Video: Farmer Brown’s Green Garden

[jwplatform lKcaXiRS]

SALTILLO, Miss. (WCBI) — Our resident gardener R. H. Brown’s thumb is turning greener as he continues profiling various gardens in our viewing area picking up tips as he goes. On this trip to Farmer Brown’s Garden, teenagers at Saltillo High are growing veggies in their school’s backyard greenhouse.

For some Saltillo High School gardeners, leaving their books inside, they have been spending time in their outdoor greenhouse. And for several of those veggie growers, it’s nothing new.

“I have, me and my daddy used to, we have a garden every year and we go out and we grow corn, squash, all kinds of different stuff,” said Saltillo High School student Kent Phillips.

“My mom grows flowers every year and she as got me involved with that. ‘Cause I have to dig the holes for here. So, she has given me a hand in growing stuff before,” said greenhouse gardener Cain Havens.

Having worked hard and become successful at growing beautiful vegetables, those teens caught the eyes of Department of Education reps visiting the school. Impressed with their abilities, MDE provided funds to the tune of  some 33 thousand dollars. Now those green thumb growers are adding a greater variety of produce being grown in a controlled environment.

“Not a lot of schools have a greenhouse and can, have the privilege to go out and plant stuff,” said Phillips.

Right, and it’s really nice. They really like coming out. We’ve planted a lot of different things. We’ve planted cucumbers, squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, and we’ve raised some tomatoes for the farmers market outside the the school,” said Laurie Baggett, greenhouse gardener.

Not only the greenhouse, but there at Saltillo High they’ve expanded their growing to outside. There is an outside garden as well.

“We’ve got some cabbage and squash, and zucchini, tomatoes, and corn planed outside now,” said Baggett.

Unlike traditional backyard gardens, the teens are finding out that with controlled temperatures, the sky is the limit to when and what they can grow.

“I would like to see her try to grow pumpkins, make a little extra money around fall,” said Havens.

Changing weather and temperatures through the seasons prohibits growing of your favorite vegetables and flowers all year long. One perfect solution for this dilemma is greenhouse gardening.