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By Jordyn DeJesus

Radishes, watermelon, lemon balm, and tomatoes are some of the delicious fruits and vegetables growing in our BBES Community Garden this year thanks to the new Garden Club started by Ms. Bialek and Mrs. O’Keefe. I interviewed them about the club, which has been meeting weekly since April at the raised garden beds next to the school.

Q: How many people are in Garden Club?

AB: About 15. We meet on Thursdays after school for about 45 minutes.

Q: What made you want to make a garden club?

AB: Gardening brings me so much joy and peace, and I wanted the students to have the opportunity to find that in gardening as well. We also had a beautiful garden space waiting to be cared for.

Q: What do you hate most about gardening?

KO: Nothing.

AB: Nothing.

Q: What do you like most about gardening?

KO: I really enjoy taking care of the plants, weeding to give the little plants room to grow, and watering to give them a nice cool drink. I love seeing what nature is able to do with just a tiny seed.  Watching the seed sprout is always a little miracle to me. I also like to teach others about the garden so that they might get the same love of gardening that I first experienced as a child. 

AB: I love the earthy smells, the feeling of soil on my hands, and the idea of planting something that will transform from a tiny seed to a beautiful, thriving plant which can feed many.

Q: What is your favorite vegetable to grow in your garden?

KO: Radishes.

AB: Tomatoes.

Q: How do you feel when you are gardening?

AB: At peace and connected to nature.

Q: What is your favorite fruit to grow in your garden?

KO: Strawberries.

B: Watermelon.

Q: What are you going to do with all of the things you grow?

AB: We will give food to garden club members, to the Bradley Food Pantry, and any member of the community who wants to come and get it. It is a community garden!

Q: Do you like gardening with someone?

KO: Yes!

AB: Yes!

Q: Who do you like to garden with?

O- Ms. Bialek.

B- Mrs. O’Keefe.

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Mrs. O’Keefe made us a lemon balm tea. It is very simple to make and delicious.

Lemon Balm Tea Recipe

Ingredients

Hot water 

Lemon balm 

How to

First get a hot cup of water.

Next, get some of the lemon balm and rip the leaves into pieces.

Then, put it in a diffuser or put it in the cup.

Wait 10 to 15 minutes to infuse the flavor.

Finally, enjoy.