Despite looming showers on April 22, 2019, nearly 50 volunteers including garden members gathered at the Roosevelt Community Garden for the Land Alliance’s annual Earth Day event. The day also marked the kickoff of the 2019 growing season at the Garden.

Among those who stepped up to help were staff from MSC Industrial Supply Company in Melville, who also donated supplies to help beautify the Garden, and retired teachers from the Teacher’s Transition Network (TTN) who shared their time distributing plants to garden members. Students from the Roosevelt Public Library and the School district’s Project R.E.A.L program also gave a hand to steward the garden and plant annuals in a few of the children’s plots. Before noon, these wonderful helpers had all 49 garden plots and the surrounding areas prepped and cleaned for its upcoming planting season. They were also able to pick some of the fresh herbs, kale and lettuce from the community herb plot and mound gardening area in the center of the garden, which was already “regrowing” from last season’s crop.

The garden, now in its second year, provides healthy, organic food for families. This years’ harvest will include Big boy tomatoes, cauliflower, Georgia collards, callaloo, cabbage, spinach, habanero and scotch bonnet hot peppers, red onions, peppermint and more. Another wonderful addition to the garden is the fresh, organic garlic which was planted last fall and will be ready for harvest in June.

We will continue to partner with local experts and not-for-profit organizations to host more educational workshops and programs to inspire people to try new things at home, grow more food and live healthier, happier lives. On May 14th, Charles Kemnitzer, master gardener from Nassau County Cornell Cooperative Extension, shared his expertise on vegetable gardening. On July 6th, certified holistic health coach, April Diane, will share her knowledge on How Food Affects Your Mental Health. And, later this fall, Garden members will close out the season with a potluck supper, sharing cultural meals prepared from the garden.

The Land Alliance is pleased to have had the opportunity to partner with Nassau County and the Roosevelt community to start this project. We are currently meeting with a local organization to discuss the future management of the garden to ensure that this wonderful legacy continues for years to come.

For more information about the Roosevelt Community Garden, contact the Land Alliance at 516-922-1028 or [email protected].

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers:
Retired teachers from the Teachers Transition Network (TTN)
Staff from MSC Industrial Supply in Melville Roosevelt Public Library
Students from the Roosevelt Union-Free School District
Francis Corse
Richard Kospco
Joel Shaw
Stacy Smith-Brown