Liberty Park Garden
Thanks to Chad Vianney’s 2013 Eagle Scout project and with assistance from Paige Sykes, Liberty Park students can now enjoy the thriving herb and vegetable garden that grows right on school property. Some of the items are harvested for use in school meals, as well. Photos courtesy of Amanda Foster.
All fifth-grade classes at Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park (VHELP) visited the school garden in September. While in the garden, Betsy Joyner, the school garden caretaker and a VHELP parent, talked to students about how plants defend themselves against animals and bugs. The students also learned about good bugs and bad bugs. Students got the opportunity to tour the garden and see the variety of vegetables and herbs currently growing, including okra, zucchini, black-eyed peas, green beans and bell peppers.
The garden was revived during the 2012-13 school year by Paige Sykes and Eagle Scout Chad Vianney. Last year, Joyner took on the responsibility of caring for the garden. Parent volunteers have solely maintained the garden until this year, watering, weeding and prepping beds when planting time rolled around. This year, however, the students are getting involved in the process by volunteering to water and weed during recess times. Starting with the fifth-graders, a different grade will take care of the duties each month. Students harvest and do most of the planting when they visit with their classes throughout the year.
Some veggies and herbs are chosen for the garden in cooperation with Amy Long, Child Nutrition Program (CNP) manager for both Liberty Park Middle and Elementary schools, since she and her staff are the ones in charge of using the products to prepare school meals. This fall, black-eyed peas were added for the first time because they are a veggie that many children love. Long also requests herbs based on what the cafeteria uses the most — lemon thyme, thyme, dill and rosemary — or what there may be a shortage of, causing an item to be expensive. For example, recently a request was made for more basil, as a basil shortage is predicted for winter. Other plants are chosen based on student interest or ease of growth. Okra as well as green, yellow and burgundy beans are favorites for the kids to pick. Mint and citrus-smelling herbs fascinate the students, as they are able explore using all of their senses.
