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Garden of knowledge

Weeding, writing and 'rithmetic are part of Chasco Elementary's curriculum harvest.

By MICHELE MILLER
Published March 16, 2005

PORT RICHEY - Glass Wilson V was more than eager to share his latest discovery with his teacher.

"Look, Miss Carson," the delighted second-grader said as he stood in the classroom doorway holding up the leafy jumbo radish that was spilling bits of dirt on the floor. "It's ready!"

And so it was.

Last week was time for harvesting and replanting for Cindy Carson's second-grade students at Chasco Elementary School.

No doubt it was a rewarding time for the youngsters, who after months of hard work were seeing the fruits of their labor in the neatly tended garden that sits just outside the back door of Portable 4.

Since school started, Carson's students have been garden tenders, seeing to the planting, weeding, "deadheading" (cutting back) and finally the harvesting.

So far the students have enjoyed hearty cabbage stew for the Thanksgiving holiday. Last week they were treated to salsa made from garden tomatoes and green peppers. Robust heads of cabbage were pulled on Friday that, along with some store-bought potatoes, were to be used for a St. Patrick's Day celebration.

Although Carson's students are the primary tillers, the garden has been a collaboration of sorts. The nearby Lowe's home improvement store funds the garden with a $100 a month donation that has purchased seeds, plants, a white wire border and a garden bench.

A Lowe's nursery manager, Faye Brennan, makes occasional visits to the school to give students helpful hints about garden care. Students in the classrooms of Kristin Parmenter, Robyn Plempl, Kelly Goudy and Patty Wanker also chip in from time to time, as well as fifth-grade mentors at the school.

The garden has become a real extension of her classroom, said Carson, who integrates the experience into some worthwhile lessons.

The students write about the garden, use math to measure plants and compare. "They learn about cause and effect - if we don't water the garden, things will die," Carson said.

There are times of shared wonder, such as the morning second-grader Shara Beals discovered a bee sucking nectar from a newly planted Penta.

Even a chewed-looking cabbage leaf is cause for excitement and possible learning experience in the pesticide free plantings. "We're hoping to find a worm," Carson said.

Others benefit from the garden besides the students. There's parsley and basil given to teachers with a yen for using fresh herbs while cooking. Bunches of clipped fresh peppermint and hot cups of tea are offered in the schoolwork room to faculty members who might be feeling a bit under the weather.

It is hoped that the planting of new flowers such as snapdragons, milk thistle and petunias will attract colorful butterflies to the campus in the near future.

"It's a lot of hard work, but the kids enjoy it. It's great hands-on learning. It gives satisfaction. It's good therapy," Carson said. "In the fast-paced world we have, it's shown them that some good things take time."

[Last modified March 16, 2005, 01:33:12]