Members of AYLUS Syosset participated in planting commonly used plants such as garlic, onion and shallot with members from AYLUS Dix Hills and Great Neck with the Stewardship Saturday Program at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum Farm. Members were taught to plant garlic, onion and shallot sprouts in large rows of damp soil and mulch that acted as the plant beds. Members worked together to cover large spans of the farm ground. Each plant was planted one foot away from each other and small shovels were used to dig the holes needed to place them in. Many of the Bayard Cutting Arboretum staff members, such as Mike, Johnny and Lisa instructed everyone on how to carefully place and cover the plants with soil to ensure that they would stay in place and also be loose enough to receive sufficient water and nutrients.
Additionally, members spotted two native killdeers. Killdeers are a species of plover, a type of bird commonly found in flat, soil-covered areas. Killdeers have excellent camouflage as their coloring allows them to blend in with their surroundings. They are also capable of showing a few defense mechanisms, such as the broken wing display. The one that members saw was sitting over its nest of four eggs. The farm staff assured members that they will be closing their nesting area and reserving it just for the killdeer.
Members participated include:
Alyssa Huang (3 h), Sophie Liu (5th grade, 2.5 h), Sophie Li (6th grade, 2.5 h), Sophia Liu (11th grade 2.5 h), Tommy (Haotian) Tang (2.5h) , Alain Huang (3rd grade, 1h).
