MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood School District is partnering with re:Yard and the Seth Boyden Demonstration School green team on Saturday, April 2, from 9 to 11 a.m. to present a hands-on drip-irrigation demonstration event at Seth Boyden’s school garden, Strawberry Fields. This event is free and open to the public. To jumpstart sustainable gardening, the event will include a free drawing for a Wizard Dueling Tumbler backyard composter.
Drip irrigation is one of the most sustainable ways to irrigate a food garden. Using special drip emitters, water is dropped right at the roots of the plant without being lost to evaporation or runoff. Drip irrigation is also easy to install and affordable. For this event, volunteers will install the new irrigation system with guidance from experienced installers.
“I am excited to see what drip irrigation can do for Strawberry Fields,” said Maggie Touhy, long-time head gardener at Seth Boyden Elementary School and a member of the Seth Boyden green team.
Under the guidance of the school district green team, Seth Boyden has formed a school green team called “Sustainable Seth Boyden” comprised of students, staff and parents. The group is working to raise awareness and make the school more sustainable by doing a variety of projects, from recycling to gardening to improved air-quality awareness. These projects are not just good for the planet — they are invaluable educational opportunities for the students and the Seth Boyden community. The team hopes to achieve Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification. In addition to this drip-irrigation event, a green fair is being planned for April 20 and a roll out of activities for Earth Day.