THIS ISSUE 2-3 Garden Spotlights 4 Peek-A-Boo Flower Pot 5 Newspaper Garden Pots SM WHAT’S GROWING ON AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM • SPRING 2021 / VOLUME NO. 1

Seed, sprout and grow!

ardening is an enjoyable activity for all ages, but especially Gfor children, it’s an opportunity to learn and grow while getting their hands dirty. In gardens, students are given a space to reconnect with the world School gardens encourage students to take an interest in where their food comes from, learn the around them and learn importance of a healthy diet and develop learning skills while getting their hands dirty. important lessons about agricultural systems. By children to take pride are assisted by heavy advantages. growing their own fruits in their work, and farming equipment and Because gardens are and vegetables, students garden-based learning advanced technology, much smaller than farms, can discover where their has been shown to most gardening work gardeners can plant food comes from, how positively impact is done by hand and is whatever they want in it’s produced and how it students’ behavioral and labor-intensive. Seeds their plots, while most provides nourishment. educational development. typically are planted farms are limited in the Students also can As students continue individually in small number of commodities learn the importance to learn in the field, quantities in gardening they can efficiently of a healthy diet by they’ll also discover the plots. By contrast, produce. With less land growing their own differences between farmers use drills and to manage, gardeners food. Additionally, growing crops in gardens planters to plant seeds can focus on individual gardening promotes and raising them across hundreds or plants to ensure plentiful physical activity—a key commercially on farms. thousands of acres in harvests, making self- component in fighting While farmers’ efforts their fields. sustenance an achievable childhood obesity. to produce their However, gardening dream for agriculturalists Gardening encourages commodities often doesn’t come without its of any experience level. 2 SPRING 2021 / WHAT’S GROWING ON IN VIRGINIA Garden Spotlights

MARIE CULVER – Seatack What advice do you have stock tanks. We were able to find Elementary School, Virginia Q for other teachers looking to a matching grant, and now each Beach start or expand a garden? kindergarten classroom has its own How did your garden begin? My advice is to start small vegetable garden. This year we Q How has it grown? with a big vision. Our garden were awarded an additional grant A to add a tub in which we’ll plant Our garden began in May started as a big dream with six native plants to attract pollinators. A 2016 with six raised beds. It’s raised beds, and now it is the most now a community garden with 27 important part of our school. The What plants do you have in raised beds. We use the herbs and garden not only nurtures plants, Q your garden? Which have vegetables for school lunches, and but also dreams and memories worked especially well? the students’ families also harvest for our school family. One first We begin the planting fresh produce throughout the grader said, "Our garden is my best process in early spring with entire year. friend." A everything that is found in Peter What plants do you have in Rabbit's garden: cabbage, carrots, Q your garden? Which have cucumbers, green beans, lettuce, worked especially well? onions, peas, parsley, radishes and spinach. Our lettuce is the first to Our garden includes apples, crop up and is the last thing that asparagus, basil, blueberries, A we harvest in the fall. The lettuce broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, reseeds itself well and provides carrots, cauliflower, celery, cilantro, us with fresh leaves for many collard greens, dill, figs, kale, lemon months. We also grow miniature thyme, lettuce, mint, okra, oregano, pumpkins starting in July, as soon parsley, peaches, pears, radishes, as the salad veggies have reached rosemary, rutabagas, strawberries, their maturity. The pumpkins did Swiss chard and tomatoes. beautifully this year, and each Our crops are doing well, and kindergarten student picked their our students plant twice a year. Seatack Elementary School students own pumpkin while we are unable Everything is growing despite develop problem-solving skills harvesting to visit pumpkin patches. The occasional pests that we eliminate fruits, herbs and vegetables from the students also were able to use the organically. school’s community garden. pumpkins in the classroom for many learning activities. What has been your best SHARON MOHRMANN teaching moment using the Q – Orange County Elementary What has been your best garden? School Q teaching moment using the The best teaching moments How did your garden begin? garden? come when our students A Q How has it grown? Harvest day is the highlight plant their crops and nurture their Our Peter Rabbit Gardens of each year. In late May, grades’ raised beds independently. A began 13 years ago in raised we are able to harvest all of the The students also are independently A beds that grew more weeds than vegetables that have reached harvesting crops, collecting data vegetables. Four years ago, we their maturity to make a salad for and problem-solving, and are received a grant that has allowed our afternoon snack. Watching becoming confident gardeners. us to purchase 300-gallon plastic the students get their little hands AgInTheClass.org 3

in the soil, carefully clipping the lettuce leaves, picking the small peas and pulling up the bright red radishes—their eyes get as big as the radishes as they pull that surprise from the soil.

