Sunset Mesa has a wide range of activities going on in the Garden! There are Preschool and Pre-K students attending weekly outside garden classes, the garden liason's coordinating parent opportunities to participate in our 'giving back' efforts, and Garden Committee members planning the season's growing opportunities.

We are always looking for volunteers from the Sunset Mesa community to help with periodic upkeep of the Garden (tasks that are beyond the abilities of or not appropriate for the children to perform themselves). There are usually a couple of work days each season, plus a short list of tasks each week. In addition, volunteers are needed to help with community outreach projects.

For more information, or to volunteer, contact the Preschool and Pre-K office at 298-7626.

We are in need of certain household items to help in the sale of our harvest such as:

· Used stethoscope (for listening to trees drinking and critters chewing)
· Measuring tape (to measure plant growth)
· Old magnifying glasses (to study mysteries in the garden up close)
· Canning jars with ring lids (as observations bottles to catch, watch and release bugs)
· Used 3” and 5” (approx.) round plant containers (those that plants come in at the nurseries)
· Logs for storytelling log circle
· People with talent and time to help build an outdoor oven
(we may also look to our Native American neighbors for help on this)
· PVC pipe and connectors for a “pipe construction set”

We are always looking for volunteers from the Sunset Mesa community to help with periodic upkeep of the Garden (tasks that are beyond the abilities of or not appropriate for the children to perform themselves). There are usually a couple of work days each season, plus a short list of tasks each week. In addition, volunteers are needed to help with community outreach projects. For more information, or to volunteer, contact the Preschool and Pre-K office at 298-7626.

We will be having what we call and “All-Hands” work session this spring (to get the garden into planting and growing shape), likely in March, with the exact date and time to be announced. We hope to pair the work session with a “guest lecture/visit” by one of our Master Gardener friends who can address spring garden preparation and planting or an expert from a local vineyard who can help us with our grapevine pruning and training.

Julie Kahn also offers a Gardening Class which is an after school class that allows Preschool and Pre-Kers to experience gardening 'hands on'.

Michelle Jaramillo will also offer a Summer Class focused on gardening for little ones. "Come and join us in The Garden, the beautiful Sunset Mesa Preschool and Pre-K outside classroom. We’ll observe and help along the life of plants, insects, birds and other wild life that comes our way. The students will participate in daily lessons of science and exploration while enjoying lots of water activities, literature and many other sun-filled surprises!"

Fall 2008 Planting & Activity Ideas