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Little Green Thumbs
Little Green Thumbs is an indoor gardening program that gives students the opportunity to grow and eat healthy food right in their own classrooms! Over the course of several months, students grow tomatoes, peppers, herbs, greens and other veggies.
Supplies include 4 grow boxes, a grow light, seeds, fertilizer and more. The garden’s footprint is about 1.5m x 1.5m. Teachers receive training and complete an annual program evaluation.
We currently have 59 classrooms with a Little Green Thumbs garden. Note: We only provide one garden per school. Check to see if your school is on this list.
Check out more info and a video below.
Little Green Sprouts
A Little Green Sprouts is an indoor gardening program similar to Little Green Thumbs, but with a smaller garden that is best suited to growing micro-greens, lettuce and a small assortment of herbs.
Unlike Little Green Thumbs, the Little Green Thumbs program is open to Kindergarten to Grade 3 students in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Beaumont, St. Albert and Morinville.
Supplies for Little Green Sprouts gardens include three grow trays, a grow light and stand, seeds, and fertilizer.
Who can Participate?
Schools in the Capital Region (excluding Parkland County) can apply.
What we Love about Little Green Thumbs
1. You can grow a great garden right in your classroom.
The garden works really well for cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, beans, kale, lettuce, basil, other herbs, as well as other veggies you want to try.
“This year I had three Syrian refugees and they were so excited about the plants. The children would often break off some basil, cilantro or kale and just eat it.” Marcie Woods, St. Clement School
2. The garden is a springboard for a wide range of activities and cross-curricular learning.
Hands-on, experiential learning is a big reason why this program has remained both popular and extremely successful in helping children acquire a wide range of skills and knowledge during the complete growing cycle of plants. The garden fosters social development, healthy living, science and math skills, and environmental and local food awareness.
“It is an essential part of my pedagogy - children need to see where food comes from, how food is grown, and how simple (yet complex) it all is. The LGT is a microcosm of the world's model, and it's great that it's so accessible to young learners.” Zainab Basheer, Grace Martin School
3. The students are involved in the complete growing cycle.
The students participate in planting seeds and transplanting seedlings and caring for plants such as watering, feeding, pruning, and checking for problems. They watch plants grow and help to solve problems (such as the lack of natural pollinators). Finally, they can harvest vegetables and herbs and prepare and enjoy the fruits of their labour.
“Students are excited to observe and record changes in their plants every day. “
‘Keeping a plant alive is hard work!’ Comment from Grade 4 student in St. Albert.
4. We provide all the materials, training and on-going support to help you be successful.
You receive a complete indoor garden kit that we help you set up. Teachers receive training and guidance from our Little Green Thumbs Coordinator.
“I was never successful with growing things, but now I am referred to as the "plant guru" here at school.” Patsy Ho, Callingwood School
Program Location: Sustainable Food Edmonton's Little Green Thumbs program is available to schools in the Capital Region (excluding Parkland County). To check if your school is already a participant, please contact the Coordinator before applying.
Please contact us about availability in other areas of the province or visit http://www.littlegreenthumbs.org/ContactUs
Video- Little Green Thumbs in the Classroom (click on center arrow to play)
Thank you to our sponsors & supporters
With support from the TELUS Edmonton Community Board
Would you like to volunteer with Little Green Thumbs?
We need a new crop of Volunteer Growing Facilitators for the upcoming school year! Try out an amazing opportunity to interact with kids through the complete life cycle of plants. Our volunteers have an opportunity to work with children and see their fascination with plants, seeds and soil and to help a teacher/leader be successful in growing plants indoors. Growing Facilitators must be available during school hours. Security/police checks are a requirement for classroom volunteers. A green thumb is not a pre-requisite as we provide training and support.