Macaroni Mom on a Mission: Lisa Ely

Local elementary school Charles Helmers has their very own garden, thanks in part to a $10,000 grant from Seeds of Change, Lowe's Heroes volunteers, local businesses and parents that are passionate about the importance of gardening in schools. One of local moms that was instrumental in the creation of this learning garden was Lisa Ely, author of the "Kinder Garden" book series and president and creator of Karden's Corner. Lisa's bubbly personality and enthusiasm for getting kids outdoors and into the garden make her the perfect choice for our first article in our Macaroni Mom on a Mission series. Read on to learn more about Lisa, her mission for our community, how her kids inspire her and more.

My mission is to help families dig in and enjoy gardening while helping to build gardens in schools across America. I have always LOVED playing in the mud and running through the grass with sprinklers on. Playing and learning in the garden is an extension of that. There are so many things to see and learn in the garden and after building a few successful gardens around the state, I have been able to see that building a school garden is so much more than that. It's about creating an "experience" for the kids to actually take what they are learning in class and practicing those skills in the real world. The outdoor classroom experience also allows kids to make mistakes and see that things are fixable. When a tomato doesn't get enough water, the students learn to make adjustments and be flexible and try again. I also have met with so many parents who are scared or intimidated to be in the garden because they were never taught. I enjoy teaching everyone in the family. We are all "WASHABLE" and it really is good to get dirty.

I would love to be able to help build and create garden programs for all schools. It's a lofty goal but with the right team of sponsors it can be done. The biggest challenge is helping the teachers know that the garden program is not an extra chore for them but a live textbook... another tool for teaching what they are doing in the classroom. School gardens have a great potential for experiential learning in all subjects when incorporated into classroom curriculum effectively. Studies show that students who spend a class session in the garden are able to focus better sitting in the classroom later in the day. Fresh air, sunshine and some dirt play is really good for everyone.

My kids inspired me to create Karden's Corner and write my original three books. The book deal landed at my doorstep overnight after successfully producing a front yard makeover series for Discovery Networks. I had never really thought about it, but when the publisher sent over the contract I couldn't resist the urge to see if I could accomplish a new goal. My kids were 4 and 2 at the time and I was excited about perhaps taking a sabbatical from my 12-hour days in TV production and being home with them a bit more. Each day we came up with new projects to do in the garden and the ideas just came easily. I also joke that after 44 years, I'm really good at playing. Before I knew it, friends were calling and emailing me asking what I was doing with the kids that day, so they could do the same with theirs. I started having a following of moms in the area and they were waiting daily for my ideas to help keep them busy with their kids. Living in the LA area, I was just excited to see my kids outside and getting dirty- and they were laughing and learning. 

When my daughter started kindergarten she was at a school that had a garden, but no one was helping it grow. I raised my hand at the PTA meeting and said I'd be happy to help with the garden, and from there everything grew. (Pun intended). Although I really focus on helping families learn how to garden, I started to dig into the curriculum and worked with the teachers at different grade levels to find ways to help them take lessons from the classroom and create hands-on learning lessons out in the garden. The laughter and excitement of every child getting their hands dirty kept me motivated.

I don’t know that my life before children influenced the mom I am today but I do firmly believe that every experience has created the person I am today. I am lucky that as a TV non-fiction and documentary producer I have traveled the world over and over. I have documented so many different people and gotten to learn from so many that I often joke that I am great at parties because I am never the expert but I do know a little bit about everything. I know how to ask questions and I am very curious.  As a mom, I often rely on those same skills to help my kids learn about the world we live in and the kind of people they want to become.  I love discovering new things and am really good at sitting back and watching them learn. I am the opposite of a “helicopter” mom. As a TV documentary producer my job has always been to watch and know what is going to happen but not be part of the story. I parent in a similar way. I set things up and ask questions but ultimately I try to let my kids learn on their own.  

In gardening, my son was 4 and we were planting tomatoes and herbs.  A weed came up and he decided he liked the weed way more than a tomato plant. Some parent’s reaction is to just pull the weed. Instead, we turned it into a science project and saw how the growth of the weed impacted his crops. His weed was huge but his crops were not.  He still loved his weed and I learned a great lesson in the garden, let him have his own garden.  I gave him the tools to create and grow something but he decided what he wanted. That little lesson I know will help him stand up for what he wants in the future and he’ll be able to make his own decisions and have his own reasons.

I have been lucky to learn that even if my mission or my business plan fails my family still comes out on top. Ultimately I get to create and play everyday when I’m testing to garden lessons and experiments. My kids and their friends help out.  Even if I am not able to make a big difference in the school districts I have seen the effects of gardening on my kids and this adventure has made me a much better mom. I get to play with my kids and interact with them.  They are part of the process and we are building a closeness that I would not have otherwise. I know the investment just in my kids alone is worth everything.

My kids are learning to just go do it.  There are many people who  have and will slam the door in my face and tell me every reason why a school doesn’t need a garden. “The teachers don’t want it.”  “There isn’t enough room.”  “We don’t have time for it.”  “It’s not a program our PTA wants.”  “We had a garden and it failed so we don’t want to do another one.”  “It doesn’t work with our teaching style.”  It’s hard to imagine but I’ve heard it from my kid’s own school.  The kids have seen me learn when it’s time to shift a goal and set a new target.  That is a valuable lesson and I’m excited that they’re watching me do it and they are part of it.   

I have found that I love being outside even more than before I started gardening.  I am fairly athletic and actually run 3 to 8 miles a day, usually in the morning before work and school.  This is my time to think through all the wacky garden ideas I have.  I also have started Dragon Boat paddling and racing and love being part of a team.  I have always taken time for myself and am lucky that I am happily married and we are a team when it comes to taking care of the kids.  We also have strived to help teach them independence and self-reliance so even at 10 and 8 now they are good about doing things for themselves.  

I also am extremely energetic and enthusiastic so I just go! Go! GO!  It’s annoying to some but I am very lucky that I am good at juggling multiple things at once. I stay organized with lists on my computer and adhere to deadlines.  I also have learned to start saying “no” to things that just don’t fit into our schedule or become a distraction without benefit.  Also, as an only child I never sat at a table and heard “please pass the potatoes,” so I love having sit down dinners. We make an effort to sit down as a family at least 5, if not 6 nights a week to have dinner together. This goal turned out to be a great tool in slowing us down. We made it a priority in our house so if we start overbooking ourselves with activities that would prohibit our family dinner we so no to the other activity.  We talk and laugh as a family and it really helps me remember why I want to be successful with this garden program. I like being home now with my kids instead of traveling all over the world.

Spread the word about why school and family gardening is so important. Just think about when you step outside. Do you notice the trees and flowers? How does the sun feel?  Do you want to stay cooped up in an office for 8 hours a day? If not, why would you want your kids too. With decrease in PE and other extra curricular activities at school, a garden is needed now more than ever.  How about doing an event with families and gardens?  I know my enthusiasm is infectious!


If you want more information on how your children can learn from gardening, visit the Karden's Corner Facebook page. Don't forget to LIKE them while you are there!

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