Before school ended last year, the students at Monroe Middle School planted pumpkin, watermelon and zucchini seeds under the guidance of our Volunteers in the Garden. What appeared when they returned this fall to the garden was a surprise – 22 pumpkins, awesome zucchini and a few watermelons.
The students carved the pumpkins and with the help of the volunteers, who roasted the pumpkin seeds, had a chance to sample a tasty new treat. All indications are they were a HIT! The zucchini went into a mix for zucchini bread/cupcake tasting once baked by the volunteers.
The volunteers and students have started to till the soil in the garden plots and have already planted some daffodil bulbs for spring blooms. Suggested plants for fall include radishes, kale, lettuce, carrots, spinach, onions, coriander and in winter green peas and fava beans. While spring seems months away, the volunteers have strawberries, cherry tomatoes and edible nasturtium on their list for the garden.
Four teams of 4 volunteers each are working with 120 students from 4 science classes turning the soil, pruning, teaching how to use the instructions on the seed packets for the best results, designing a butterfly garden and an English knot garden, tasting lemons and limes and pomegranates.
When rainy days keep the students from working in the garden, the volunteers are putting together a variety of topics to keep them excited and enthusiastic about their gardening experience.
It looks like this adventure in gardening is on the path to producing a bountiful experience for the students of Monroe Middle School.
