The New Young Scholars early learning center in Kansas City became a member of our Schoolyard Gardens program in the summer of 2016. With no real gardening experience in their background, the teachers were nervous but willing to learn how to grow a summer vegetable garden.

Over the month of May, determined to keep their gardens free of weeds and committed to a consistent watering schedule, they were amazed at how their seeds and transplants grew into healthy and happy summer vegetables. They produced endless amounts of cherry tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers! At one point they had too much produce, so they started offering it to other teachers and parents.

“I never realized how much more flavorful cucumbers taste from the garden,” remarked one teacher.

The preschoolers also loved their gardens. They were always eager to get outside and show me what was blooming or ready to pick that day. But what they were most proud of was their pumpkin patch. They would show me with their hands stretched out how their pumpkins were getting “bigger and bigger!” The pumpkin patch yielded close to 15 large pumpkins!

Some might call this Beginners Luck, but I’m certain that because they were willing to give just a little bit of their time each day, both teachers and students at New Young Scholars gained something very special from their Schoolyard Garden.

I am so proud of the dedication of New Young Scholars, and I look forward to planting again with them in March!