Green Thumb

Growing future gardenersOne seed at a time

5.9.16

HMSGreenThumb@gmail.com

Gar d en Nig hts :

5 : 3 0p m- 7 : 0 0p m
E ver y M ond ay Ni ght
fr o m Ma y - Oc to ber
( Wea th er -p er mit tin g)

Another HMS Garden Season has begun!

In this Issue:
HMS Garden Welcome 2016 1
Social Networking

Upcoming Events

Whats Growing On?

HMS Lorax Community

Benefits of Gardening

Upcoming Events

5.16.16 HMS Garden

Night 5:30pm-7:30pm
5.18.16 Last Day of
School
5.23.16 HMS Garden
Night 5:30pm-7:30pm

Hastings Middle
School Garden
(Southwest of the
track behind the
school)
201 N Marian Rd
Hastings, NE 68901

First off, we would like to extend our

sincere thanks and appreciation for all of
the support the HMS Garden continues to
receive from students, HPS staff, local
businesses/organizations, and dedicated
community members!
With that being saidWelcome 2016 HMS
Gardeners! It is always exciting to
welcome a new group of gardeners to our
community here at the HMS Garden.
2016 marks the 4th year of the garden
here at Hastings Middle School. What
started out as an idea to get students
gardening has turned into so much more!
Last garden season there were (on
average) 50+ students/staff/community
members in attendance on Monday nights
to prepare soil, build structures, plant
seeds, and harvest vegetables. It is truly
amazing what can be accomplished when
a group of individuals comes together for

a great cause. Were not just proud of

the vegetables we grow, but the
positive relationships that are formed
and the impact our garden community
is having on students, their families,
and the people of Hastings. Please
continue to spread the word about
what we do!
The HMS Garden operates as a workexchange program where those who
volunteer and work in the garden are
welcome to share the food we harvest
at no cost! If you dont have a need
for the produce, we encourage you to
share our vegetables (and our story)
with those in need. Its just that
simple! Dont hesitate to contact us
with questions you have or information
you would like to see in upcoming
Green Thumb issues. Happy gardening!

There are a number of ways to stay up-to-date with

happenings at the HMS Garden:
1. Like our Facebook page (HMS Garden). Dont forget to share our
posts on your profile to spread the word about what were doing!
2. Follow us on Twitter @letsgrowhms. Tweet us pictures of your home
gardens or outdoor projects youre working on. We love to share
success stories!
3. Check out our website http://letsgrowhms.wix.com/hmsgarden
4. Show up Monday Nights!

Green Thumb
School
Newsletter

Grade Level News HMSGreenThumb@gmail.com

Page 3 of 4

Whats Growing On?

Seedlings at the our community

greenhouse 5.2.16

One of the questions we hear all of the

time is, Where do all of your plants
come from? Thanks to Mr. Stoddard, 7th
graders (and anyone else who wants to)
start a majority of our plants from seed
in the Life Science classroom at HMS.
These seeds are then taken to a local
community greenhouse where they
begin their transformation into the
seedlings and plants that are
transplanted out at the HMS Garden.

Each year, more seeds have been

started to help supply the growing
space/s we continue to build and till up
behind the middle school. Our longterm goal is to have a greenhouse on
the school grounds to serve as an
outdoor classroom for students and
space for year-round vegetable
production. We always appreciate
donations, so if you know anyone with a
greenhouse, send them our way!

HMS Lorax Community

Unless someone like you cares a
whole awful lot, nothing is going to
get better, its not.

Do you know what it means to be

an HMS Lorax?

The Guardians of the HMS Garden take

this famous Dr. Seuss quote seriously. It
doesnt matter who you are, what you
do, or how much money you have. It
doesnt take a special set of skills to
care a whole awful lot. The wellknown story of The Lorax gives hope to
hopeless situations (we encourage you

to read the story if youre unfamiliar

with it). There are a number of issues
facing our society today. There are also
people who are passionate about solving
those issues. Whether its poverty and
homelessness or environmental issues
and food insecurity, we can all work
together to make our neighborhoods and
community a better place. Finding your
purpose and passion is a lot easier when
you have a good support systemmaybe
its the HMS Garden?

Benefits of Gardening
Research shows that gardening (and other forms of outdoor recreation) has a
number of health benefits associated with it:

Ms. Paige working with students,

helping plant lettuce 5.2.16

To learn more about healthy

eating habits, check out the
American Heart Association
online and search Healthy
Eating.

1. Physical exercise! You dont have to buy a gym membership to get

exercise. Digging in the dirt, moving compost, and pulling weeds are not
easy tasks. Its not necessarily cardiovascular exercise, but working outside
does get your blood pumping!
2. Stress relief! Gardening is low tech and can take your mind off of other
things that may be stressing you out. The colors of plants/flowers, the
smells, or the feeling of the breeze blowing all affect your senses in a way
that can actually make you feel calm.
3. Mental Health! There is plenty of research that shows the positive impact
nature can have on our mood. If youre feeling down, get some fresh air
and plant some flowers!
4. Nutrition! As a result of planting vegetables, you get to eat vegetables!
Studies show that people who consume more fresh fruits and vegetables
have a lower risk for chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and
stroke. Eating better makes you feel better, so trade in that bag of chips
for some sugar snap peas and carrot sticks!

HMS Garden

@letsgrowhms