SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Just ask the students at Rolling Hills Elementary, "How does your garden grow?"
It's been a bountiful harvest in Rancho Penasquitos with just a few setbacks.
"We think that bunnies keep eating our fruits," a student said.
This summer, the students have taken complete responsibility for tending, weeding, watering and picking their crops.
"I love vegetables and fruit," one student said.
But they eat none of the fruits of their labor.
"The vegetables and fruit that we picked, we were able to take them down once a week to the Luteran church on the corner, who was providing nutritional lunches once a week to needy families," ESS supervisor Susan Nekoui said.
Knowing they are helping others makes the students feel good.
"It's a greatness inside that you feel," a student said.
And they don't mind doing the dirty work.
"Weeding's actually fun to do," a student said.
"They appreciate getting out here and getting a little dirty each day, you know, spending a little time outdoors always helps, it gives them exercise," program aide Kathleen Seitz said.
For the gardeners, it's been a summer full of blooming memories. They have the satisfaction of a job well done and the good feelings that come from helping others, plus the students have cultivated an interest in gardening.
These are the bright young sprouts, feet firmly planted, who will flower so beautifully in our future.
