WVMS students dig into winter sowing project

Kale, coneflower, peas and delphiniums are just a few of the plant varieties that will be sprouting up later this spring at Warwick Valley Middle School, as fifth grade students in Janeen Mitchell, Kitty Lowry and Christina Galow’s classes got their hands dirty today participating in an exciting project about winter sowing. One might even say that it “STEMs” from combination of math, science and nature.

The students received a thoroughly crafted gardening lesson, led by Lena Fahringer, on the basics of winter sowing, including building miniature greenhouses to act as seedling incubators, moisture control, drainage, and how to determine if a seed is viable.

“Seeds have a shelf life like bread or milk, so it’s important to make sure your seeds are viable,” Ms. Fahringer explained, pointing out that each seed packet was printed with a date, similar to a “use by” date on foods.

Once students understood how to pick healthy seeds, they learned about creating the right conditions for growth. They used plastic milk jugs packed with potting soil to create protective winter sowing containers that create a greenhouse effect.

Next the students had to apply the knowledge they’ve learned about fractions, to calculate the correct depth to sow their seeds in accordance with the amount of sunlight necessary for germination. Ms. Fahringer encouraged them to use their fingers as a quick measuring guide, explaining how a quarter inch is approximately halfway up a fingernail, a half inch at the first knuckle, an inch at the second knuckle.

Gardening being one of Ms. Fahringer’s favorite pastimes, she not only shared her deep knowledge of seed types, and the conditions needed to successfully sprout each, but also highlighted the mental health benefits that gardening offers.

“It releases serotonin, which is referred to as the happy hormone, which helps improve our moods,” Ms. Fahringer said.

Ripe with new knowledge, the students headed out to the courtyard to fill their seed incubators with soil and begin sowing seeds. From testing seed viability and applying math and science skills, to nurturing their own well-being, there was a lot for students to take away from this hands-on gardening experience, including green thumbs!

The students will be monitoring their seedlings’ progress over the coming weeks, maintaining moisture levels, and preparing to transplant their flourishing friends this spring.