an official website of the County of Union

Crossroads School

Westfield

Cleaning Out the Gardens Before Planting

Preschool students weeding the garden beds so we can begin planting

image of teacher helping student remove weeds from the ground surrounding the raised garden beds.
Image of teacher and student planting seeds in the raised garden bed.

Crossroads School

Westfield

Mid-July Garden Photos

It’s mid-July, and the garden is coming along well!!

image of several thriving plants and flowers in pots and raised garden beds inside the Crossroads garden
close up photo of bright bushy basil plant inside a black pot
Image of thriving cucumber and tomato plants and several flowers inside the Crossroads garden
photo of green pepper plant and purple flowers in wooden raised garden bed
photo of Crossroads school garden that includes thriving marigolds and bright pink, white and purple flowers

Crossroads School

Westfield

First Harvest

First vegetable harvest of peppers, zucchini, and wax beans.

Photo of long green pepper growing on a plant
photo of three large zucchini and small green pepper on top of a wooden desk.
image of freshly harvested wax beans on a paper towel inside a woven brown wicker basket

Crossroads School

Westfield

Beginning of June Progress

Plants are continuing to grow!!

image of young plants supported by wire tomato cages in wooden raised garden
image of growing plants in pots and raised wooden garden bed
image of plants and flowers in pots and raised garden bed
wide photo of the Crossroads outdoor garden
image of growing plants surrounded the fence of the garden
sunflowers and lettuce plants growing in pots inside the crossroads garden
image of raised garden beds in the Crossroads garden with the school playground in the background

Crossroads School

Westfield

Repotting Cucumber Seeds/Grow Lights

Students at Crossroads repotted cucumber seeds that were sprouted using the ZipGrow Hydroponic garden that we received a few years ago from the County STEM grant.

Image of collection of cucumber seedlings in small biodegradable fiber pots spread out on a large wooden table.
Overhead photo of young cucumber seedlings in biodegradable fiber pots and square plastic pots

Hanson Park Conservancy

Cranford

The Growing Season Has Begun at Hanson Park

Hanson Park Conservancy is grateful for the seedlings from Groundwork Elizabeth for our ADA planter.

We are growing cucumbers, peppers, rosemary, eggplant, kale and dill.

Our volunteers check on it daily to water and weed.

Image of ADA black planter filled with cucumber, pepper, rosemary and dill and other plants.

Neighborhood House Association School

Plainfield

The tree planting experience for the preschoolers was a joyful and educational adventure, filled with excitement and a sense of purpose. As they dug into the earth, their tiny hands planting saplings, they felt a deep connection to nature.

Each child took pride in nurturing their little trees, understanding that they were contributing to a greener planet. This hands-on activity sparked their curiosity about the environment, teaching them the importance of caring for living things and fostering a sense of responsibility. The smiles on their faces reflected not just fun, but a budding awareness of their role in protecting the Earth for future generations.

Photo of Neighborhood House students and teachers pressing the soil where they will plant trees.
Neighborhood House students and teacher pressing the soil around their newly planted tree. One student and teacher high-five each other in excitement over their completed task.
Neighborhood House students and teachers marveling at their newly planted tree
Overhead shot of the students and teachers prepping the soil for their new tree

Joseph Battin Annex

Elizabeth

Ben’s Blooms

Out last stop for the 2026 tree plantings is Joseph Battin Annex! Awarded with their very first apple tree! We are very excited to see how much the students already love their new tree! The last that we were there these wonderful students named their Apple tree: Applelicious! Thank you so much for giving us a tour of your beautiful garden and we wish you the best of luck on Applelicious 😊

Students planting an apple tree.
Students planting an apple tree.
Students planting an apple tree.

William F. Halloran

Elizabeth

Trees: Nature’s Gift

This school has a wonderful area to garden and grow trees in! This year they were awarded with a Cherry tree! The students were eager to learn all about how to take care of their new tree! We are very excited to see what the future holds for them! The last that we were there these wonderful students named their Cherry tree: Cherry Sprinkles! We wish Cherry Sprinkles the best of luck 😊

Students planting a cherry tree.
Students planting a cherry tree.
Students planting a cherry tree.

School No. 4

Linden

The Power of Planting Trees

We are back for another tree planting today! We have Union County Chairman Bodek in attendance with the students and staff at School No. 4!  Awarded with a cherry tree, John from Groundwork Elizabeth, was able to explain how to take care of their new tree! Even though the tree is small right now, it has the chance to grow bigger and stronger every year! Don’t forget that with sunlight, water, healthy soil and lots of care, this beautiful tree will flourish!

Chairman Bodek and school members planting a tree.
Chairman Bodek and school members planting a tree.
Chairman Bodek and school members planting a tree.
Chairman Bodek and school members planting a tree.