Clubs get Their Hands Dirty for Earth Day
Photography by Jackie Layton
What do you get when you add dirt, plants, water, 20 energetic people, sun, wind, and pizza? Earth Day 2015 at PVCC’s organic garden hosted by the Horticulture and Environmental Club. This years’ spring planting was a fun mix of students, staff, faculty, and even a few community members excited about getting the garden season off to a good start.
Club member and natural science major Fletcher Gore said, “I like how our garden is making a difference and how it was created for us.” He said he plans to come and work during the summer along with other club members.
Photography by
Jackie Layton
Casey Chen, acting vice president of the club, said, “I really enjoy working in the garden.” She has been a club member for two semesters and plans to continue.
There were plenty of gardening gloves and tools available for everyone to use. After the seedlings were planted, club members watered the garden. Soaker hoses (hoses with many holes) were laid out carefully for later watering.
Horticulture and Environmental Club advisor David Lerman enthusiastically answered questions and guided the group as they worked. He said he hopes to have all eight garden beds full this season. He and several club members planted a tree along the inside fencing.
Started in 2007, PVCC’s Horticulture & Environmental Club was formed to provide students and community members with an organic garden to learn about environmentally-sound horticulture and sustainable practices. Each year, produce from the garden is donated to local food banks in central Virginia.
Though a few community groups also volunteer time to maintain the garden, help from students and other groups is especially needed in the summer months.
Anyone interested in working in the garden (summer or fall) should contact Lerman to schedule (dlerman@pvcc.edu).
