Want to grow food in your classroom and make learning come alive?

Introducing the junior program of Little Green Thumbs

Inspire hands-on learning and inquiry into seeds, nutrition, soil science, plant needs, how food is grown and more!

Join a growing number of teachers and students across Canada discovering the fun and learning of growing food right in their own classrooms! Grow microgreens, lettuce, herbs and more as part of Little Green Sprouts, our newest indoor gardening adventure for Kindergarten to Grade 3 classrooms.

No experience required to get up and growing with Little Green Sprouts! You’ll receive all the training, support, learning resources and equipment you need to grow food in your learning environment.

How is Little Green Sprouts different from Little Green Thumbs?

A Little Green Sprouts garden is smaller than a Little Green Thumbs garden, and is best suited to growing micro-greens, lettuce and a small assortment of herbs. The timeframe needed for growing Little Green Sprouts crops is much less than a Little Green Thumbs garden, which requires months to produce from seed to vegetable. The program is is best suited to Kindergarten to Grade 3 students, while Little Green Thumbs is best suited to Grade 3 to 6 classrooms. The Little Green Thumbs program offers increased support and training over the Little Green Sprouts program, as well as greater access to learning and growing resources appropriate to higher grades.

FEATURES

  • Smaller garden
  • Crops of micro-greens, lettuce and some herbs
  •  Shorter time-frame needed for growing (2 - 5 weeks)
  • Best suited to Kindergarten to Grade 3 classrooms

FEATURES

  • Larger garden

  • Crops of lettuce, greens and vegetables such as beans, tomatoes and cucumbers

  • Longer time-frame needed for growing 1 month to 3.5 months

  • Best suited to Grade 3 - Grade 6 classrooms

Little Green Sprouts garden + seeds/soil + growing support, training, and learning resources + excited students = 

Increased Student Engagement

Opportunities for agriculture, food and nutrition education

Increased environmental understanding

Hands-on learning to deepen curricular outcomes

What’s included with Little Green Sprouts?

Your regional delivery partner will provide all of the supplies needed for you to start growing with Little Green Sprouts. You will need a space in your classroom of 1.2m (3 feet) by .8m (2 feet) located near a power outlet in order to set-up your Little Green Sprouts Garden.

As part of Little Green Sprouts, you will receive:

A Little Green Sprouts indoor garden

Growing trays and pots

Seeds & Soil

Teacher's Manual

Online teacher training

Access to Little Green Sprouts teacher portal full of learning resources, how-to videos and troubleshooting support

Support from a regional coordinator (when accepted by regional network partner)

Watch us grow!

The Little Green Sprouts program is delivered regionally by a network of education and non-profit partners.

No partner in your region? No problem! Little Green Sprouts can support teachers across Canada through a virtual learning and resource platform. 

How to Apply

Apply to the regional Little Green Sprouts ‘host organization’ in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Edmonton, New Brunswick or Newfoundland to join the Little Green Sprouts program!

For all other areas not served by our regional network partners, we offer a select number of grants each year directly to teachers. Grant recipients into the Little Green Sprouts program will receive all garden equipment but will have virtual support rather than regional support for the program.

1. Look for application dates

Check application dates for your region or annual national grant application date

2. Submit your application

Fill out your application online while application dates are open

3. Stay tuned

You will receive notice if you are accepted into the program within 6-8 weeks

4. Watch your mailbox

All program materials will be sent to your school.

5. Your turn to learn

Participate in an online training workshop

6. Bonus!

Receive access to the online Teacher’s portal, where you will find learning resources, how-to videos, access to support and troubleshooting and ongoing learning opportunities.

Application dates

Alberta – Edmonton

Applications now OPEN (Rolling).

Alberta – Stony Plain

Applications now CLOSED

Saskatchewan

Applications OPEN November 1, 2023. CLOSE December 8, 2023.

Manitoba

Applications OPEN May 2, 2024.

Quebec

Applications now OPEN (Rolling).

New Brunswick

Applications now CLOSED

Newfoundland & Labrador

Applications now OPEN! (Rolling).Apply.

All other regions – Annual National Grants Program

Applications closed

Northwest Territories

Applications OPEN NOW!

FAQs

Some of the most common questions we get about the Little Green Sprouts program!

