NAHANT — The town’s Community Garden has grown with a lot of help from Johnson Elementary School and its students.
The garden was started more than a decade ago by a Department of Public Works employee, Paul Ciara.
“At that time, a corner was carved out for the Johnson School’s use, which is fitting as the Community Garden is located on the school grounds and is a part of their campus,” Johnson School Principal Kevin Andrews said in a statement.
Andrews explained that when Ciara retired, the garden’s management structure changed. Residents could now sign up for their plots, and a few more plots were added around the school.
Andrews also had the school’s students participate. They started by planting one bed in the spring and moving on to a different bed the following year.
He soon realized that this didn’t make a lot of sense, though, and came up with the idea of students sticking to their garden and “graduating” from it at the same time they graduate from the school itself.
“In this way, a student assigned a bed in kindergarten would be able to work it over the summer and throughout their school career,” Andrews said.
He explained that now, students work on gardening with him and Diana Brandi, the lead garden volunteer.
“Each garden has edible perennials, including sage, mint, asparagus, and fennel,” Andrews said. “These plants provide instant gratification to students when they garden.”
Students have also received donations thanks to Brandi and her connections to Home Depot, which have allowed additions such as broccoli, tomatoes, and peppers to the beds.
Andrews said that having students work on these beds offers many benefits, and the students really get the gratification of enjoying what they grow.
“Gardening also brings a stronger connection to and enjoyment of their school, which motivates them to come to and participate in their schooling,” Andrews said.
