The Orca K-8 School Garden Blog!

It is quite the sight to see teens eating salad- it warms the heart like not a lot of things do. After surviving this insane winter of gloom, dark clouds, and constant soggy rain- we finally get to enjoy the garden in all it’s delicious glory. Teens are tough cookies- they like what they like. BUT there is something amazing about stripping away preconceptions about food & gardens and just watching kids harvest fresh lettuce & spinach. Even if they think they know they won’t like it, to watch a kid overcome that and eat a whole plate or even a few bites- it’s incredible. This critical relationship w/ food (real fresh organic local food)- is an experience they will carry with them forever.

After the incredible success of our annual plant sale, we set to work donating plants to various non-profits, schools, community gardens, foodbanks, etc. We donated to Harvest Pierce County,  Seattle Young People’s Project,  Rainier Valley Food Bank, Magic Lantern Montessori, Esperanza Senior Housing, Sand Point Child Development Center, Hillman City P-Patch,  and a few more amazing organizations. AND we gave every student at Orca their own tomato if they wanted one. Here at Orca, we like to hook up the community w/ fresh goodies. The whole time we are growing the plants I am reminding students that what we are growing is something that will enrich and feed our communities- especially those in need. Thanks!

It’s that time for us to reach out to the community and let you know about the leftovers from our plant sale this last weekend! If you grow food for food banks, schools, non-profits, senior homes, shelters or any other community service organization- we wanna hook you up. If you grow food to give to others for free- we will give you free plants.

It was an awesome plant sale last Saturday- thanks to all the amazing volunteers and community support! It allows us to give a lot away to those in need. We are giving away these tomatoes, squashes, herbs, strawberries, and so much more. Please contact Anthony at apwarner@seattleschools.org or at 206-696-3192 to schedule a pickup or delivery. SPREAD THE WORD! Please share w/ others!

Share our facebook link to others and help support garden education at ORCA!

Pollination in effect! Students got to wander the garden and spread pollen- sometimes competing with bees and butterflies in the process. We then got to collect our first bouquet of the season w/ many pollinators and sweet smelling plants to enjoy. Check the fingers of these kids and see the pollen dust!

WE ARE BACK TO GIVE YOU MORE OF WHAT YOU NEED! Saturday May 13th! Share our facebook event for the plant sale!

So many amazing varieties of tomatoes (15+ w/ lots o’ heirlooms and cherries) and every other veggie under the sun. Tons of flowers, berries, fruits, herbs, natives- you will love it. Most grown organically by Orca students to support our school and school garden program. We will have Native Plants from Go Natives and massive amounts of additional veggies and starts from Cascadian Edible Landscapes also. We got you covered. What else can we say?

It’s been amazing planting the garden this last week. Beans anyone?

Few activities can match the fun of free exploration time in the garden. Yes we learn about pollination, litter critters, plant cycles, native plants, and so on…. but one sees the absolute magic of the garden when children are set loose to explore and munch what they please. They have been really enjoying edible flowers…

While many times this can be perceived as some type of organized chaos, it should be described as organized joy.

4th grade had a great time doing a  group project using teamwork to put up a  bamboo beanpole teepee growing structure.

Let’s not forget about the greenhouse, which is it’s own tropical wonderland of tomato plants and organic goodies. Plant sale approaching!!!!