Last week, Darcey and I worked out at Leesville, Elementary in Raleigh to help plant a school garden.  I have to admit that I was nervous about working with several hundred kids in 45 minute blocks over 2 days, but things ran incredibly smoothly. In two days we planted a pizza garden, a 3 sisters garden, a 'kitchen sink' garden, a giant pumpkin garden,a bean garden (with locally grown beans starts from the kindergarten class),  herbs, beneficial perennials, and blueberries.  

We started each session off with a lesson on seeds, photosynthesis and how plants get nutrients to grow.  It was great to hear so many kids name worms at a source or nutrients, instead of Miracle Grow or other synthetic fertilizers.  And in classic kid form, there were more than a few hilarious and genius answers to questions.  Q: What kind of seed is this?  A: A corn seed!  Q: What's inside this corn seed?  A: Corn! 

I think the thing that amazed me the most was how excited everyone was to plant. The school got a solid selection of heirloom veggies, and the kids were very much into the idea of purple tomatoes, white eggplant and multi-colored peppers. 

The biggest hits were the worm compost bin and giant sunflower head.  Kids were lining up to add worm poo compost and to look at the adult and baby worms in the bin.  Then at the end of the day we gave everyone a sunflower seed to take home from Darcey's giant sunflower head from last years 15 foot sunflower. 

I definitely had an amazing time and am happy to hear from one third grader that the kids are talking about how they had an 'awesome' time.  Oh yeah! Maybe we'll take over Hannah Montana's spot as elementary/tween idol for 2009!