Our first official PLG workshop of the year happened last Friday at our very own BedStuy Fresh Garden at 373K. Do we even need to say that the harvest season is on and popping at our favorite Brooklyn oasis? I spy… the first D75 ginger crop, a giant red okra, a new lemon tree, swiss chard, squash, corn, tomatoes, peppers, collard greens, and pounds and pounds of callaloo.

Are you as excited about the new partnership with Snug Harbor as we are? Some of the coaches went for a visit to scope out the grounds and here is a taste of what we saw. Can you spot the prickly baby cucumber and the yellow bamboo?

A few weeks back, over 60 volunteers from Google (yes, Google!) in partnership with Citizens Committee for New York City and Grow to Learn NYC came out to 373K to help with a major garden expansion project. Not only did they stay until the greenhouse was completed, but alongside the students, they helped transform a segment of the old parking lot from asphalt and gravel to brand new garden space. Thank you, Ms. Maura Flanagan and all of the volunteers and students who participated in the day.

What an amazing spring it has been! There is so much PLG news to catch up on… Let’s start with a small garden in Brooklyn that made it to the local news:

Congratulations to 53K for their amazing garden ribbon cutting celebration last week. The school won a $5,000 grant from the Budding Botanists Organization to build and maintain an edible school garden. 53K was one of seven schools nationwide to win the award, and the only school in New York to do so. Students sang songs, delivered speeches, and took invited guests on a tour of their garden. In addition to City Councilman Carlos Menchaca being at the ceremony, local news covered the event with a segment found here. Thank you to Teachers Chris McKeon and Nicole Aniello, and Principal Heather Leykam for their dedication in making the school garden a reality!

More news to come!

Here is the press release and a photo of the 811X students with their “big check” from Apples4Ed. Paula Lucas and Sandy Helms, who run the school’s greenmarket, wrote the grant to start the “Be Healthy, Snack Smart” program. Congrats, 811X on your latest healthy eating venture!

Here is a photo of Greg at 811X this morning, helping to prepare for the Healthy Snack Program kickoff. The school was awarded a BIG check from Apples4ed to get the program started. More photos to come!

Congratulations to 370K’s Margaret Negrelli for being awarded New York Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year! To read more about her work with the Garden Gladiators and Zero Waste Warriors at the Jim Thorpe School, check out the article here.

What is happening in your school garden? What are you planting? What are you cooking? How are you composting? What workshops are you going to? Send us an update about your garden with a photo or two and we will share it here! Don’t forget to check the Grow to Learn NYC calendar for upcoming events like seed, seedling, and insect giveaways- and much more.