At Durham Elementary, our students don’t just learn about nature — they get their hands dirty and grow with it! Through our garden program, kids from every grade level experience the full cycle of gardening: from composting food scraps to create nutrient-rich soil, to planting seeds, and finally harvesting fresh vegetables they helped grow.

Last year, students explored the outdoors in fun and meaningful ways:

• Students made bird feeders using pinecones, soy butter, and even mealworms, learning about local wildlife and how to care for our feathered friends.
   

• Students planted aloe from the greenhouse into garden planters, adding to our growing collection of herbs, vegetables, and colorful flowers.
   

• When winter approached, our fifth graders stepped up to protect the garden by covering delicate plants and harvesting what they could to prepare for the first big freeze.
   

No matter the season, our garden is buzzing with activity and learning. Every student gets the chance to explore the garden and understand where food comes from.

Whether they’re planting seeds or pulling weeds, Durham kids are digging into learning—literally!