Garden Installation at Alexander

Hamilton Academy

March 2010 I

By Amy Jolin, City Green Education Director

We visited Alexander Hamilton Academy on Marc 11 to install two raised bed gardens. A crew of 7 seventh graders arrived first. They’d been weeded out from their peers for the privilege of visiting the garden. They were wary of getting their cldan shoes and trousers dirty, but gloves and goggles helped them get over the hurdle. Half of them pounded nails—some for the first time ever. Others picked up trash. They’d obviously been studying the project because they knew what they’d be building and some of the history of a 3 sisters garden. We got one bed built and filled and the second bed built with a bit of soil before they had to leave.

Next a big crew of second graders came leaping into the alley. They were DELIGHTED to be helping out. They loved the dirt, they loved the shovels, they loved the pails of dirt, they loved carrying the dirt. They could not get enough of it. “I LOVE doing this" was heard often.They wild with excitement and

Tom had to hustle to keep them dumping the dirt where it was needed. I stayed on the dirt pile making sure that the shovels were not swung too wide by  strong little boys with very short arms and overflowing enthusiasm. Tom made sure that soil was placed in the bed rather than onto the walk.

What a Bunch of Nice Kids!