Redwood School Garden Breaks Ground

At Redwood Elementary School, an unused courtyard space is being transformed into an outdoor classroom where students will learn about growing food, the environment, science, art and more.

With inspiration and coordination from art teacher Lisa Schustak, and a grant from Slow Food Northern NJ, 18 new garden beds will soon sprout vegetables, herbs and hands-on learning opportunities.

The new organic vegetable and herb garden at Redwood Elementary School broke ground April 30 under sunny skies with the help of about two dozen parents, students, siblings, teachers and Slow Food Northern NJ volunteers.

Schustak applied for a $1,000 Slow Food of Northern NJ grant to start an organic school garden. She spent the grant money on six garden boxes made from long-lasting cedar wood and a composter.

At this first workday, volunteers staked out the plots, assembled wood garden boxes, dug up the grass, turned the soil using hoes, removed stones, set paver stones to mark plots, added soil, and raked the surface smooth.

"I'm so thrilled, it's just perfect," said Schustak, looking around at the activity. "We have the perfect amount of people, family, adults and children and everyone working together and taking ownership for the garden."

The township donated and dropped off compost that was brought into the courtyard garden space using wheelbarrows.

Redwood School teachers were invited to sign up for the care and maintenance of a bed for their classroom and to integrate the garden into their lesson plans.  

Third-grade teacher and West Orange resident Kristin Rella said she is looking forward to growing herbs and root vegetables, including radishes, carrots and beets, in her classroom's plot.

Another teacher is planning a "Three Sisters" garden of corn, beans and squash to illustrate lessons about Colonial America and Native American culture.

West Orange High School senior Taylor Lanzet came to help because, "I love gardening and not only want to encourage people to learn how plants grow but also encourage a green way of living in a sustainable way."

Margaret Noon, president of the Slow Food Northern NJ group, said that her organization awarded five grants this spring to start school organic gardens, including the grant to Redwood School.

The grants are meant to help "develop school gardens and teach children how to eat healthier, how to grow food, where it comes from, the effect on our environment and ultimately teach stewardship of the land," said Noon.

Slow Food Northern NJ also donated seeds, said Schustak.

Schustak said that help is needed for upcoming workdays on May 7 and May 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A blog to chart the garden's progress was started by a parent volunteer and can be found here.

Asked what her top three donation requests are, Schustak said, "We really need a shed! Also, we would love for a parent to take on responsibility for plant sale fundraising and for parents to volunteer to be a garden coordinator for their child’s classroom."

Help is also needed this summer to maintain the garden.

Parents and community members interested in helping can contact Schustak at lschustak@woboe.org.

[Editor's note: This story first published May 5 at 3:29 p.m.]