Soil Block Recipe Lesson Summary In this lesson, students will learn about the ingredients of soil blocking mix. Students will discover the purpose of each ingredient, convert the quantity of each ingredient in the recipe, accurately measure and mix the ingredients, and understand how to create the ideal environment for germinating seeds. Lesson Objectives Students will be able to: 1. Identify each ingredient in the soil blocking mix recipe. 2. Understand the purpose of each ingredient. 3. Convert recipe amounts by one third, in order to discover the appropriate amounts of each ingredient. 4. Accurately measure each ingredient using different measuring tools. 5. Understand that by using this recipe we can create the ideal environment for germinating seeds and growing healthy plants. Assessments Students will: 1. Successfully name and identify each ingredient. 2. Explain the purpose of each ingredient in the soil mix. 3. Accurately calculate one third of each ingredient amount provided. 4. Use various tools to successfully measure out each ingredient. 5. Define, in their own words, the meaning of germination. Materials 1. Soil blocking mix ingredients (compost, garden soil, brown peat, lime, vermiculite, blood meal, rock phosphate, and greensand). 2. Soil blocking mix recipe worksheet. 3. Garden cart or wheelbarrow. 4. Five gallon bucket. 5. Measuring cup. Before you begin 1. Make a soil block mix and soil blocks two weeks ahead of time. 2. Plant lettuce or another fast germinating plant. Procedure: At opening circle 1. Gather students and introduce the lesson for the day 2. Explain that students should be prepared to share one thing they learned with the group at the end of class. 3. Ask students to define the word germination. 4. Describe that germination is the process in which a new plant emerges from a seed. 5. Explain that in order for a seed to germinate it needs a certain set of conditions that are different for every plant (i.e., temperature, oxygen, moisture, exposure to light, contact with soil). 6. Explain that in order for a seed to germinate and grow into a healthy plant it needs access to certain macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), many micronutrients and minerals, and water, air, and sunlight. 7. Explain that by using a recipe we can create the ideal environment for a seed to germinate and grow into a healthy plant. At soil mixing station 1. Pass out the Soil blocking mix worksheet. 2. Ask students to take turns reading each ingredient in the recipe. 3. Show the students each ingredient as they are being read one at a time. 4. Invite students to touch each ingredient and describe its texture. 5. Encourage students to explain what they think each ingredient provides to the recipe. 6. Explain the purpose of each ingredient: a. Brown peat -­‐ helps to retain moisture and adds “body” to the mixture. b. Lime -­‐ used to raise the pH of the mixture to a level suitable for plants. c. Vermiculite -­‐ provides porosity for the mixture for air and water. d. Soil -­‐ provides stable, sustained release of nutrition to plants. e. Compost -­‐ provides stable, sustained release of nutrition to plants. f. Greensand -­‐ provides potassium and a broad spectrum of micronutrients. g. Rock phosphate -­‐ provides phosphorous to the soil mixture. h. Blood meal -­‐ provides nitrogen to the soil mixture. 7. Ask students to convert each ingredient amount on their worksheet to one third of that amount. 8. Ask for volunteers to provide their answer for each ingredient amount and how they arrived at that answer. Provide correct answers, if necessary 9. Invite one student at a time to measure out the amount calculated for each ingredient using either a five-­‐gallon bucket or a measuring cup. 10. Once all ingredients are accurately measured and added to the wheelbarrow encourage all students to help mix the soil with their hands. 11. Explain that at this point water is added to the mix and soil blocks are made using a soil blocker. 12. Show students the previously made soil blocks and newly germinated plants. At closing circle 1. Go around the circle and ask students to share one new piece of information they learned. Encourage students to not repeat information already shared by a peer. Resources 1. The New Organic Grower -­ Eliot Coleman 2. Soil blocking mix recipe worksheet. New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards
Mathematics
• 7.NS
o Apply and extend previous understandings of operations with fractions to
add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers.
o Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving the four operations
with rational numbers.
• 7.EE
o Solve real-life and mathematical problems using numerical and algebraic
expressions and equations.
English Language Arts: Speaking and Listening
• 7.1 SL
o Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in
groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and
issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
• 7.2 SL
o Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media
and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how the
ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study.
Soil Blocking Mix Recipe Worksheet 1 ½ buckets (5 gallon bucket) brown peat ½ cup lime 1 bucket perlite ½ bucket soil 1 bucket compost 1 cup greensand 1 cup rock phosphate 1 cup blood meal What are the amounts needed for each ingredient in order to make one third of this recipe? _____ buckets brown peat _____ cup lime _____ bucket perlite _____ bucket soil _____ bucket compost _____ cup greensand _____ cup rock phosphate _____ cup blood meal Glossary Ingredients Brown peat -­‐ helps to retain moisture and adds “body” to the mixture Lime -­‐ used to raise the pH of the mixture to a level suitable for plants Perlite -­‐ provides porosity for the mixture for air and water Soil -­‐ provides stable, sustained release of nutrition to plants Compost -­‐ provides stable, sustained release of nutrition to plants Greensand -­‐ provides potassium and a broad spectrum of micronutrients Rock phosphate -­‐ provides phosphorous to the soil mixture Blood meal -­‐ provides nitrogen to the soil mixture Plants Macronutrients Nitrogen – stimulates vigorous leaf growth Phosphorus – important for plant growth and formation of flowers and fruit Potassium – reduces water loss from leaves and improves the ability of the plant’s roots to take up water yielding a more drought resistant plant.