Nothing compares to fresh, seasonal produce, especially when it is accompanied by the satisfaction that comes with hard work. In Plant City, there is a new place where amateur farmers can grow their own crops: Wilson Elementary School.
Karen Elizabeth, who is leading the project, began organic gardening decades ago, when her children were small. Later, she was on the founding team of Plant City Commons Community Garden at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in 2011.
Last spring, Wilson Principal Gina Becker approached Elizabeth at the downtown farmers market and told her about her desire to expand the school’s small existing garden.
The interest had begun with faculty member Zac Shaw. About five years ago, Shaw got the idea to grow fruits and vegetables with his students. He did not have any background in gardening, but the school district granted him training through a program called Gardening for Grades.
He started a garden for second- and fifth-graders. Fifth grade is the class that has mainly worked in the school’s garden, but second grade also uses it when they go through a unit about soil science.
“It follows along with a lot of the benchmarks that students need to know,” Shaw said.
One of the first days of this school year, a fifth-grader, who had watched the garden for years, asked Shaw whether the students would get to work there this year. Shaw assured the class the garden was still for student use, though the plan was to expand it for community use, as well.
When they discussed the beginning stages of the garden expansion project, Elizabeth told Becker success stories of other Tampa Bay-area schools that had gardens. The schools provided property and water and allowed neighbors to take it from there. Becker introduced Elizabeth to Shaw, and the three decided to make the dream a reality.
“I’m a certified holistic health coach, and my passion is bringing better, cleaner, fresher, local, organic food to the Plant City community,” Elizabeth said. “And certainly to the children, so they understand where our food comes from, and that you can have control over the source of most of our food.”
Gardeners do not have to have a connection to Wilson Elementary to participate. The garden has about 35 beds, each of which is a 4-foot-by-12-foot plot. It will be open permanently, year-round and 24 hours a day.
“That’s pretty mandatory when it comes to people being able to get in the garden when they have an opportunity after work or on a weekend,” Elizabeth said.
Most of the plots will be on the northeast side of the school between Garden and Dixie streets. Some spaces will be available in the school courtyard.
The cost to participate is $35, but Elizabeth hopes local businesses will sponsor the garden to cover the expense for gardeners who cannot afford it. She also is seeking supply donations.
There already have been two informational meetings. The next will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, in the Wilson Elementary cafeteria.
“Now that everybody’s settled back into school, this next one should attract a larger crowd,” Elizabeth said. “We can’t get this going if we don’t have the community coming in and supporting it.”
New gardeners should be warned: Organic gardening can become a lifelong hobby.
“Gotta love those plants,” Elizabeth said. “Once you get your hands in the ground and you know how they were cared for … there’s no going back.”
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.
Community Garden Info Meeting
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25
WHERE: Wilson Elementary School cafeteria, 702 W. English St.
CONTACT: Karen Elizabeth, (813) 435-8111 or 12circle8@gmail.com