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Learning through growing

George Elementary School fourth-graders learn about gardening

Rachal Mattson-Pinkerton/contributing writer
Sept. 22, 2011

George Elementary students Gladis Ramirez and Irvine Perez tend the school's garden on Tuesday, Sept. 20.

How do agriculture and education go together? Ask George Elementary teacher Cindy Davis. Her fourth-grade class is responsible for and are the primary caretakers of the George Elementary School garden.

“My second year here,” said Davis, “the principal, Nick Bergman, coordinated with the Master Gardeners to plant a garden here. The fourth-graders are the oldest in the school and it goes with the curriculum.”

Now the garden is in its fourth season.

“It’s a privilege for the students to work in the garden,” said Davis. “It’s something they look forward to.”

However, the garden isn’t restricted to just the fourth-graders. Other teachers are welcome to have their students work in and learn about the garden. During the summers, the garden is also open to the community.

“We wanted to bring a connection,” said Davis. “The community mostly works in agriculture. The garden is something parents have a knowledge of and can do on their own time. It’s a way they can contribute to the school.”

In the past, Master Gardeners, in addition to parents, have helped tend the garden during the summer. This summer, George Elementary parents were entirely responsible for the garden.

“We have a drip-line system connected to the building,” said Davis. “The Master Gardeners were responsible for it in the past. It didn’t happen as easily this year. It’s a difficult procedure we’re working on.”

In the spring, the fourth-grade class researches different seeds and the climates they live in. They decide what seeds they need and want to plant. They also plot where all the seeds are going to be planted, even though they don’t always stick to the plan. Volunteer plants, such as sunflowers, also change the plan. This year, the class planted tomatoes, potatoes, cilantro, chili peppers, zucchini and cucumbers.

“We make salsa out of the peppers, tomatoes and cilantro,” explained Davis.

In the fall, students pull whatever weeds survived the summer and put them into a compost pile. They also winterize and till the garden.

So what do the students enjoy the most?

“Pulling weeds,” said Melissa Ramirez.

“I learned to take care of the garden and not step on flowers,” said Irvine Perez.