by James P. Master Gardener Volunteer(SM)

The Discovery Garden at Frank Liske Park began on June 24th and ended on August 15th this year (2019). I have been involved with this since 2013 and feel that this was the best and most educational garden for the campers that we have had since I started. There were various numbers of campers in the garden during the session and their attendance ranged from 10 to 25 each day.  We met on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
Some of the crops were planted by us early during April to ensure that the campers had some vegetables to pick and eat while they were there. These included corn, tomatoes, peppers, summer squash, cucumbers, cantaloupes and watermelons. All these produced well and the kids were diligent in picking them. Our only problem was that raccoons and skunks were just as diligent in picking. Once the campers came in June, we planted okra, eggplants, beans, additional tomatoes, and cucumbers.

The NC Extension Master Gardener Search for Excellence Awards recognize outstanding leadership and service in the following seven categories: Youth Programs, Demonstration Garden, Workshop or Presentation, Community Service, Innovative Projects, Special Need Audiences (Senior, Disabled, Therapeutic, etc.) and Research (applied scientific methodology). The Search for Excellence Awards are designed to recognize outstanding educational group projects rather than individual accomplishments.