St. John’s Preschool does more than just nurture young minds. Children are learning to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers in a greenhouse in St. John’s. To show off what they have learned, the kindergarten held a bake sale last Saturday where they proudly displayed and sold the vegetables they had harvested.
As well as cakes, cookies and other treats, the children helped sell their harvest. Produce included three types of lettuce, potatoes, bok choy, beans, snap peas, radishes, turnips, parsnips, carrots and strawberries. Herbs such as thyme, basil, parsley and chives were also available. There were also fresh eggs (not from the greenhouse!).
Kindergarten teacher Lisa Riggs said the greenhouse is a valuable teaching tool. She says, “By using the greenhouse, they learn to grow and harvest their own food. They learn how plants grow.”
Every Thursday is Greenhouse Day for preschoolers. A baby praying mantis recently hatched, so the children learned about praying mantises. There are also goldfish, salamanders, and frogs in the greenhouse.
Through the bake sale, the children also learned how to serve the community. They helped serve customers and took tours of the greenhouse.
Maysyn Harris and Harlo Johnson said their favorite vegetables are carrots and potatoes because “they were fun to get into the ground and pull out.” Katherine Wimmer said she liked flowers and fish because “she was beautiful.”
St. John’s Conservatory opened to the public Saturday morning for tours.
Over 100 people toured the greenhouse that morning, making the event even more special.
(Photo provided by Maureen Lawler)
