KELLS GOES GREEN: PLANTING FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Our plan is to transform a slope of the park across from our school into a community vegetable garden. The seeds have been planted; students are enthusiastic about learning how to cultivate and grow various plant species.

Kells Goes Green

Planting 101

Last fall, our director, Ms. Woods had the opportunity to hear a talk by Steven Ritz, a teacher in the South Bronx who spoke about how he and his students designed and implemented gardens and green spaces in their neighbourhood. She came back inspired and convinced that Kells, with the collaboration of the NDG community, could do the same thing on a slightly smaller scale. Fast forward to March and the first seeds have already been planted in Mr. Jankowski’s junior Science Class. Students are enthusiastic about learning how to grow and cultivate various plant species, and in doing so, they are making the first contribution to the beautification and “greening” of their school.

With the arrival of warmer weather, the next step is to move outside and plant a garden. Our plan is to transform the slope at the corner of De Maisonneuve and Park Row West, right across from the school, into a community vegetable garden.

Proceedings with the City of Montreal have already begun and once we have the green light, we will form a committee to plan the details of the planting and cultivation of this space. Our hope is that students and staff at Kells will work alongside our neighbours in order to maintain a community vegetable garden that will undoubtedly benefit our local community. Our goal is to grow enough fresh produce to be able to donate to the NDG Food Depot!