St. Bartholomew’s Academy in Scotch Plains

Students and staff members of St. Bartholomew’s were joined by Jackie of Groundwork Elizabeth for an in-depth mini lesson on plants and gardening!

Not only were students able to learn about this topic, they were also able to plant their very own tomatoes, basil, and milkweed among many others. Groundwork Elizabeth member Jackie wasn’t the only special guest, students were joined by none other than earthworms!

Did you know that there are approximately 2,700 different kind of earthworms? In addition, earthworms have the ability to replace or replicate lost segments.

Thank you to all who participated and made this possible.

Linden Academy of Science and Technology

Today Commissioner Granados joined students and staff of Linden Academy of Science and Technology for their first ever planting!

Linden Public Schools aim to prepare all students for their individual lives and for their roles as citizens in this technology-rich and scientifically complex world. Gardens are a great way to implement science and technology through the studies of different organisms, plants, and even the creation of different devices to detect soil fertility, chemicals, and water.

Thank you to all who participated and made this possible.

PISC Garden Event

Students from Escola Amadeu Correia School at the Portuguese Instructive Social Club (PISC) in Elizabeth participated in a planting event of lettuce and tomatoes. Garden Education has now been incorporated into their curriculum in order to understand the importance of agriculture. The PISC garden grows a variety of vegetables, many of Portuguese origin to teach the younger generation about their culture.

Union County’s Plant a Seed Garden Grants

HACE – Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth

HACE (Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth)- Elizabeth

Chairman Granados joined leaders of the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth for the plantation of a fig tree.

Did you know that figs provide a lot of minerals necessary for us? These include potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and copper. Figs are also a good source of antioxidant vitamins A and K.

We cannot wait to see this tree in full bloom!

Peterstown Garden

Chairman Granados, Commissioner Leon and Commissioner Palmieri-Mouded joined members of Peterstown Community center for a tour of their garden!

One of their biggest produce this year were tomatoes! Contrary to popular belief,  tomato is actually a fruit, not a vegetable. In addition, while tomatoes are low in calories, they are rich in vitamin A and C.

Frazee House

Commissioner Leon joined residents of Scotch Plains for a tour of their community garden.

One of the interesting plants growing in this garden are none other than marigolds! Marigolds range in colors. They can be orange, red, maroon, yellow, and even mixed colors!

School No. 4

Chairman Granados and Commissioner Kowalski joined students and staff of Linden Public Schools, School No. 4 for a demonstration of their amazing STEM program incorporated to their school garden!

Most of the gadgets created were those to measure the amount of sunlight and rain that their plants received as well as their very own hydroponic garden built from common household materials.

Thank you to the students and staff for all these amazing ideas and products!

Reeves Reed Arboretum

Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados joined members from Reeves Reed Arboretum in Summit for a tour of their Children’s Square Foot Garden and beautiful facility.

Not only does Reeves-Reed Arboretum care for and educate its visitors on its historic estate and gardens, it also gives back to the community through crop donations and cooking classes to kids with special needs, among some of the amazing programs they have to offer!

Thank you to the staff for an amazing tour.

Hillside Township Garden Tour

Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados attended the Community Garden Tour at the Hillside Township Garden. This has to be by far the garden with the biggest sunflower we have ever seen!

Can’t wait to see next years.