Helping Hands and Green Thumbs!

September has come and gone quickly, but we are pleased to report the latest garden news.

To date all of the garden beds have been tilled and mulched thanks to our resident green thumb and garden advisor extraordinaire, Roger Horne! 

And although last weekend's rains delayed some planting, they didn't stop Ms. Jaqui and her Gardening Club from planting the first bed.  We plan to complete the planting for each grade level within the next week. Trust us, we'll keep you posted.

Last week we received a donation of herb plants from Morel Landscape including some fragrant Rosemary, which is delicious to eat and known to be a natural insect repellent properties. Thank you!

The mixed veggie and herb seedlings that we're putting into the ground have been donated by Teena's Pride. Teena's Pride, in Homested, Florida, has specialized in locally grown produce for over 35 years - and has been a strong supporter of the SPE Edible Garden from the outset. This year, Teena also gave us a Raspberry bush, which is a new addition to our garden.  Come October, we'll also receive some of her award-winning, to-die-for Heirloom Tomato plants to add to our garden. Can't wait! We encourage you to check out Teena's website and sign up to be a part of her CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Picking up your share of fresh produce from Teena's CSA from the Whole Foods on Alton Road makes the 'farm to table' concept a very simple reality for your family.

We truly thank everyone who continues to help our garden grow in so many ways, and we encourage everyone to take an interest - even if it's by simply taking the time to read our blog updates - because we promise you that every step along this year's growing season will be a journey worth sharing that will hopefully inspire parents, teachers and students to take pride in this special green initiative we've nurtured at South Pointe Elementary.

September's Here. Time to Grow!

As we bid farewell to a long, hot summer in Miami Beach and send our little ones back into a new school year - we also welcome one of our favorite times of the year - planting season!

Since 2009, South Pointe Elementary School has been fortunate to build, grow and sustain its very own Organic Edible Garden and Smoothie Garden.

The school garden's main goal is to educate and benefit our children. The commercialization of food in today's world has taken away a basic "farm to table" understanding amongst many  Americans. School gardens are a fantastic way for up and coming generations to witness where and how food grows.  School gardens also have a positive effect on children's vegetable intake.  Put simply, if they plant it they will try it.  And we can’t ask for more than that.

In the coming weeks, the children will plant a cornucopia of vegetables and herbs, and through this experience, they will understand and appreciate the value of harvesting something that started as a seed or a seedling.  We truly hope visions of broccoli and string beans will dance through your child's head...

In the meantime, we encourage you to read more about the benefits of school gardens here and also read up on this great article posted on CNN recently.

There are many ways we fund the garden: from grants to our annual Green Market.  This year we are taking part in the 2011-12 Fairchild Challenge. Last year we gained top honors (placing in the top 16 schools) and won $250 to use towards our garden.  We will also apply for a Foodcorps School Garden Grant, through Whole Foods- who has been a supporter and friend to our garden program. Wish us luck!

Thank you for your continued support.  Hope to see you in the garden this year- there's a lot growing on!