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May 8, 2017  |  By Crystal Fritz In Schoolyard Gardens

Learning About Insects in the Garden: Harmful vs. Helpful

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Students at Educare Early Learning Center in Kansas City, KS were excited to finally get outside in their gardens after almost six straight days of rain! I met the students for a quick lesson on helpful insects and pests.

We started by looking at pictures of praying mantis, bees, wasps and ground beetles, reviewing each insect’s important role in the garden. We also talked about why we should only look with our eyes and not touch the busy garden helpers. Moving onto pests in the garden, we looked at pictures of cabbage loopers, squash bugs and tomato hornworms. I reminded them when they find these insects in the garden to tell their teacher and pick them off the plant immediately!

As we started to search through the garden, students noticed holes in their broccoli and collard leaves which is a sign that cabbage loopers are snacking on the leaves. We made sure to look over and under, inside and around the plants. But we didn’t find any of the pesky pests! I asked the student why they thought the helpful insects weren’t out and about. Some of their answers were “It’s too cold,” and “The rain made the leaves too slippery for the insects to hold on to,” and “They are hiding to keep warm in the dirt.” This gave me an idea to hand out hand tools and let the students dig for worms, another important garden helper. After I assured them that worms don’t have eyes or teeth and they are here to help the garden, they felt more comfortable digging and searching for worms!

Here are some great Preschool books that will help continue the conversation of garden insects in the classroom:

Bugs in The Garden by Susan Martineau
We Dig Worms by Kevin McCloskey
What Lives in the Garden by John Woodward
I love Bugs by Philemon Sturgess
Worms by Valeri Bodden
Creepy, Crawly, Baby Bugs by Sandra Markle

Educate Early Learning Center garden insects garden pests
Previous StoryThinning Your Garden – Ben’s Tips
Next StoryGrandview High School Students Visit KCCG To Help With Harvest

Related Articles

  • Summer Pests: The Tomato Hornworm
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Recent KCCG Blogs

  • Welcome Taylor, Our New K-12 Gardens Coordinator! Monday, 27, Mar
  • Cool Season Plant Sale 2023 – Everything You Need To Know! Tuesday, 21, Mar
  • Farewell Crystal, but not Goodbye! Tuesday, 24, Jan
  • Community Spotlight: Cultivate KC’s Annual Farmers and Friends Meeting Tuesday, 17, Jan
  • Year in Review – KCCG’s 2022 Community Impact Friday, 30, Dec
  • Indoor Winter Garden Activities Monday, 19, Dec
  • Center High School’s Winter Beanstalk Tour Wednesday, 7, Dec
  • Taste Test Contest Winners – Fall 2022 Tuesday, 29, Nov
  • Cooking For The Holidays Monday, 21, Nov
  • How to Plant Garlic Monday, 14, Nov

Kansas City Community Gardens

6917 Kensington | Kansas City, MO 64132
Phone: 816.931.3877
Email: contact{at}kccg.org
Hours
Mon-Fri : 9am-5pm
Open Tuesdays until 6:30pm (March 28th-May 23rd)
Open Saturdays 9am-12pm (March 25th-May 6th)
Beanstalk Children's Garden - Open on Saturdays 9am-12pm except Labor Day Weekend (Sept 3rd)

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