What advice do you have Q for other teachers looking to start or expand a garden? With many trials, I have A learned that good soil and containers make a world of difference. Also, having a close water source is helpful. I have hauled many gallons of water on hot days. Finding a local garden Students monitor the progress of leafy greens in Orange County Elementary School’s Peter Rabbit Gardens. club or master gardener to assist with obtaining plants or seeds or serving as an extra pair of hands is helpful. The combination of ANGELA MILLS – Oakland The grasses grew quickly classroom lessons and hands-on Elementary School, Suffolk A and excited the students. The experiences make for a very How did your garden begin? carrot, lettuce and pumpkin seeds successful learning environment. Q How has it grown? also grew well, and one pumpkin was harvested. Our garden began after A students harvested pumpkin What has been your best seeds from the class pumpkin Q teaching moment using the and wanted to plant them. After garden? we received a grant that funded The ability for the students to a lighted, indoor growing station, harvest their own pumpkin students could choose to plant A seeds, plant them and see the carrots, flowers, grass, lettuce life cycle of the plant was a very or pumpkin seeds. Our seeds rewarding teaching experience. sprouted and grew very well in our indoor growing station. The What advice do you have balance of the additional funds is Q for other teachers looking to earmarked for benches to provide start or expand a garden? seating for outdoor learning in our The growing station is a garden when school reopens for wonderful way to grow plants students. A indoors during the wintertime. Orange County Elementary School What plants do you have in Bringing the garden inside was students harvest vegetables each May, amazing! while miniature pumpkins are harvested Q your garden? Which have in fall. worked especially well? 4 SPRING 2021 / WHAT’S GROWING ON IN VIRGINIA

CONTENT AREA LESSON PLAN 1 SOL: Science: Life Processes Peek-A-Boo Flower Pot Literacy: Vocabulary

Objective: for students to: Background Knowledge Germinate a seed. The basic necessities for a seed to grow include light, food and water. Sunlight or an artificial lighting system provides the energy plants need Materials to perform photosynthesis, the process they use to produce their own • Flower pot template: Download food. Seeds have built-in food supplies, and the food located inside them using the QR code below, or at will feed plants once they sprout, or germinate, from the seeds. Once a bit.ly/peek-a-boo-flowerpots plant reaches a certain size, it will begin to absorb nutrients from the soil • Plastic sandwich bags through its roots to help with photosynthesis. Water is essential to all • Cotton balls living things, and plants are no exception. Plants receive water through • Water their roots and veins in the stems and leaves, absorbing water from the soil • Seeds that surrounds them. When the area around their roots becomes dry, some • Tape plants’ roots will continue growing to find a new source of water. • Markers or crayons Ornamental plants and flowers, like the ones that typically are found in pots and other containers, are part of the horticulture industry. Horticulture is an important segment of agriculture and includes cut flowers, landscaping plants, turfgrass and many other plants.

Procedure 1. Cut a square in the middle of the flower pot to reveal a window for your seed. 2. Wet a cotton ball. It should be thoroughly wet, but not dripping. 3. Place two to three seeds on the cotton ball, and place it inside the plastic bag. 4. Close the bag, and tape it to one side of the flower pot. 5. Allow students to color and decorate their flower pots. 6. Tape flower pots to a window to allow students to monitor their seeds’ germination and growth.

Extension Students will visualize how their plants will look as their seeds sprout and Once students’ seeds begin to sprout, you may remove them from the continue growing. plastic bags and replant them in a container. Be careful when removing seedlings from the cotton balls, as the roots may tear. Seeds and plants best suited for replanting are flowers such as daisies, marigolds and zinnias, or vegetables such as beets, peppers or radishes. Herbs such as basil, cilantro, parsley or rosemary also are excellent plants for preschool container gardens.

Download a Peek-A-Boo Flower Pot template, and discover additional gardening activities from Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom. AgInTheClass.org 5

 CONTENT AREA LESSON PLAN 2

SOL: Science: K.7, K.9, 2.4, 2.8, 3.4, 3.8, 4.4 Newspaper Garden Pots Objective: for students to: Background Knowledge Germinate a seed. Germination occurs when a seed sprouts and begins to grow. It’s important Materials for students to understand that this process begins when there is a bud • Newspapers present in seeds. Explain to students that their sprout will need some • Seeds time to grow, and that every plant matures at different times. Ask students • Planting soil what their plant will need to grow. All plants need water, light, nutrients • Water from soil, oxygen, time and space to fully mature. This is something you • Empty soup or vegetable cans can teach your students as they plant their own seeds. The process their plants will undergo also is something that should be discussed and monitored for a few weeks.

