Despite a soft drizzle, Woodstock Elementary School kindergarten students had a blast on their tour of Sprucedale Gardens Nursery on Monday, May 2. Five classes were taken on a tour of the businesses’ greenhouses and over-wintering houses, learning how Sprucedale and other nurseries grow their plants and store them during the winter.
Children often enjoy the tour because they get to use their senses, said owner Joyce Larson. The students are allowed to touch things and smell things. They see things they might not normally see.
“We want them to see the importance of agriculture. Ornamental plant growing is economically important in our state,” said Larson. “The children get to see that plants are not only beautiful, but useful. We want them to see one part of agriculture up close and learn how it works.”
The kindergarten students also had the opportunity to plant their own tomato plant and bring it home. Any kindergartener who brings a tomato back in the summer from their plant will receive a gift certificate for one free ice cream cone at Sweet Evalina’s Stand.
“We want growing things to become part of their family life,” continued Larson. “Anybody can grow their own food. It’s not difficult. We are encouraging them to grow something themselves so they can enjoy it with their family.”
