Garden Details
Garden Details
With the addition of the Love Grows Greenhouse, our STEAM curriculum has blossomed into a living laboratory where students in K3 through 8th grade explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math through integrated, hands-on learning. Students become scientists, engineers, horticulturists, and nutritionists as they investigate plant growth, sustainability, agriculture, and nutrition. These experiences build critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and a sense of responsibility for God’s creation—moving learning beyond the textbook and turning curiosity into action. Our gardening program also connects learning with service. Through their work, they put Catholic Social Teaching into practice, discovering how stewardship and collaboration can nourish families and strengthen our community. At SJ23, the Love Grows Greenhouse brings STEAM learning to life, helping students grow in knowledge, creativity, and faith while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Garden Practices
Garden Practices
Our garden combines raised beds, container gardening, and greenhouse growing to give students hands-on experience with different ways to cultivate food. Wooden and metal raised beds provide defined growing spaces, while pots and fabric grow bags offer additional room for vegetables and herbs. Stakes and cages support taller plants, and mulched pathways provide access for tending and harvesting.
Through planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting, students learn about plant needs, seasonal growth, and responsible care for God’s creation.
Our garden grows a variety of vegetables and leafy greens, including tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, and salad greens.
Our garden connects students with the broader community through fresh produce donations to local food pantries and our school community. Students in Mr. Chilinski’s Gardening Elective help plant, care for, and harvest the crops, seeing firsthand how their work can support others.
We also welcome community members interested in sharing gardening expertise or helping with seasonal planting, maintenance, and harvesting. These connections strengthen our garden’s mission of hands-on learning, stewardship, and service.
Additional Information
Additional Information
We welcome volunteers who can share their gardening knowledge or lend a hand with planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting—especially during the summer months. Donations of seeds, potting soil, compost, gardening gloves, and child-sized tools help keep our garden growing. Financial gifts also support greenhouse supplies and ongoing maintenance.
Every contribution helps our students learn, care for God’s creation, and grow fresh food to share with our neighbors!
During the 2025–2026 school year, students in Mr. Chilinski’s Gardening Elective grew and donated more than 100 pounds of fresh produce to local food pantries and the school community. This year, they are on track to donate more than 250 pounds!
From planting seeds to harvesting vegetables, students see how their care and teamwork produce something meaningful. Sharing that harvest makes service tangible: what they grow helps nourish others. The garden gives students a hands-on way to practice stewardship, build confidence, and discover that even small actions can make a difference.
