Funded in part by:
Power of Plants
Bringing the Joy of Gardening to our Schools
The schools we work with have over 75% of the children on free and reduced lunches. Many of those families, even with two working parents, frequently face food insecurity.
Our Power of Plants program seeks to expose students to healthy foods and where they come from. They gain a sense of teamwork, learn patience and focus, and gain self-confidence. We want these children to not just create a habit of being in our gardens, but learn skills in these gardens that help them to be more self-sufficient in the future.
Scroll down below to see the different seasons of gardening at Newark City Schools!
Winter
In late January, students begin learning about the thrilling world of luffa! They kick off the season by starting luffa seeds in the classroom, peeling and preparing last year’s dried luffa, and crafting their very own soap from freshly sliced luffa. It’s a hands-on adventure that brings nature and creativity together in an unforgettable way!
Spring
At the first sign of spring, students eagerly dig into their school gardens, planting seeds and transplanting their luffa seedlings. They immerse themselves in the magic of nature, exploring the secrets of planting and nurturing as they watch their gardens grow. It’s an exciting journey of discovery, growth, and hands-on learning!
Fall
Students experience the payoff of their hard work as they harvest the vegetables they nurtured from tiny seeds! Then they get to savor the delicious flavors of their own gardens on tasting days! In addition, they can embark on thrilling field trips to the fruit and forest farm, where the adventure of learning continues amidst nature's bounty. It’s a season filled with delicious discoveries and unforgettable experiences!
