Laura Beach Giving Garden

The Laura Beach Giving Garden is located at Espiritu Santo Catholic School. There are currently 9 raised beds (one for each grade) growing vegetables and herbs including; carrots, pole beans, beets, radishes, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, squash, cilantro, dill, and egg plant. The garden also has a butterfly habitat in order to attract pollinators. This garden not only serves as an outdoor classroom but teaches the spirit of giving. The students are involved in the entire process from seedling to harvest. Depending on the amount of the harvest, the students create a farm to table dish which is donated to Pinellas Hope (a local soup kitchen).  The school cafeteria is also incorporated through the use of food scraps that are composted for the garden. The garden also serves as a place of peace and prayer, with a statue of the Blessed Mother in the middle. The garden stands as a tribute to a late science teacher, Laura Beach. It's sun ray shaped plots are perfectly symmetrical yet create a unique optical illusion and are a perfect symbol of Laura Beach who was described as a ray of sunshine. This garden enriches the mind, body and spirit.