The cultivation of delicious crops was at the forefront of a recent yearly initiative at Wenonah Elementary School, as students across grade levels geared up to raise different fruits and vegetables in the building’s numerous growing areas.
Fourth and fifth grade students created pallet gardens to be placed outside each second and third grade classroom for students to plant an assortment of lettuces, radishes and herbs. They also constructed growing trellises for kindergarten and first grade students to plant and care for snow peas.
As part of the expansive study of the growing process, students start seeds inside using both traditional pots and a hydroponic system. As the year progresses, younger students will be paired with older students to hold buddy planting events to transfer the seedlings to their permanent growing place in either the pallet gardens or one of the school’s raised garden beds.
Each year, this outstanding effort led by students and staff produces hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables which are donated to Island Harvest and distributed to families in need.