Zachary Lane Elementary Helps Cultivate Good Growing Habits
The gardens at Zachary Lane Elementary School in Plymouth — both indoor and outdoor — are well used.
The school’s outdoor garden beds were installed in 2020. Soon after, teachers wanted to start offering gardening classes throughout the year.
Working with the University of Minnesota Extension Hennepin County Master Gardeners program, as well as parents, the school developed a Junior Master Gardeners program.
The school offers year-long courses in gardening in its grow lab. An empty classroom at the school was converted into a gardening classroom, complete with grow lights so students can plant throughout the year.
Students at Zachary Lane Elementary plant lettuce, peas and radishes in outdoor beds.
And with the weather warming this spring, the students headed outside to apply their newfound gardening knowledge to the outdoor beds.
“I feel like they learn the application of what they’re learning, as well as kind of getting that hands-on experience of seeing where food comes from,” said Asha Goude, a Zachary Lane parent and Master Gardener intern. “Because I think a lot of students or kids may just think that it comes from a grocery store.”
Goude said the students jump at the chance to work in the garden.
“I think every time a student comes out here, they get excited because they’re like I can be back outside and it gives them a different opportunity to be themselves instead of just being at recess,” she said.
Master Gardener and parent Ann Dybvig concurred.
“They love to see the process of how it transforms as it goes along, and it’s a delight, they’re delighted in what comes out,” she said.
This year’s Zachary Lane kindergarteners will be eligible for a Junior Master Gardener certification by the time the reach fifth grade.
