Blog: From Aldama's Garden to Your Garden

Aldama Elementary School students have been working very hard to nurse the school garden and bring it back to life. During the summer of every year, the garden dies because there is no access to water the plants. This year students have worked very hard and as a result the garden is greener and bigger than ever.

The PTA's Garden Committee is determined not to let the garden die. So an effort to raise money for an irrigation system that will automatically water the plants has begun. The community is invited to the Aldama Elementary Garden Plant Sale on Saturday, April 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. A Pre-Sale will be held on Friday, April 5 from 7-8 a.m. and then again from 2-3 pm.

The garden is an amazing educational tool and it would be great for students not to have to wait to begin utilizing it. Every year the school has to start from scratch, raise money for seeds and other supplies, clear out the dead plants and get the garden beds ready for use. Students learn so much and if the school did not have to start from scratch and rebuild the garden, they could learn so much more. A dedicated watering system will also allow for students to plant fruit trees and other permanent beds and the garden program could be expanded.

All the plants that will be on sale are from the school's garden and are cared for by Aldama students. So come get your locally grown heirloom tomato plants and other summer garden starts from Aldama this year! Plants on sale include Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, San Marzano, Beefsteak, Boxcar Willie,  Yellow Pear, Maskotka tomatoes.  The sale will also include cucumber, lettuce, zucchini, kale, napa cabbage, parsley and more. A selection of succulents and other ornamentals will also be on sale. Four-inch pots will be sold at $4 each, same as the big box store. The plants prices range from $2- $4.

Aldama Elementary is located at 632 N. Ave 50 in Highland Park. A table will be set up just outside of schools main building ready with plants for your garden.