SANFORD — How does a garden grow? Students in Kathy McCall’s first- and second-grade classes are figuring all that out, as they learn more about healthy fruits and vegetables.

And along the way, they’re growing not just for their own enjoyment in the classroom, but for others, too.

The students have teamed up with members of Waban’s Life Works Adventure program and were planting seeds and seedlings Friday. They’ll nurture the plants and the seeds, and eventually plan to turn the container gardens over to folks at the Maples, a Sanford Housing Authority apartment complex designed for those 55 and older.

Working with Partners for a Hunger Free York County, students decided that their gardens would best serve the residents of the Maples, said Meaghan Ferrick, service learning director for Sanford schools.

The folks from Life Works provided guidance, instructing the youngsters on how to fashion plant pots from biodegradable newsprint, so when they’re ready, the seedling ”“ container and all ”“ can be planted.

“I love gardening,” said Briana Burgess, of the Life Works Adventure Program, who took environmental science when she was in high school. “I love planting and seeing plants grow ”“ and teaching.”

If all goes well, the container gardens planted with lettuce, tomatoes and herbs will be delivered to the Maples soon. The sunflowers will likely be planted on the school property.

McCall, the teacher, said an earlier project involved students learning about fruits and vegetables, and then drawing and writing about them. Their work was then made into a picture and story book, several copies of which were turned over to First Step, a child care program of Sanford Community Adult Education.

The first- and second-grade students were eager to get their hands in the dirt, and for some, that was the best part.

Seth Brooks said he and his mom grew tomatoes last year, and then made spaghetti sauce. They grew sunflowers, too.

The best part?

“Getting dirty, he said.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].