Can’t find your answer?

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How does Little Green Sprouts differ from Little Green Thumbs?

The Little Green Sprouts program is the ‘junior’ program of Little Green Thumbs. Little Green Sprouts garden is a smaller garden than the Little Green Thumbs garden, and is is best suited to Kindergarten to Grade 2 students, while Little Green Thumbs is best suited to Grade 3 to 6 classrooms. The Little Green Thumbs program offers increased support and training over the Little Green Sprouts program, as well as greater access to learning and growing resources appropriate to higher grades.

What can you grow?

With a Little Green Sprouts garden, you can grow microgreens, such as pea, sunflower, kale, mustard popcorn, as well as herbs, such as basil, parsley, lemon balm or mint and lettuce and spinach greens.

What supplies or requirements are needed in my classroom?

You will require access to a power outlet, as well as 1.2m (3.2 ft) by .5m (1.5 ft) space in which to assemble your garden. You will also need some access to water to water your plants (you can use a watering can or jug to transport water to your garden).

How much space is needed in my classroom?

A 1.2m (3.2 ft) by .5m (1.5 ft) space is required in your classroom, located near a power outlet in which to assemble your garden. It is best placed on a table or shelf.

Who is the program for?

This is a school-based program, best suited for kindergarten to grade 2 classrooms. Please see regional application dates for specific application information for each region. For classrooms between grade 3 to grade 6, please see more information about the Little Green Thumbs program.

What age is best suited to the Little Green Sprouts program?

Little Green Thumbs is best suited for kindergarten to grade 2 classrooms. For classrooms between grade 3 and grade 6, please see Little Green Thumbs.  

What happens to the garden over holidays and weekends?

Ensure your timer is set and your plants are well watered before leaving for weekends, and your garden will continue growing. You might even notice big changes have happened over the weekend and surprise your students. Extended breaks over 4 days are difficult for your garden, because your plants will require water. If you are able to receive watering help from a colleague, such as a fellow teacher or custodian, your plants will continue growing well. We will provide some tips and best practices to ensure that your garden can survive regular school breaks.  

FAQs

Some of the most common questions we get about the Little Green Sprouts program!

How does Little Green Sprouts differ from Little Green Thumbs?

The Little Green Sprouts program is the ‘junior’ program of Little Green Thumbs. Little Green Sprouts garden is a smaller garden than the Little Green Thumbs garden, and is is best suited to Kindergarten to Grade 2 students, while Little Green Thumbs is best suited to Grade 3 to 6 classrooms. The Little Green Thumbs program offers increased support and training over the Little Green Sprouts program, as well as greater access to learning and growing resources appropriate to higher grades.

What can you grow?

With a Little Green Sprouts garden, you can grow microgreens, such as pea, sunflower, kale, mustard popcorn, as well as herbs, such as basil, parsley, lemon balm or mint and lettuce and spinach greens.

What supplies or requirements are needed in my classroom?

You will require access to a power outlet, as well as 1.2m (3.2 ft) by .5m (1.5 ft) space in which to assemble your garden. You will also need some access to water to water your plants (you can use a watering can or jug to transport water to your garden).

How much space is needed in my classroom?

A 1.2m (3.2 ft) by .5m (1.5 ft) space is required in your classroom, located near a power outlet in which to assemble your garden. It is best placed on a table or shelf.

Who is the program for?

This is a school-based program, best suited for kindergarten to grade  classrooms. Please see regional application dates for specific application information for each region. For classrooms between grade 3 to grade 6, please see more information about the Little Green Thumbs program.

What age is best suited to the Little Green Sprouts program?

Little Green Thumbs is best suited for kindergarten to grade 3 classrooms. For classrooms between grade 3 and grade 6, please see Little Green Thumbs.  

What happens to the garden over holidays and weekends?

Ensure your timer is set and your plants are well watered before leaving for weekends, and your garden will continue growing. You might even notice big changes have happened over the weekend and surprise your students. Extended breaks over 4 days are difficult for your garden, because your plants will require water. If you are able to receive watering help from a colleague, such as a fellow teacher or custodian, your plants will continue growing well. We will provide some tips and best practices to ensure that your garden can survive regular school breaks.  

Can’t find your answer?

Get in touch.

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