 kernels.

Keith and Sam both wanted their Dad to lift them up to see how tall or neighbors corn was. As you can see, it is quite tall. This height helps to generate additional photosynthesis to help the plant produce a good crop. Did you know that field corn can grow between 8-12 feet high and an average ear of corn will have 800 kernels.

Boxes of Produce

Love this photo that Keith took with some of the vegetables.

Love this photo that Keith took with some of the vegetables.

Please remember to return any cups or plastic containers in your box each week. Remember food safety in your kitchen when preparing, always wash your before eating.

Black Seeded Simpson Elite Lettuce – One of my favorite garden crops. These crops have taken a hit with the lack of rain.

Red Oak Leaf Lettuce

Prizehead – is the spear like green leaf.

The tomatoes are starting to ripen. Yummy!

The tomatoes are starting to ripen. Yummy!

Tomatoes – Yellow Girls, Romas and cherry tomatoes.

Broccoli – A new addition to your boxes this year. Let us know what you think of this variety of broccoli.

Keith picking onions. The boys have tried raw onions. Good thing they enjoy harvesting them more then they like to eat them!

Keith picking onions. The boys have tried raw onions. Good thing they enjoy harvesting them more than they like to eat them!

Onions – A few fresh onions to put in a recipe here or there.

Green Beans – These type of green beans are Providers.

When we were digging potatoes, Sam is still all about finding the worms! He finds that the worms and the potatoes are both treasurers.

When we were digging potatoes, Sam is still all about finding the worms! He finds that the worms and the potatoes are both treasurers.

Potatoes – a few fresh Norland red potatoes for you. Learn about potato harvest in Colorado.

Look what the boys found in the garden, just a few cucumbers.

Look what the boys found in the garden, just a few cucumbers.

Cucumbers – The harvest is beginning. Varities include Fancipak, Straight Eights and Japanese. Let us know if you are interested in any for pickling.

Summer Squash Medley and Zucchini – If your kids want to measure a zucchini/summer squash and watch it grow for a week, let me know. It really is amazing how fast they grow. See recipe below.

Dill...photo by Keith

Dill…photo by Keith

Herbs – Golden Oregano, Red Rubin Basil, dill and lemon thyme (bags are labeled with the first initial).

Fresh cut arrangement – A variety went out in your boxes as I had enough variety but not enough of one type for each of you. So the varieties included: Sunflowers or Zinnias with Hosta leaves.

Recipe of the Week

Chocolate Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins - a winner in this household.

Chocolate Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins – a winner in this household.

Chocolate Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins

•3 cups all-purpose flour

•1 1/2 cup sugar

•2 teaspoon baking soda

•2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/3 cup cocoa

•1 teaspoon salt

•2 eggs, lightly beaten

•1 cup applesauce

•1/2 cup milk

•2 tablespoons lemon juice

•2 teaspoons vanilla extract

•2 cups shredded zucchini

•1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

•1/2 cup chopped walnuts Directions

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Combine the egg, oil, milk, lemon juice and vanilla; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in zucchini, chocolate chips and walnuts. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Garnish with a few miniature chocolate chips. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until muffins test done. Yield: about 2 dozen. Recipe modified from Tasteofhome.com.

Happy boys in the morning is always a great thing!

Happy boys in the morning is always a great thing!

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