The greenhouse at Bowie Elementary was alive with activity when it was built a decade ago. As years passed, however, the project fell by the wayside, and the greenhouse became an overgrown eyesore. But parent Laura Watson saw an opportunity. She’s been the driving force behind revitalizing the greenhouse, devoting herself to creating an organic outdoor learning center. “There’s so much emphasis on book learning, but there’s something to be said for the hands-on learning that happens in a garden,” she says. “Kids need to be kids and learn about nature by getting a little dirt under their fingernails. You just can’t get that in a book.” In the greenhouse, Watson has planted historical gardens, like the Native American and Thomas Jefferson gardens, as well as some fun gardens, like the pizza garden. “I’d love it if the kids could make pizzas with the vegetables they’ve grown.” The greenhouse has undoubtedly been a labor of love for Watson, but she says it wouldn’t have been possible without help from the Bowie community — including a group of 20 very devoted dads who built kid-sized ergonomic gardening tables. “Those dads sacrificed several Saturdays in the cold, rainy weather, but they did it all happily for these kids.” Watson’s long-term vision for the greenhouse involves the entire neighborhood, including a summertime farmers market and autumn pumpkin patch where neighbors can shop. “We could use neighbors volunteering in the garden or donating gardening equipment. Right now, we don’t have a community garden where neighbors can gather and bond. Eventually, I’d love to see this greenhouse become that for our neighborhood.”

For information about ways to help the Bowie greenhouse, or to donate gardening equipment, contact Laura Watson at
thegardenersnest@yahoo.com.