Growing Green Minds: The Magic of School Gardens in West County

Article & Photos By Susan Domanico

On October 18, 2024, Pam Austin and I visited two schools in West County—Fairmont Elementary and Mira Vista Elementary—to deliver cool-season vegetable starts. It was heartwarming to witness how students interact with their school gardens. At both schools, the garden has become a hub of activity during recess and lunch breaks. At Fairmont, it was particularly touching to see young children eagerly filling watering cans and tending to the plants. These simple yet meaningful moments highlight the garden’s role in fostering responsibility, teamwork and a love for nature.

I’m excited to collaborate with these schools throughout the year. Here’s a link to a folder with pictures from our visit: Photo Folder.

At Fairmont Elementary in El Cerrito, the Garden Educator, Ms. Claire, has cultivated a thriving space along a strip of land adjacent to the BART tracks. During breaks, students excitedly search for ripe golden berries (Physalis peruviana) or nibble on spinach, cilantro, and other leafy greens. In addition to ingeniously channeling the energy of kindergartners to hydrate their favorite garden beds, the students were encouraged to distinguish between weeds and the newly sprouted radish and Claytonia perfoliata seedlings. Students then helped with weeding their raised beds.
Consider supporting School Gardens and join us! The School Gardens Team welcomes more UC Master Gardeners to help support the gardens throughout Contra Costa County. We’re active in West, Central, and East Counties, providing expertise on irrigation, soil testing, and garden design.

I have a passion for gardening and education and am a proud member of the UC Master Gardener Class of 2024. This summer, I honed my skills at Our Garden in Walnut Creek under the guidance of Janet Miller and her dedicated team. I’m applying those practices to brainstorm ideas for Fairmont’s garden with Ms. Claire. Together, we’re propagating golden berries and planning demonstration “mini gardens” for spring. These small projects aim to inspire students to grow plants at home, sparking curiosity and meaningful conversations about gardening with their families.

Your involvement can make a difference, whether it’s troubleshooting garden challenges or inspiring the next generation of green thumbs. Let’s work together to cultivate school gardens and inspire young minds throughout our community.