PIQUA — Students from Piqua Central Intermediate School took to the Garden Tribe Schoolyard Garden on Thursday to plant seeds.

The event had been scheduled for last week but was canceled due to rain. With sunny skies on Thursday, students were able to spend their afternoon in the sun and learn about the processes that make life possible.

“It ties really well back into their fifth-grade science curriculum,” said Merrianne Thompson, a science teacher at Piqua Central. “They get to learn about photosynthesis and the jobs that decomposers in the soil due to provide nutrients.” She also noted that it gives them firsthand experience using the scientific process and on the role mutualism plays in ecosystems.

This is the second planting of the year. The first came back in the fall where they planted spinach and other crops.

Once the plants are ready to harvest, students get to eat what they planted fresh out of the ground.

“For many of them, it’s the only time they will get to do that,” said Thompson.

Then extra crops are sent the kitchen where they are prepared and served at lunch.

This spring the students planted Swiss chard and Easter egg radishes in preparation for Easter festivities. Easter egg radishes grow in a variety of colors from crimson to purple and resemble Easter eggs.