New Year, Fresh Roots: Growing Together in the Garden

The new year is here, and we’re thrilled to be back in action at The Green Heart Project! After a break to rest, recharge, and reflect, our team is starting 2025 strong with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement for the season ahead.

On January 9th, we kicked things off with our Spring Semester Green Heart Buddy volunteer orientation. This annual tradition sets the tone for the months to come, as we welcome volunteers and students back into the gardens and restart the programs that make Green Heart such a special part of their school experience.

With students officially back in school, the gardens are buzzing with activity once again. Lessons are in full swing, and little hands are busy tending to the soil, harvesting fresh produce, and learning important life lessons along the way.

Lessons in the Garden

In the coming weeks, students are diving into exciting topics, including:

Respect in the Garden: Students are introduced to Green Heart, the garden, and one another while sharing personal experiences of growing, eating, or celebrating food. Together, they explore how to practice respect for themselves, their buddies, and the environment. Using their five senses, they discover the wonders of the garden, guided by questions like, “What is a joyful memory you have growing, eating, or celebrating food?”

Pickling: A fun (and tasty!) introduction to food preservation. Students learn the science behind pickling as they experiment with garden-fresh veggies to create their very own pickled creations.

Square Foot Gardening: A hands-on lesson in garden planning. Students learn how to maximize small spaces by strategically planting within a grid. This activity combines math, creativity, and teamwork to cultivate productive and efficient garden beds.

Growing Beyond the Garden

These lessons go far beyond planting and harvesting. They’re designed to foster curiosity, collaboration, and confidence in the next generation of green thinkers. Watching students grow—both in the garden and in their personal development—is always inspiring.

As we look ahead to the rest of the season, we’re excited to see what their little minds—and the roots of our gardens—will absorb and how they will flourish into this year. Stay tuned for updates from the garden beds and classrooms as we continue planting seeds for a greener, brighter future.

Here’s to a fresh start and a fruitful season ahead!