Parents want to grow Garden Club

When the recess bell rings at Sisters Elementary School, students run to the greenhouse for gardening class. Three years ago, a dedicated group of parents repaired an old greenhouse, built raised beds and began teaching gardening to eager kindergarten through fifth graders.

“When they get to see what they’ve grown, they really get jazzed,” said parent volunteer Vonda Soliz.

Now the Sisters Elementary School Garden Club is ready to expand and buy a bigger greenhouse. At this Saturday’s Garden Fair on May 14, folks in Sisters can shop for garden supplies and help these parents raise funds for a new greenhouse. They’ll find hanging baskets, herbs and flowers along with face painting, food and games.

The Garden Club is all parent-run and funded through private donations. Soliz and the other parents want to expand their activities.

The existing greenhouse is run down and only has room for a small number of students. They need close to $10,000 for a bigger greenhouse and are part way to that goal through past fund-raisers including a bulb sale.

The parents said community support over the past few years for the Garden Club has been amazing. Individuals and businesses have donated lumber, pots, plants and other supplies.

This school year, the little gardeners have planted sugar peas, green beans, carrots, beets and onions. They’ve had fun learning how a worm compost bin works. And they’ve done a lot with potatoes.

“Potatoes are a big hit — they like to dig to find them,” said parent Shannon Pollard who adds it’s like searching for lost treasure every fall.

“We planted potatoes that grew grass out of their heads!” said first-grader Chris Voorhies.

As one of the crafts for sale this weekend, students cut off the top of a potato, added soil and grass seeds, then made a face for a one-of-a-kind Mr. Potato Head.

Pollard, who has loved gardening since she was a kid, said the classes teach students an appreciation for plant life.

“They get to reap the rewards of nurturing a plant.”

She says the students often take home food that they’ve grown. Also, some of their harvest is given to the school cafeteria.

Soliz said the Garden Club is often “a whole new thing” for kids, some of whom have never used a shovel.

She has noticed special-needs children especially love digging in the dirt.

Soliz is enthusiastic about passing along her love for plants which began when she was a girl working in her mom and dad’s two-acre garden.

“My life revolves around plants!” she said.

The Garden Fair is at Sisters Elementary School this Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.