It’s Spring! – really
And planting has started at the Tokeneke Elementary School garden.
Starting in late April, the Tokeneke Edible Garden Committee brings in over 450 children to plant vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a fenced-off area adjacent to the school.
In the garden, students plant vegetables like peas, carrots, arugula, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers, and garlic, and flowers like sunflowers and zinnias, according to Sarah Madson, parent and head of the garden committee.
Every child gets a chance to plant something in the garden and to learn where their food comes from, she said.
Photo from the Darien Public Schools News of the Week newsletter
Growing in the Tokeneke School garden
The garden also serves as the backdrop for the Lunch Bunch program. Parents can sign up to have lunch with their child in the garden. The children, and parents, love the chance to eat outside and take in some fresh air, said Principal Mary Michelson.
In the summer, the garden committee members and volunteers from the community maintain the garden. Families sign up for a week of watering and some general care-taking. In exchange, they can take home any ripe vegetables.
“It’s wonderful to see all the children get so excited about growing their own vegetables. We hope that starting children off early with an appreciation of vegetable gardening will foster a habit of healthy eating,” said Madson.
_________________
— Marc Marin is district director of instructional technology. This article is republished from the Darien Public Schools News of the Week newsletter.