In a fenced area behind
Glacier Park Elementary, kids in Susan Davidson’s third grade class learn how to make a “three sister garden.”
It’s an old Native American method of growing crops. Corn is planted along with green beans and pumpkin. As the season progresses, the corn stalks shoots up, acting as a natural poles for the green beans to wrap around. The wide, thick pumpkin leaves, meanwhile, provides shade for the soil, maintaining the moisture in it and reducing the demand for water.
First meant to be ornamental in nature, the Glacier Park Elementary garden has grown, along with its plants. Originally a few patches of vegetables, it’s now surrounded by a fence to prevent rabbits and other animals from devouring the plants. A greenhouse was eventually built by Boy Scouts and is used during the initial sowing process.
According to Davidson, the garden has a very strong appeal to the students. Last year, there were 50 kids in the Garden Club, which is open to students in the second through fifth grade and runs from March until June.
Davidson, as well as Cathy Haws, a third grade teacher, use the garden as a part of their classes. There is also the Green Team, a year long program for third, fourth and fifth graders. The Green Team uses the garden area as a part of its water conservation and recycling efforts.
“They love to help,” said Davidson of the students. “If they see Kathy or I, they ask us, ‘Can I work in the garden?’”
By working in the garden, Davidson explained, the students learn useful skills, such as proper digging, planting and watering techniques, as well as effective methods to protect them from insects and animals. Ladybugs are accumulated and spread around the gardens to eat harmful insects, while the outside perimeter of the fence has what is called a “bunny buffet.” Plants rabbits are known to be eat are planted there, so they will remain around the fence and not attempt to climb over it.
For potatoes, a tire is filled with dirt and seeds are sowed. As the potatoes grow, more and more tires are added, along with dirt.
The garden grows a long list of vegetables and fruits, including potatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, squash, raspberries, strawberries, green beans, onions, cabbage, corn and pumpkin. So far, they have added four more garden beds this year, as well as two apple trees. Davidson said they plan to continue expanding as space and funds allow.
“It keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger,” she said.
Last year, the garden produced enough vegetables and fruits for them to be donated to the
Maple Valley Food Bank.
Davidson called the inspiration to donate a habit of mind on behalf of the students.
“They are always looking for ways to contribute,” she said. “They love to help.”
Last year, Davidson said around 30 pounds of vegetables were given to the food bank. This year, however, she was able to deliver that much in one trip. Since the plants grow differently, the deliveries will be made in intervals.
Because the food bank receives mostly canned vegetables, Davidson explained fresh vegetables and fruits are greatly appreciated.
The garden itself is maintained through a combination of students during the school year and volunteers during the summer months. Davidson said the last time the students saw it, the plants were just shoots.
“They’ll be amazed to come back here and see all their hard work,” she said.