Procedure 1. Discuss seed germination with students, and identify the conditions seeds need to sprout. 2. Take a sheet of newspaper and fold it horizontally, leaving a portion showing at the top. 3. Fold the remaining portion over the previously folded section to create a thicker top. 4. Place a can so that its edge is level with the top edge of the newspaper. With the newspaper on the outside, roll the can along with the newspaper to create a paper tube. Radish CRISP & TENDER 5. Then, place the can end-down, and fold the

Guaranteed to grow leftover newspaper inward to create the bottom of the pot. 6. Remove the can from the newspaper pot. 7. Fill the pot with soil, and plant seeds. 8. Record the plant’s progress in a journal. Newspaper pots give students a biodegradable container to continue growing their plants outdoors. Extension Once the plants have grown large enough to plant outside, the entire pot can be planted into the ground. The newspaper will decompose in the soil.

Watch a Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom demonstration of the Newspaper Garden Pots activity! 6 SPRING 2021 / WHAT’S GROWING ON IN VIRGINIA

BONUS ACTIVITIES Square Foot Gardens

quare foot gardens you can plant several are ideal for seeds in each 12" x 12" Sraised beds and square. containers, offering a • One plant per square- great way for students to foot, with one seed take ownership of their planted in the center of own gardening sections. each square: broccoli, In your garden, mark off Teachers and students can decide what to plant inside each cabbage, cauliflower, 12” x 12” square. square-foot grids using head lettuces, kale, twine or wood slats. large sunflowers, Patio greens, parsley, corn salad (mache), Otherwise, use pots that tomatoes, peanuts, parsnips, shallots, small leeks, nasturtiums and are 12 inches in diameter. peppers, potatoes and sunflowers, sweet corn spinach. New Zealand spinach. Planting (small varieties), Swiss • Sixteen plants per recommendations • Four plants per square chard and turnips. square foot, with seeds Once your garden is foot, with seeds • Nine plants per square planted 3 inches apart marked off, you can planted 6 inches apart foot, with seeds planted inside each square: decide which plants go inside each square: 4 inches apart inside beets, carrots, cumin, in each square-foot grid. basil, coriander, dill, each square: anise, garden cress, onions Depending on the plant, leaf lettuces, mustard bush beans, chervil, and radishes.

SEED BALLS: Get your hands dirty by making these with your students!

o create a seed ball, you will need VIDEO LESSONS Tcraft clay, potting soil and seeds. Seeds from native wildflowers make an excellent choice because they will attract Watch horticulturalist pollinators, an essential and floral designer visitor to any successful David Pippin garden. demonstrate helpful tips To make between Combine craft clay, soil and seeds to make your own seed balls. and tricks for successful 24-30 seed balls, begin container gardens. by combining 10 ½ ounces of craft clay a plot in your garden or yard in need with 6 ounces of potting soil. If the of extra greenery, and lay them on the mixture is too dry, you may need to ground. Flowers will begin to grow once add some water. The consistency of the the seeds have been watered or it rains. soil mixture should be similar to cookie Watch a Virginia dough. Next, add 3 ounces of seeds to Listen to a reading of Agriculture in Demi’s The Empty Pot, the mixture, and form into balls about the Classroom narrated by actor the size of golf balls. demonstration of the Rami Malek. To plant the seed balls, simply find Seed Balls activity! AgInTheClass.org 7

BOOK CORNER

Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table, Jacqueline Briggs Martin, Lerner Publishing Group, ISBN: 9781430130017 The Extraordinary Gardener, Sam Boughton, Abrams Books, ISBN: 9781849766043 City Green, DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan, Harper Collins, ISBN: 9780688127862 What’s in the Garden?, Marianna Berkes, Sourcebooks, ISBN: 9781584691907 First Peas to the Table: How Thomas Jefferson Inspired a School Garden, Susan Grigsby, Albert Whitman & Company, ISBN: 9780807524558 First Garden: The White House Garden and How it Grew, Robbin Gourley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, ISBN: 9780547574042 Grandpa’s Garden, Stella Fry, Barefoot Books, ISBN: 9781846860522

Garden theme suggestions Books make great garden themes! Depending on the size of your plot, you can draw inspiration from popular stories to implement in your own classroom garden. Fun examples are The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Jack and the Beanstalk, Tops and Bottoms, The Tiny Caterpillar and Growing Vegetable Soup. NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID RICHMOND, VA SM PERMIT NO. 2162 WHAT’S GROWING ON IN VIRGINIA Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom P.O. Box 27552, Richmond, Virginia 23261

About the Newsletter

What’s Growing On in Virginia? is a semiannual publication for Virginia educators and those who want to connect children with agriculture through education.

Program Coordinators: Tammy Maxey, Lynn Black Editorial Staff: Adam Culler, Kathy Dixon Graphic Designers: Maria La Lima, Patricia Hooten

For additional information and activities, visit our website at AgInTheClass.org or call 804-290-1143

Agriculture in the Classroom extends a special thank you to Cargill, the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and Virginia Poultry Federation for their generous support. To learn more about AITC’s mission, including how to support us, visit AgInTheClass.org.

Gardening teaches students to take pride and ownership in their work.