Riverside Elementary – School Garden Update

For more photos and details about Riverside's garden, please visit its web site: http://rs.prs.k12.nj.us/OutdoorClassroom

Fall, 2011

It's been a busy and productive fall at Riverside. In late September, the garden hosted a "nibble as you go" tour to kick off New Jersey's Farm-to-School week. NJ Secretary of Agriculture, Douglas Fisher, and other state, federal and local officials joined. 

In early October, the school garden hosted a workshop for teachers and garden educators, where participants enjoyed learning lessons appropriate for elementary school students and troubleshooting school garden concerns with parents and community volunteers who work in the garden. The program was a result of a partnership among the Riverside Elementary School, the Princeton Environmental Film Festival and New Jersey Farm to School Network.

July, 2011

Riverside completed the first half of its garden residency this spring, with each class meeting six times for lessons and activities. Favorites included learning the host plants of black swallowtails and flavoring dips only with those herbs (dill, parsley, cilantro, fennel and carrots); making beet green smoothies with berries donated by Whole Earth Center; and harvesting produce to donate to the Crisis Ministry food pantry. 

This summer, chard, kale, collards, beets, turnips, arugula are being harvested, along with the last of the peas, lettuce, potatoes, carrots, raspberries and herbs.

- Contributed by Dorothy Mullen