Q&A with Jennifer Jacks, Sand Creek Elementary Counselor
From an underutilized outdoor space to a thriving hub of curiosity and color, the Sand Creek Elementary School (SCE) garden has become a living example of what can grow through collaboration and community support. Inspired by the groundwork laid by former staff and renewed by a shared vision among educators and students, the garden’s revival took root with the help of the HEPL Seed Library. This partnership not only provided seeds, guidance, and expertise, but also opened the door to hands-on learning, student ownership, and a deeper connection to nature, proving that when schools and libraries grow together, the results can be both beautiful and educational.
Q: What inspired your school to start a garden, and how did the idea to partner with the HEPL Seed Library first come about?
A: The SCE garden was originally started by a dedicated group of former staff members, and we are excited to continue building upon the foundation they created. We cleaned up the outdoor garden space, shared new opportunities with our building staff, and worked together to create a plan to bring it back to life. With the gardens getting a spring refresh, we felt inspired to plant and bring new life to this space. We were familiar with the Seed Library, but it had been years since we accessed it and decided this was the perfect opportunity to revisit this wonderful community opportunity.
Photo provided by SCE.
“I loved being excited everyday to see how my plants have grew. I especially loved it when we pulled weeds and planted the seeds in the garden. Working in groups is so fun because you learn science and more about the plants too. I really, really like it because it was outdoors and the day was beautiful including the flowers too.” – Sylvie M.
Q: Can you describe the process of collaboration with the library? Did they offer any guidance or resources that helped you plan your garden?
A: We reached out to the library to inquire about the steps and process to obtain seeds and were quickly greeted with a helpful voice and direction to go. We were given great suggestions and ideas to think about, including the types of plants, plants versus vegetables, and germination and growth time. We also discussed what plants were hardy, could tolerate the sunshine, and how much water they would require, which were all great suggestions as we knew summer break would occur during this window too. We appreciated the recommendations of plant types that would provide bright colorful blooms during the summer and into Back to School.
Photo provided by SCE.
“I grew the Blueboys with my team and I loved seeing the flowers bloom. We learned alot about plants. In the coming seasons, hopefully we can take these plants home and nurture them. My favorite thing was seeing all the beautiful flowers”. – Arya S.
Q: How did you set up the garden once you had received and prepared your seeds? What role did students play in caring for the garden throughout the year?
A: The garden design was intentionally simple so students could select the plants that interested them most. They also learned to think like gardeners—reviewing plant height, color, and overall compatibility with the raised beds before making their final choices.
Students were involved in planting from the very beginning—tending to repairs and adjustments of the raised garden beds, prepping soil, placing seeds, and labeling each bed. Throughout the remainder of the school year, identified classes rotated watering duties, monitored plant growth, and helped pull weeds or refresh soil as needed. Their hands-on care kept the garden healthy and growing. Students loved being outdoors—checking on the plants’ progress, noticing the changes each week, and simply enjoying the fresh air and garden space.
Photo provided by SCE.
“I loved when me and our group would check the garden and get out all of the weeds and more. In my head, I remember that one random school day our group is going to see a bunch of flowers including blue boys, sunflowers and even food like onions!” – Jaxon T.
Q: How has the garden and the Seed Library partnership impacted your school community?
A: Our partnership with the Seed Library is only beginning, and we’re already seeing our garden come to life. After winter, we’ll check to see what made it through the colder months and plan any new planting. We’re so fortunate to have this wonderful resource right down the road, and we are deeply appreciative.
With all the wonders and questions our students are asking, it’s clear that we will most definitely continue expanding the garden and the learning it inspires!
Sand Creek Elementary students and staff. Photo by Claire Robertson.
The Seed Library has become one of the best loved collections the library offers. In 2025, HEPL lent out more than 88,000 seed packets. The many stories, successes, and photos you’ve shared guide our collection and demonstrate the impact the Seed Library has on our communities. There are two key dates to keep in mind for when seeds will be available. On February 9, select seed varieties will be available through the Seed Library. These varieties – such as tomatoes, oregano, and many native flowers – should be started indoors several weeks prior to planting outside since they require extra growing time in warm temperatures. On March 9, all the seeds will be available for checkout. The Seed Library is sponsored by the HEPL Foundation.