Cumberland County #NJ #Greenhouse Ribbon Cutting #GardenCuizine #schoolgardens

New Greenhouse 

at Bridgeton High School, NJ

This summer, Bridgeton High School, located in Cumberland County, NJ, unveiled a new 1,500 sq. foot greenhouse that was funded and donated by the Procacci family, Revive South Jersey and NJ Community Capital. 

The new student greenhouse features a student-built hydroponic farm! In the fall, science and nutrition class students will plant herbs, fruits and vegetables there. 

Thanks to District Nutritionist, Allison Wentzell; Jacque Mermer, Assistant Director of Food Services and master of ceremonies, Mr. Warren DeShields, Director of Food Services of Bridgeton Public Schools for inviting me to attend; I love the new greenhouse and can't wait to see what your students grow! 

Dietitians and healthcare professionals take the challenge of reversing childhood obesity very seriously. Scientific evidence has long shown that kids who garden eat more fruits and vegetables. Eating more plant foods helps to prevent diseases, such as obesity, cancer and heart disease. The introduction of gardens in schools is a great gift to the students.

Many people were involved in bringing the idea of a greenhouse to the school district at Bridgeton HS to the students. Agriculture is one of the goals that some students are pursuing. The greenhouse will serve as a teaching tool for students in science class. Hydroponic gardening depends on an important nutrient blend and water testing the pH in order to grow food without soil.

Plant foods are important because they provide essential vitamins, minerals, fiber and other compounds. Fruits and vegetables are low in energy density so they also help people achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.

"Imagine having your own greenhouse," said Dr. Thomasina Jones, Superintendent Bridgeton Public Schools. The students will be given an opportunity to "Cultivate seeds, nurture those seeds and watch them bloom and flourish." Best wishes to all with this exciting agriculture opportunity to grow their own fruits and vegetables. 

The first greenhouse for Bridgeton Public Schools will provide 540 plant spaces in the new hydroponic system. Raised garden beds and more outdoor learning spaces can be found at West Avenue School and Cherry Street School.

Related Links
NJ State Health Assessment Data

Seed starting for Summer harvest #GardenCuizine #NNM #NationalNutritionMonth #CSOWM

Veggie and Flower

Seed Starting 

for Summer Blooms 

and Harvest

National Nutrition Month, every March, is a great time to start growing veggies, herbs and flowers. Yesterday, we got some seeds started indoors, under grow lights, for our summer garden here in NJ USDA zone 7a. I'll post the germination time next to each plant as they germinate. It is not too late to start veggie, flower and herb seeds indoors for your garden too.

Typically I start seeds on St. Patty's Day, but this year I was side-tracked from the late season ice storm 'Stella' and studying for an exam to become a Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM). 

I am proud to be among the first healthcare professionals in the US to qualify to test for the new Academy of Nutrition interdisciplinary credential. I took the 3-hour exam Friday and won't know the results for 6 to 8 long weeks. 

In the meantime, I'm happy to fit in some gardening and much needed yard clean up. Last weekend, we hauled a lot of tree limbs to the curb. Harry had a chance to use a newly purchased chain saw. We still have a fallen pine to deal with. Planting seeds was good therapy in dealing with the sadness of so much storm damage.

Around Mother's Day, after danger of frost, we will plant seedlings that were started inside, outside. Some of our seedlings will be added to our veggie garden; some will go in flower beds, some will be traded with garden friends and some will go into pots on our porch. Here is what we have started indoors under grow lights:

1. Black Krim heirloom tomatoes - germinated ?
2. Goldberg's heirloom tomatoes - germinated 4/3
3. large yellow heirloom tomatoes (not sure of ID) - germinated 4/3
4. Leslie's French Petit Moineau heirloom tomatoes - germinated 4/3
5. Zebra heirloom tomatoes - germinated 4/2
6. large red cherry - germinated 4/2
7. Pomodoro San Marzano (seeds from Italy) - germinated 4/2
8. Chianti Rose heirloom tomatoes- germinated 4/4
9. Chocolate Cherry heirloom tomatoes (love these!) - ? plant again
10. large red heirloom tomatoes (not sure of ID) - germinated 4/3
11. Jamaican Hot Chocolate peppers
12. Chiltepin peppers (they are super HOT, 100,000 Scoville, pea-shaped) 
13. Coronado hyssop (love the smell; hummingbird favorite!) - germinated 4/4
14. Salvia viridis 'Marble Arch Rose' - germinated 4/1
15. 'Fragrant Cloud' Nicotiana
16.  Hollyhock single pink
17. Cardinal flower vine - germinated 4/7
18. Capers (another try from seeds from a special visit to Cape Cod in 2013)
19. Salvia fariosasa 'blue salvia'
20. 'Lady in Red' salvia (must have for hummers!)- poor germination, try again!
21. Coral Nymph salvia - germinated 4/1
22. large white salvia
23. Nepeta tall pink (seeds from a Dave's Garden swap in 2010)
24. Amsterdam Seasoning Celery
25. Italian basil - poor germination 4/6
26. Black poppy 2012 - germinated 4/2

Seeds started indoors 4/1/17

1.  Korean Hyssop - germinated 4/14
2. Mina Lobata Spanish Flag - germinated 4/18

Seeds started indoors 4/9/17 

1. Chocolate Cherry heirloom - germinated ?

 More started indoors 4/14/17

1. Leslie's French Currant Tomatoes Petit Moineau- germinated 4/20
2. Lavendar Breadseed Poppies
3. Purple Majesty Millet
4. Mexican Sunflower - germinated 4/19

... replanted 4/16

1. Lady in Red - germinated 4/20

Seeds direct sown in veggie garden 4/9/17

1. Arugula! Rucola seeds from Italy 

Happy Gardening! Stop back for updates!
Blog post Copyright (C)Wind. All rights reserved. National Nutrition Month® is a federally registered service mark of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.Used on GardenCuizine with permission.