Westminster Schools owe a HUGE thank you to area farmers and in particular, Paul and Elizabeth Harlow of Harlow Farm. For decades, Harlow Farm has donated endless hours of expertise   to every facet of the our growing school garden.  Pictured below are Westminster students and the Harlows before school let out last spring, getting a lesson on how to plant popcorn seedlings.

Last spring third graders started flats of marigolds from seed. They recycled milk cartons and transplanted the tender seedlings a few weeks later. The students sold most of their marigolds for a fund raising project. They voted to donate the money they made to a local food shelf. Last June our preschool garden friend, Declan Lisai, and his mom, Emily, helped to plant the leftover marigolds on the edge of our garden. They’ve almost grown into a hedge in two months as you can see below. Declan also helped trim the saplings we’re using as a framework for our garden  shade tent. As you can see he’s already got the knack for using tools properly! We’re hoping that this frame can be used to support climbing beans next year.