Spokane Valley students start their day gardening | Home & Garden

Children at University Elementary School are earning their green thumbs this week with the arrival of their new greenhouse. Thanks to a grant from Washington State Potatoes, 1st graders got to spend their morning planting their favorite vegetables from tomatoes to yellow peppers.

The Graffmiller Greenhouse, named after a retired head custodian, will become a weekly part of student curriculum. From science to art, school principal Sue Lennick says every student gets to play a part.

“It’s more than just plants. We’ll do some work with ecosystems, maybe get some worms in there and do observations and science journaling. It will extend into many academic subjects, maybe even art projects,” Lennick said.

The greenhouse will help grow plants for Mother’s Day. Seeds donated to the school have now been planted and with the warmth of the sun, they’ll grow into sprouts perfect for gifts.

With fresh produce outside their classroom, students will get a chance to taste new and unique fruits and vegetables and try some cooking of their own in the future. The greenhouse benefits all the grade levels at the school. The older they get, the more advanced their interaction with the greenhouse will be.

KXLY is a media partner with Washington State Potatoes.