Beverly Shores Elementary has joined our Tower Garden Program courtesy of the USDA Food and Nutrition Services grant. These students will not only learn to grow their own food, but they’ll consume it and share with fellow students!
The prior garden (shown below) was made possible in part by The Pollination Project. This organization is committed to making real change in the world by funding projects that will not only make a local difference, but have sustainable impact on our world for the better. These students are that difference!!
Thank you to Black Kow for the beautiful compost and bedding soil. It’s the first step for a successful school garden. We appreciate our capable volunteers!
Add seeds and students, and the fun begins. Starting with lettuce, cabbage and chard seedlings, the students also planted carrot, turnip, beet, lettuce and radish seeds.
All were amazed by how small some of the seeds were and how delicate. Next, we installed Mister Landscaper irrigation, generously donated by the company for our school garden program. This system is super easy–even a kid can do it!
Besides, water play is fun, right? However, it can become muddy. CAUTION. Laundry chores ahead.
So exciting to see another school garden sprouting up in our community!
Thank you to all of our supporters! We couldn’t do it without YOU.
Update: Look how beautiful their garden has grown. Kale, lettuce, cabbage, radish–it’s all flourishing!
In fact, it’s already harvest time in the Beverly Shores Garden. Why, look at these students pulling radish from the beds.
Oops. So what if that cabbage looked like a radish. They have more of where that came from, plus, they can always compost!
This dedicated team of gardeners did a splendid job, harvesting two full trays of radish. Combine those with the scallions they pulled and I’m envisioning a gorgeous salad in their future.
Maybe even a radish sandwich? Radish smoothie? The possibilities are endless! Why, radish might just be the perfect school snack, wouldn’t you agree? Clipped and washed, those ruby reds are a wonderful mix of crunch and spice.
Whatever these gardeners decide, there’s enough to share. Kudos to these kids. Can’t wait to see what these student gardeners plant next! #thinkspring
Warm weather means it’s time to plant beans, peppers, tomatoes and more! These students are starting their seeds in containers, because in Florida, there is always the possibility of one last cold snap. Not good for our tender seedlings who crave the heat.
Starting them indoors allows the students to get a head start on spring gardening as they can easily transplant these into the garden upon their return from spring break.
Cardboard egg cartons make the perfect seed starter trays! And just look at how they’ve grown…
Recycling at its best, these egg-seedling trays can be separated and planted directly into the garden. #ecofriendlygardening Water in and get ready for spring!
Spring brings warm weather planting like tomatoes.
And once we harvest these babies, we’ll put everything away for storage and start again next school year!
As this class of students says goodbye, let the 2019-20 School Year Garden Program begin! And what a fabulous beginning…
The tomatoes and basil look very happy. As do these young gardeners.
They really wanted to grow pumpkin for Halloween this year, but didn’t realize that it should have been planted last May/June to be ready in time.
So they brought in this pumpkin from a North Carolina farm for inspiration. I don’t know about you, but I believe that goal setting is the first step to success. Go Beverly Shores!
Move over pumpkins, the sunflowers are taking center stage. These beauties are thriving as are our student gardeners.
Sunflower seeds are edible and make the perfect component for bird feeders. So in case you’re stuffed full of seeds and looking to share, check out this pine cone bird feeder craft. Great fun for all ages!
Tomatoes and basil are bushy and lush. Looks like these fruit are not too far from maturity. A good thing. We’ve had some near freezing temps of late, and cold weather will certainly end this plant’s productivity.
Not bad for December in the garden! But with January rolling in, the sunflower is taller than the students.
And it’s time to harvest some delectable produce from the school garden.
Great job, students! In Florida, it’s time to plant potatoes. Stay-tuned!