The WSU Clallam County Master Gardeners will be visiting second grade classes throughout the county from March 7-May 16 to deliver an elementary gardening lesson designed to motivate young people to grow their own food. Through the illustration of the “Herbie, the Bean Plant” puppet, students learn about plant parts and the growing cycle.

The program increases knowledge about a variety of plants, increases awareness of the importance of plants in human lives and provides hands-on experience in starting plants from seeds.

Each student plants a bean, radish, corn, pea and sunflower seed in a clear “root viewer” container whereby they can observe the seeds’ germination and root, stem and leaf development.

Master Gardeners work with local teachers to coordinate their program with the second-grade curriculum to reinforce and enhance the children’s learning experience.

The Master Gardeners are scheduled to be at Sequim schools on the following dates:

• April 11 — Five Acre School, Helen Haller Elementary School

• April 18 — Helen Haller Elementary School

• April 25 — Mountain View Christian

• May 9 — Greywolf Elementary School

Clallam County Master Gardeners, a cooperative program between Washington State University and Clallam County, provides information on sustainable gardening practices. Master Gardener volunteers also address environmental and social issues such as water conservation, the protection of water quality, reducing impact of invasive species and healthy living through gardening.

For more information, call Lorrie Hamilton, program coordinator for WSU Master Gardeners of Clallam County, at 360-565-2679.