Garden Markers Make the Grade in Elementary School
Planting a garden can be as easy as A-B-C. But what happens when you combine gardening and the ABCs? A healthy lifetime learning experience for elementary students. A few weeks ago, Mark Twain Elementary School in St. Joseph, MO had an all-school celebration to open their community garden for its second season. As visions of ripe tomatoes, green beans, corn and other vegetables bloomed in their minds, they were to also have a new addition to their garden this year. Kincaid Plant Markers donated garden markers for the children and families to identify all the delicious and healthy produce they would be growing over the summer.
First thing in the morning, the entire school gathered in the gym to celebrate a new planting season. They sang songs about how each class would care for a part of the garden. They listened as Live Well coordinator, Drew Bouge, spoke passionately about the gifts that community gardens give back to us and our neighborhood. Then, they split up into different groups to visit stations that supported the joys and benefits of gardening as interpreted by Master Gardeners, Girl Scouts and University Extension members. They played a Memory card game and matched pictures of plants with their names. They saw multiple types of vegetables and fruits and they each got a baggy of their own delicious fresh vegetables to snack on.
The rain that morning prevented the first planting of seeds on that day, but the unveiling of the new stainless steel garden markers whetted their appetite for those delicious foods to come. When they planted those seeds later they planted the garden markers also. New sprouts in this newly developed garden will grow alongside those markers. Over the years, the little hands that plant those seeds will grow and, perhaps, someday the children of those children will plant their seeds in this continual feast. As each year passes, and new generations of families pass through the school, Kincaid garden markers will witness each harvest. The rust-proof, sturdy stainless steel will keep time away. Adults may remember the days they put those markers in the ground. Like old friends, they are familiar.
Garden markers will help individuals who aren’t gardeners identify the plants that are growing and offer opportunities for people to both find the vegetables they like and try new foods. The garden is on the property of the school, but all community members are welcome to come in, pull some weeds and harvest some crops for their family. Until seeds sprout, garden markers will keep the location of the plants safe from trampling or digging. Garden markers will also keep workers with good intentions from accidentally pulling up crops they thought were weeds.
Community gardens at elementary schools provide children with lifetime learning. They find out how to grow food that is healthy for them and their family. Seeds don’t cost much, but will produce much. Children can learn math, science, social studies and other skills through their garden.
Kincaid Plant Markers is happy to be a part of helping children become lifetime gardeners and helping the community lead healthier lives. Our garden markers couldn’t stand straighter and taller.
