Carroll Education Foundation's Grant Recipients and Sponsors 2010

In The Garden of NEEDEN, the grant funds will be used to improve the soils, repair the garden beds and purchase seeds for planting. In the past, the students have planted annuals (plants that last one season). While these plants add beauty to the garden, their great need for water and nutrients from the soil make them less desirable in mass planting. Across the United States, the shift in gardening is toward sustainability. We plan to reinvigorate the soil and shift the focus of the garden to vegetables and perennials. Our transition garden will focus on one type of vegetable plant. We will plant a variety of bean plants so the students can compare the differences in the patterns of growth from seeds to adult plants. After the plants have matured the students will harvest the plants which is the best part! In the classroom, the students will taste their harvest and compare the different beans. Seeds from the harvest will be preserved for future planting, and our excess harvest can be donated to a local charity or go home with the students with the hope that this will encourage our parents to start home gardens.