Eager to continue, sophomores Jermaine and Bryce led a group of five students, along with junior Eara, in maintaining the garden constructed by the Urban Agriculture class instructed by Aaron. Eara was in the Culinary class instructed by Wendy and had expressed interest in plants.
The next week, sophomore Edric joined. The group patrolled the school grounds removing bulk trash, clearing debris from storm drains, felling invasive trees, maintaining the neighboring playgrounds, re-installing parking blocks, and maintaining the campus’ bio retention ponds and rain gardens.
Soon sophomore Zion joined and we began building an outdoor learning space using the work bench constructed previously by the Construction class instructed by Grow Home Baltimore’s Henry Scott and Archie Jamieson. The learning space included tree-stump seats from “Camp Smalls,” and nestled under two large Mulberry Trees which the students learned to cultivate and eat.
The trees were pruned so that the lower branches were removed that provided a large standing space under the shade during summer months. Students laid weed barriers and mulch and cleared away all the brush to level the ground. Trees cut down by students were placed in the garden and cut into stakes for fencing for plants that climb like pumpkins, cucumbers and string beans.
Students seeded mid summer crops like corn, watermelon, squash, beets, potatoes, spinach and carrots. Some crops were harvested from the spring’s planting, and students dared each other to eat hot peppers they had grown. The constructed bench became a space to propagate indoor house plants, decorated and placed into small containers designed as gifts.
The learning space became a discussion area for job training, and a grill was set up to cook out. Ideas such as an open-mic talent show, or fall celebration were discussed as to what could be done with the newly completed area.
Students walked door to door with their instructor, pitching neighbors “yard work” opportunities for summer jobs. Students from the neighboring middle and elementary school enjoyed tagging along and learning about growing plants. Projects still to be completed this summer are a student-designed mural on the wall adjacent to the garden, and painting the school’s benches.
