You're probably pretty thrilled that it's (finally) stopped raining, but we know some kids who are even happier.
Members of the Concord Boys and Girls Club are spending the summer tending three raised garden beds outside their clubhouse. Last week they were contemplating outfitting their lettuce plants with lifejackets but now the kids – and their veggies- are basking in the sun.
Kids and staff members built the beds and planted the seeds early this spring. Chris Walker, 11, says the process was fun . . . but not easy.
“There was lots of stuff,” he said. “Nails, power tools.”
There was also poop. Well, clean manure actually. The kids were grossed out at first, but they gladly mixed the manure and soil once they learned about the nuances of fertilizing an organic garden.
“The coolest part was filling it with the dirt,” said Curtis Blair, 11.
As tomatoes, peppers, herbs, pumpkins, watermelons and other garden goodies grow, the kids will take them home to their families. Staff members hope the fresh produce will encourage dinner-table discussions about the merits of good nutrition.
Come fall, the club will host a salad party where members will share their veggies and what they've learned about healthy eating. The kids are already warming up to the wonders of frozen broccoli through the club's cooking classes and looking forward to using their own veggies soon.
The gardens were subsidized by the Foundation for Healthy Communities, which wants to encourage kids to eat well and exercise. This is one of several community gardens throughout the state that the foundation is supporting this summer, including the one outside the Penacook Community Center.
You might remember their garden from our issue about the center's offerings. Kids from the center's summer day camp will tend their veggies with the help of volunteers.
Hmmm. We wonder where a bigger zucchini can grow, Concord or Penacook?
