School Garden Project Takes Shape 

KENBRIDGE – Kenbridge Elementary School students returned to school this past Monday to find a new addition.

An idea presented to Lunenburg County School Board officials last month by Kenbridge Elementary School teacher Mark Roncinske has quickly taken shape. Roncinske, along with Twigs and Berries owner Marianne Cicala, presented the idea of having a school garden that would promote outdoor growing activities, overall physical activity and health to the elementary students.

A large group of teachers, administrators and community members showed up Sunday to plant at the KES garden project.

The idea has taken form quickly as Cicala and Tony Matthews of Matthews Lawn Care worked on the area near the school last Friday to prepare it for planting. On Sunday a large group of citizens and teachers that included Roncinske and KES Principal Kathleen Rainey all showed up to pitch in and plant the new garden.

Cicala, who is using her design and growing knowledge to help create the garden, said that the perennial component of the garden, fruit trees, berry bushes, grape vines, herbs and plenty of flowers like daisies, blanket flower, gardenias, roses and spring bulbs for the pollinators, is what was planted this past weekend.

She went on to say that this week, garlic and onion sets would be planted as well as kale, radish and mustard seeds.  Cicala stated, “Although it’s a bit late for most fall eatables, it’s important to get plants in the veggie beds to hold down weed growth. The veggie beds are raised almost 12” which will allow the soil to get warmer faster next spring and since these beds are permanent (require no tilling) spring planting will be quick and easy.  I can’t wait to see this garden next spring; it will just keep getting better and better.”

Lunenburg Schools Superintendent Charles Berkley was also on hand this past Friday and thanked everyone for the great community support for this project. Berkley has been a huge proponent of the partnership between school and community.

During the initial presentation of this project, Roncinske pointed out the many benefits of having a garden at the school that included getting students engaged in a healthy activity, motivating children to eat properly and eat what they grow, providing physical activity in a manner not available inside the classroom, as well as promoting school pride and fun learning opportunities. This project is also designed to combat the obesity issues facing children today.