The New Lebanon School garden is weeded, seeded, watered and ready to receive a new batch of green thumbs when school starts at the end of the month!
In an effort organized by New Leb’s Garden Club after school coordinators, Liz Rutledge and Beth Pierson, over 35 families came together from across the school community to pull weeds, plant seeds, paint row markers, and build protective fencing. The group celebrated with juice boxes and tasty pizza from Constantino’s.
New Leb’s garden beds were funded a few years back through a generous grant from the Greenwich Alliance for Education. While gardening features heavily in the 2nd grade curriculum, the PTA felt it was important to give more students access to hands-on learning experiences in the beautiful outdoor space.
Over the course of the past spring, Liz and Beth designed and implemented a 6-week after school gardening program for 20 students in grades K-3.
Liz Rutledge and Beth Pierson, New Lebanon School’s Garden Club after school coordinators. Photos courtesy of Kristen Mulhearn and Ariana Kuehne
Garden cleanup at New Lebanon School. Photos courtesy of Kristen Mulhearn and Ariana Kuehne
The garden clean up event included the planting of vegetables that are tolerant to cooler temperatures. The goal is to have lettuce, kale, beets, cabbage, carrots and beans for students to harvest and taste in the fall. The after school garden program plans to run again in the fall, but the long-term sustainability of the program is not guaranteed.
As anyone with their own garden knows, growing fruits and vegetables takes a lot of time, energy, and attention. Add into the mix the creation of engaging educational activities, and it could be a full time job.
The garden club is grateful to Julie DesChamps from Waste Free Greenwich who donated 5 bags of compost to the effort.
If you are interested in supporting this ongoing effort to get kids outside, caring for the planet and excited about trying new food, please consider making a donation to the New Lebanon PTA.
Garden cleanup at New Lebanon School. Photos courtesy of Kristen Mulhearn and Ariana Kuehne
Garden cleanup at New Lebanon School. Photos courtesy of Kristen Mulhearn and Ariana Kuehne
Garden cleanup at New Lebanon School. Photos courtesy of Kristen Mulhearn and Ariana Kuehne
Garden cleanup at New Lebanon School. Photos courtesy of Kristen Mulhearn and Ariana Kuehne
Garden cleanup at New Lebanon School. Photos courtesy of Kristen Mulhearn and Ariana Kuehne
Garden cleanup at New Lebanon School. Photos courtesy of Kristen Mulhearn and Ariana Kuehne
Garden cleanup at New Lebanon School. Photos courtesy of Kristen Mulhearn and Ariana Kuehne
Garden cleanup at New Lebanon School. Photos courtesy of Kristen Mulhearn and Ariana Kuehne
Garden cleanup at New Lebanon School. Photos courtesy of Kristen Mulhearn and Ariana Kuehne
Garden cleanup at New Lebanon School. Photos courtesy of Kristen Mulhearn and Ariana Kuehne
Garden cleanup at New Lebanon School. Photos courtesy of Kristen Mulhearn and Ariana Kuehne