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JVJ STEM Academy

Elizabeth

Garlic Planting

Students harvesting veggies, pulling weeds, and planting garlic.

JVJ STEM Academy students remove weeds from the school's raised garden beds
A JVJ student rolls up their sleeves as they remove weeds from the garden beds
Students clearing weeds from the raised garden beds
JVJ students dig through the raised garden beds
Two JVJ Students proudly display their harvested eggplants and green peppers in a plastic bag
freshly picked eggplants and green peppers spread out on a table

JVJ STEM Academy

Elizabeth

Updates

Images of garden growth and progress at JVJ Stem Academy.

JVJ STEM Academy students and faculty planting a young tree.
JVJ STEM Academy faculty member actively planting a young tree
JVJ STEM Academy student posing beside a newly planted tree.
Photo of several basil plants contained in small pots
Male student holding a small basil plant in his hand
Female student holding a young basil plant in her hand
Photo with students sitting in chairs in a classroom. One student is facing and smiling towards the camera as he holds his basil plant.
Photo of freshly harvested green bell peppers and egg plants in plastic storage bags
Image of freshly harvested vibrant green peppers and egg plants in zip lock bags
close-up image of two green bell peppers and one skinny eggplant on top of a desk.

Neighborhood House Association School

Plainfield

Bees in the Fall

During the fall, the students had the opportunity to observe bees as they continued to visit the flowers. They watched the bees moving from flower to flower and explored the wonderful scent of lavender by smelling the flowers.

Three Neighborhood House Association School students standing in front of the school's raised garden beds
Close-up image of lavender plants in the garden. Bees can be seen on some of the lavender flowers.
Close-up image of lavender plants in the garden. Bees can be seen on some of the lavender flowers.
Close-up image of lavender plants in the garden. Bees can be seen on some of the lavender flowers.
3 students look down at the bees flying on top of the lavender plant

This hands-on experience allowed children to connect with nature, use their senses, and learn about the important role bees play in our environment.

3 students look down at the bees flying on top of the lavender plant
3 students look down at the bees flying on top of the lavender plant
Students look down at the bees flying on top of the lavender plant

Morris Union Jointure Commission – Developmental Learning Center

New Providence

Golden leaves, crisp fall air, and big discoveries! 🍂🍎

Autumn has arrived in our school garden! As the leaves turn vibrant shades of gold, our students are gaining hands-on lessons in seasonal cycles.

A student and a teacher are standing in front of a young tree with sparse yellow autumn leaves.

Battle Hill Elementary School

Union

Preparing for the “Pumpkin Patch”!

Students in the 3rd grade at Battle Hill School weeded the garden in preparation of the annual pumpkin patch event. The students enjoyed learning about how to take care of the garden, and how to weed the beds. They worked together collaboratively and enjoyed every minute!

Photo of students cleaning up the yard and garden bed
Image of three students kneeling on the ground as they clear the weeds out of a garden bed. One young student is smiling and facing the camera
A group of Battle Hill Elementary students clearing the weeds out of the garden bed
Four students working together, weeding the garden bed
Another image of a group of students clearing the weeds out of a garden bed at Battle Hill Elementary
Image of students working together, under a clear blue sky, to remove weeds at the Battle Hill Elementary Garden

School No. 4

Linden

Fall Flowers

As we reminisce on the beauty of our summertime flowers, and enjoy the last few blooms, we are working to collect and dry the seeds for next year!

Photo of a student removing seeds from a dried sunflower head resting on their lap.
Image of a hand holding a freshly cut bouquet of pink, magenta and red zinnia flowers in the outdoors.
Image of a hand holding a dried sunflower head with some of the seeds removed

School No. 4

Linden

Fall Figs & Tomatoes

Back to school has brought us back to the garden, and we have been enjoying a plethora of figs and tomatoes!

Photo of School No' 4's fig tree plant
student plucking a fig from the fig tree
Photo of students' hands with palms facing up. Some students are holding figs
Student holding freshly picked teardrop cherry tomatoes

Hanson Park Conservancy

Cranford

Eggplants and Peppers

Photos of eggplants and peppers in the ADA-raised planter.

Photo of flourishing eggplants at Hanson Park Conservancy's garden
Close-up image of eggplant in Hanson Park Conservancy's garden bed

Elmora School No. 12

Elizabeth

Summer at Elmora 12 Eagles Garden

We are super excited about everything our garden is giving back to us and the surprise volunteer seeds that are sprouting.

Close up image of borage plant with bright bluish and pinkish hued star shaped flowers
close up image of a blooming radish plant. Rich magenta petals that fade to white centers with yellow stamens
close up image of vibrant coreopsis flower blossoms, bright-yellow petals with a deep burgundy textured center
Close up image of vibrant bachelor's button flowers. Fringed royal blue papery petals that fade to a purplish center
School No. 12 students gathered for a tree planting demonstration from Groundworks Elizabeth
Picture of School No. 12 students in their outdoor garden
Image of green striped zucchinis growing in the garden
Lady in a green t-shirt holding up a green striped zucchini
Image of the raised garden beds inside the School No. 12 garden
Image of freshly harvested yellow potatoes in the garden
strawberry plant growing in the garden
Blooming gladiolus flower plant
Freshly picked ears of corn
large round cantaloupes growing in the garden
close up image of a poppy flower

From eggplants, peaches, tomatoes, melons, zucchinis, potatoes, and pumpkins…

We are thrilled!!! We also have new recycled fence painted by students.

School No. 12 female student standing behind wooden pink fence
School No. 12 male student holding a green drill to drive a screw into the wooden pink fence

Prevention Links

Elizabeth

Elizabethport Community Center Garden – July 2026

During the month of July, our Community Garden continued to grow and thrive thanks to the consistent involvement and dedication of community members. We are excited to report that the garden has already produced its first harvests, and our new apple tree has begun producing fruit—a wonderful sign of the progress and care invested in the garden.

The garden has experienced abundant growth throughout the month, providing community members with opportunities to participate in hands-on gardening, learn about growing fresh produce, and contribute to the maintenance of a shared community space.

Image of the Elizabethport Community outdoor garden
image of green tomatoes growing on the vine in the outdoor garden
Large pumpkin peeking out of the vines in the garden
A variety of vegetable plants growing in the outdoor garden
green tomatoes growing on the vine
Image of mature onion plants growing in the garden beds
up close photo of green tomatoes growing on the vine
picture of Elizabethport Community Center garden

A particularly important part of the garden’s success has been the continued involvement of our senior participants and residents from the nearby senior housing community. Their regular participation in watering, planting, maintaining, and caring for the garden has helped create a strong sense of ownership and connection to the space.

Beyond growing fruits and vegetables, the Community Garden continues to serve as a space that promotes community engagement, intergenerational connection, physical activity, and access to fresh produce.

We are grateful to all of the community members who dedicate their time and effort to caring for the garden and look forward to continuing to build on this progress throughout the remainder of the growing season.