CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: Gulf Gate Elementary

Third-graders at Gulf Gate Elementary have spent the past two seasons planting, fertilizing and harvesting everything from cabbage to strawberries inside EarthBoxes. On April 20, they talked gardening with The Sarasota Observer.

Trey Buckman
What’s the best thing about growing an EarthBox?
“It grows so fast, you can watch it grow. It’s just a wonderful feeling.

What’s your favorite plant/herb/fruit that you’ve grown?
“Cherry Tomato. For the second season they’ve grown really fast and really tall. It’s the greatest taste I’ve ever had besides ice cream.”

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about gardening?
“If you pay attention and try to do well, you can succeed. Try to plan everything you can imagine.

Do you have advice for someone who is new to EarthBox?
“It’s going to be weird. You’re going to think, ‘Why is there a box?’ You’re going to think it’s ridiculous. But trust me, and trust the box.”

Simone Dyer
What’s the best thing about growing an EarthBox?
“Finally getting to harvest after watering and planting seeds. It’s a messy process. It’s real dirt, not sand, so it sticks to you and for the rest of the school day, you’re covered in dirt. When you water, you get soaking wet, but you have so much fun! When you finally harvest, it tastes so good, so fresh.”

What’s your favorite plant/herb/fruit that you’ve grown?
“Celery or cherry tomatoes. I love tomatoes and they did really well. We got two-to-three pounds of them.”

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about gardening?
“If you get duds or something doesn’t grow, keep trying and don’t give up.”

Do you have advice for someone who is new to EarthBox?
“Plant something that you don’t know about. You never know, you could like new things.”

Hayley Stoddard
What’s the best thing about growing an EarthBox?
“I feel like I’m saving the earth in a way. We’re not using as much water and it’s not evaporating.”

What’s your favorite plant/herb/fruit that you’ve grown?
“Every tomato. They taste the best.”

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about gardening?
“How to grow things in an EarthBox.”

Do you have advice for someone who is new to EarthBox?
“My advice is that if the EarthBoxes don’t grow in the amount of time you want, don’t give up. They will probably grow later. “

Brenna Nopper
What’s the best thing about growing an EarthBox?
“Watching plants grow and seeing how they grow so fast.”

What’s your favorite plant/herb/fruit that you’ve grown?
“Cabbage. I just think it’s really cool. I really like putting cabbage in salad and adding ranch. It makes it taste really good.”

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about gardening?
“Grow organic plants instead of just buying them from the store. I really recommend EarthBoxes.”

Do you have advice for someone who is new to EarthBox?
“Pick your favorite plant. You can choose any. Growth is exciting.”

Contact Loren Mayo at [email protected].