Contact: Janet McMillen
Phone: 972-429-3400 ex6022
E-mail: janet.mcmillen@wylieisd.net
County: USA

Using the Junior Master Gardening (Level 1 curriculum), the Mighty Diggers develop their knowledge of horticulture. Our group consists of 12 boys and girls in the third and fourth grade. They program lasts for two years, so as our fourth graders move to intermediate school we accept applications from end of the year second graders who want to join. Applications are ranked by three different adults, scores are tallied and then we have our new Mighty Diggers.

We currently take care of our raised 10x10 ft garden bed. I have seen students eat vegetables for the first time simply because they grew them. The Mighty Diggers have grown snow peas, cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, beans, radishes, onions, carrots, lettuce, and arugula. We donate our produce if we have an enormous amount. Lately our crops have been slim, so we have divided the produce between our 12 members. Then they take it home and eat it with their family.

We also maintain our schools front flower bed keeping in in pansies. This is a source of pride to make our school a welcoming place of learning.

Last year we started a 3x20 ft.bluebonnet flower bed. It was a real challenge to keep the school's avid lawn mowers at bay. We were pretty creative with using a plastic border and sticks topped with tennis balls connected by bright orange ribbon. Weather and children's fingers caused our tennis ball/ribbon fence to have to be taken down. But, our bluebonnets stayed undisturbed until at least the middle of June. Hopefully we can get it back by weeding and re-seeding this year.

Our budget is simple. Parents of Mighty Diggers donate flowers, seeds, mulch, etc. as needed. I supply materials out of my personal pocket as well.

I have been teaching children about all aspects of gardening for several years now. It is what keeps me returning as a teacher of third graders in the ground zero testing state of Texas!

Number of Kids Involved: 12
Square Feet of Gardens: 100

Grades Involved:

• K - 4

We are interested in being E-Mail Pals and would like to exchange:
We could really use a source for a NO MOW sign to augment our bluebonnet bed. I would love to learn of sources for inexpensive/free gardening materials as well as share learning experiences.

How our project is helping kids grow:
We never know what we will find in our garden. Recently we discovered an infestation of Tobacco Hornedworm caterpillars. We probably pulled about 20 off our tomato plants! The Mighty Diggers were amazed at the adaptations of the little creatures. Everyone wanted to take one home with them to observe its life cycle. Of course, not all children had a food source from the nightshade family at their home, so the next day several approached me for more tomato leaves. So, we may not have many tomatoes this year, but the Mighty Diggers will have learned that you must study your enemy insect. You have to know its life cycle in order to be able to combat it. Next week we take on the infamous cabbage looper!

Gardening Contexts/Emphases:

• Outdoor, Vegetables
• Outdoor, Flowers
• Indoor Light Garden
• Vermiculture (worms)

Level of Student Participation (hours/week/child): 1-2

Number of Participating Teachers: 1

Number of Participating Parents / Volunteers: 0

Number of Parent / Volunteer Participation (hours/week/person): 1-2

Funding Sources:

• In-Kind Donations

Update this entry