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NWP Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists - Far-Rockaway, Queens, New York, USA

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Far-Rockaway, Queens, New York, USA
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krazybounce2k6



Registered: December 2009
City/Town/Province: Far-Rockaway
Posts: 1
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Green Thumbs for Bell Peppers


It is always a pleasure for me to know that I am helping the environment while I spend hours planting. My first encounter with planting was in the second grade where I learned about the processes of photosynthesis and gas exchange - after allowing my pea and corn kernel to germinate for a class project. Ever since then, I started to plant while keeping in mind, the interesting fact that the trees we plant and nurture help to keep us alive by releasing oxygen into the environment. My knowledge of this gas exchange cycle caused me to realize, from a tender age of seven, how important plants are in our environment. With this mentality, I planted various flowers and vegetables, especially Bell Peppers. Often times, I would hear my grandmother say, "You have a 'green-thumb' child!", as I happily ran to show her the Bell Peppers that my plants have produced. Today, as a teenager, I still hear these words from those I know and as I gradually grow, so does my abounding interest in the environment and willingness to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle as an apprentice ecologist.


As a young child with a small vegetable and flowers garden, I learned how to properly care for native plants of Jamaica. I would arise early every morning, eager to water my garden before going to school and before preparing for supper, I would water them again, especially on a very humid day. This process of caring for my garden gave me a sense of responsibility without feeling burdened because I enjoyed watching the flowers and vegetables transform from a sprout into a plant; thus reflecting my personal transformation as I worked in my garden each day, becoming more knowledgeable about various plants and their development under certain environmental conditions.


As a sophomore, while attending the Thomas A. Edison Vocational and Technical High School in New York, I joined the Environmental Club. At this time, the club was in its infancy, but I was very delighted to have been able to join this group of people who shared my interest of planting, beautifying the school and making the environment better. With the other club members, I planted various flowers at the school's main entrance and elsewhere on the school's compound, and while doing so, learned how to better care for these plants in my new environment. We would plant seeds in an incubator, as a make-shift outdoor garden, during the Winter and then transfer the delicate plants onto designated plots outside during the Spring, when the evidence of Winter have disappeared. It was always a joy for us, as a group, to water these plants, watch their gradual growth and notice other people enjoying the beautiful flowers that bloom. Through these moments, we became inspired to do more and invited other students to join us in an effort to beautify our environment and make it a better place.


As a result of my involvement in this club, I began to yearn for my own garden at home, despite the fact that I was lacking a backyard space. As the months went by, however, I grew determined to plant a garden that will supply my family and friends with fresh and healthy vegetables. On the first day of my summer vacation in the year 2008, I realized a small plot of land at the side of the house where I could start a small vegetable garden and without delay, I started to remove large stones and pebbles from the soil. The next day, I aerated the soil in preparation to sow the dried Bell Pepper seeds I have gathered. Instead of asking the local nursery to donate these seeds, I collected, saved and dried the seeds of a Bell Pepper that I bought from the supermarket because I wanted to replicate what my grandmother had been doing for many years. When I was younger, I would watch my grandmother plant her garden using seeds she saved from the fruits and vegetables that have disintegrated. She would gather these seeds then place them into the sun for approximately a week to dry. During this time period, my grandmother and I would plow the soil in preparation for planting and when the seeds have dried to her liking, I would help her to plant them by forming the holes where these seeds will transform into productive plants and trees.


As the summer progressed, I watched my Bell Pepper seeds grow from sprouts, then into plants which produced vegetables. At every step of the way, I nurtured these plants by watering and mulching them so they could survive the season's heat. I would watch the weather channel to know when it would rain and when there would be a heat wave. With this information, I planned when and how much I would water my garden. For example, if it was due to rain on a particular day, I would not water the plants the evening before that day, but if a heat wave was on its way, I would water the plants in double amounts during this time. I did this because I learned that water availability can affect the growth and production of plants. If the soil is too saturated with water, the roots may undergo decomposition and as a result the plant may die. The same may happen when they soil is extremely dry. I was very happy when my Bell Peppers grew to maturity and they could be picked because this showed that I took great care of the plants during their growth process. By the end of summer, I reaped my garden with plenty joy and pride, and distributed my produce to neighbors, family and friends so they too could share in my achievement by enjoying an organic, fertilizer-free Bell Pepper.


I was most particularly inclined to plant my Bell Peppers without fertilizers and extra unnatural aids. I wanted my peppers to be a hundred percent organic and this I have accomplished. All my neighbors, friends and family were surprised how my peppers compared to those they purchased at the supermarket as they related that my Bell Peppers stayed fresher for longer, tasted healthier and gave a more distinct flavor in the dishes in which they were used. I was contented with my ability to illustrate to those around me that planting is fun and highly important both for the environment and for humans.


Planting, which I learned in second grade, is extremely vital to human existence as plants use the carbon dioxide humans exhale, in order to make food during photosynthesis, and in return provide oxygen for humans to inhale and survive.The cycle of gas exchange, is important; therefore, the more we plant trees the better it will be for humans. Likewise, when we plant trees, we are helping to eliminate the harmful greenhouse gases in the environment which are currently causing global warming and the depletion of the ozone layer. If we continue to ignore this rapid depletion, and fail to stop deforestation and continued harmful gas emissions, the ozone layer will eventually be completely destroyed and more people will grow to have skin cancer. Another way in which planting trees helps to make our surroundings better is through reducing soil erosion in the areas that are prone to land slides. The roots of a plant usually hold firm the soil by which it is surrounded and prevents the soil from 'sliding' away - a dangerous issue especially if people are closeby. As illustrated above, planting is essential for human survival in many different aspects. Another important issue is how planting affects human consumption. Before the 19th century, a period of Industrialization, families relied on an Agrarian way of producing what they consumed and used. They would plant seeds, nurture the plants and enjoy the fruits and vegetables they produced. Today, in this economy where families are finding it harder to survive, a seasonal vegetable garden per household would reduce the burdens on the pocket at the supermarket and allow for healthier eating habits and a stronger family bond.


In conclusion, planting is fun! I feel rejuvenated and refreshed every time I watch the seeds I have placed in the soil grow into productive plants. Planting may be time-consuming or a tedious task, but after considering how beneficial this activity is to my health, and environment, I grow to love planting in my personal vegetable garden and with those who share the same interests.
· Date: December 31, 2009 · Views: 6008 · File size: 39.9kb, 452.0kb · : 2500 x 1875 ·
Hours Volunteered: 125
Volunteers: 3
Authors Age & Age Range of Volunteers: 5 & 16 to 38
Native Trees Planted: 25
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