Community Garden and CCNY Welcome Spring

Students go green and beautify the neighborhood. by Kathleen M. O'Donnell.April 21st marked the beginning of a beautiful new season at St. Luke’s Community Garden. The garden, on 141st Street and Convent Avenue is a project started two years ago by the City Agriculture Network (CAN), is a joint effort between CCNY students and Hamilton Heights community members.In celebration of Earth Day, over 50 local residents, including students, ventured into the bright sunlight to enjoy the garden’s kick off event. Throughout the day, children of all ages planted seeds with hopes that their hard work will one day grow into a bounty of fresh vegetables such as carrots, radishes, salad greens, beets, and broccoli. Other activities included transplanting chive and heirloom tomatoes seedlings for early harvest and planting sunflower seeds.In addition to planting, community members were also invited to relax with a glass of lemonade and enjoy live music, provided by neighbors and friends. Education was also on the agenda, with everyone being shown how to compost and how to take care of seedlings at home.Just three days earlier, CAN President Liz Kelman and Vice President Arielle Scardino set up shop on CCNY’s NAC Plaza to educate students about the garden just a few minutes from campus. “A lot of students were intrigued about being able to grow herbs in their homes, but afraid that they would kill them. A few decided to plant seeds and let us bring them to the garden. We gave them tags to write their names, so they can come check on them later in the summer,” said Scardino.The community garden will be open all summer at least twice a week. Check out the CAN blog for updates on hours, future events, and photos: http://cityagrinet.wordpress.com/ and get out there and enjoy St. Luke’s Community Garden.