Greeny and the Preschool

Visit the second floor at 375 Pearl Street and you might wonder what that strange looking tower glowing with light is all about. The children will tell you they are growing edible plants such as cherry tomatoes, beans, lettuce, nasturtiums, peas, spinach and basil in an aeroponic garden tower they have named Greeny.

In the spirit of stewardship and sustainability the Preschool and Lower school are working with Lisa Suriano of Veggications and with Robin Stewart our Librarian (chief gardener) in learning to grow nutritious food indoors! They are growing edible plants such as cherry tomatoes, beans, lettuce, nasturtiums, peas, spinach and basil in the aeroponic garden tower.

The children are learning that plants need light (the growing lights), water (the water is pumped up through the tower to periodically irrigate the roots) and soil- but in this case there is NO soil, as the nutrients are added to the water (same as the nutrients that are found in soil) and the roots are nourished in that way.

In keeping with the principles and values of our mission, through the “Greeny” Initiative, the children are learning that it is important to care for living things. It is a great challenge for little hands to learn to exercise restraint, to touch the plants gently, and to treat the tower with care. Planting the seeds and watching them grow and eating the food they give us is a wonderful endeavor, full of learning. We are very excited about this project!

– Maura Eden, Head of Preschool