“nourish to flourish”: Growing More Than Just Food
Posted: July 9, 2025
Categories: nourish to flourish / Schools
St. Anne Catholic Elementary School
Kitchener, Ontario
Our elementary school, located in a diverse, urban neighbourhood in Kitchener, Ontario, is home to 750 students. This year, we selected 18 students from Grades 3 and 4 to lead the creation of our very first school garden. One of the most meaningful outcomes of the “nourish to flourish” grant was its unexpected impact on student well-being—particularly in supporting self-regulation. From the beginning, we noticed the calming effect of time spent in the garden. It quickly became a peaceful space where students could reset and refocus, serving as a natural extension of the social-emotional learning already taking place in our classrooms.
The garden also blossomed into a space for connection. Students collaborated to prepare the soil, plant seeds, water, and care for the growing plants. These shared responsibilities nurtured communication and teamwork, allowing students to develop social skills through authentic, hands-on experiences.
Perhaps most powerful was witnessing students shine in unexpected ways. One student, who often finds it difficult to stay engaged in class, impressed both peers and staff by sharing his knowledge of plant care and confidently guiding others through the gardening process. These moments revealed strengths that might have gone unnoticed in a traditional learning environment.
Our garden project included one raised bed outdoors and 10 large containers on classroom windowsills, filled with vegetables, herbs, and even an attempt at growing strawberries and blueberries. As this was our first time creating a school garden, we encountered a few challenges. Limited gardening experience and staffing support initially made the project difficult to sustain. However, as the benefits became clear, more staff members expressed interest in getting involved next year. We also learned the importance of planting earlier—we’re only now seeing growth from our seeds, just as the school year comes to a close. Despite this, students were excited to get their hands in the dirt, see what seeds look like, and take on the responsibility of caring for something over time.
When asked about the garden, one student shared, “I didn’t know I could grow food, and now I want to grow some at home.” Another said, “I learned that plants need care, just like we do.”
Thanks to the “nourish to flourish” grant, we planted more than just seeds—we nurtured curiosity, confidence, and connection. We’re already looking forward to watching our garden, and our students, continue to grow next year.