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COEJL PROGRAM BANK
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Garden Project
Ellen Bernstein
ellen.bernstein@verizon.net
Source: Let the Earth Teach You Torah
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Garden Project At-a-Glance
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"Grow! Grow!" say the angels to each blade of grass. Experience nature by being directly involved in the process of growing things. Tips for growing herbs, flowers, and fruits.
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| Audience:
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Early Childhood
Ages 5-7
Ages 8-10
Adults
Family/Community
Seniors
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| Facility:
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Community Center
Outdoors (Camp)
Religious/Day School
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| Program Type:
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Other
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| Issues:
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Air/Water/Trees
Shmittah/Land Use/Agriculture
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| Holiday:
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Tu B'Shevat (New Year of the Trees)
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Description
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Wherever we live, even in the cities, we can be in touch with nature and the seasons. This project will enable participants to experience nature by being directly involved in the process of growing things. Jewish tradition tells us when to plant certain crops, when to harvest them, and what their significance is (for the land of Israel). We also learn to refrain from harvesting all our crops; we leave the produce in the corners of our fields for those who have none.
PREPARATION
You will need a place to garden: a sunny windowsill, small planting beds along a sidewalk or building, a garden plot, or containers on a patio or roof. Alternatively, you may decide to get involved in a garden project that is already established, such as a community garden or an interfaith group that raises food for the local soup kitchen. Participants can also take these ideas home and begin their own gardens. Old buckets and coffee cans work well to reuse for potting if holes are poked in the bottom for drainage.
PROCEDURE
1. Put gravel in bottom of containers to help drain water.
2. Cover gravel and fill container with potting soil.
3. Use a spoon or hand tool to dig holes for the seeds.
4. Gently place seeds into holes, following specific directions for each type of plant.
5. Cover the seeds with soil and gently water the new seedlings.
You may want to share some of your harvest with soup kitchens, senior centers, food banks, or other similar services and organizations. You will want to use your harvest to expand your celebration of several holidays, such as Passover and Sukkot.
Tu B'Shvat
At Tu B'Shvat it is customary to plant parsley to harvest for the Passover seder plate.
Parsley can be easily grown on a windowsill in recycled containers such as glass jars, cans or mugs. Fill the jar with a few small planting stones and some potting soil. Then plant some parsley seeds from a garden store. Don't forget to keep your planter in a sunny window and water it every day or two.
Some people enjoy planting their own horseradish for the seder plate as well.
Check with a garden supply store to find out how long it takes to grow in your area, and whether you can plant it outside. Horseradish will grow in indoor containers, too.
Tu B'Shvat is also an ideal time to start seeds in your house for spring vegetables and flowers.
Tip: Create your own "Tree Tzedakah Box" out of recycled containers such as glass jars, cans or toilet tissue rolls to collect change to purchase seeds or trees.
WISDOM OF OUR FATHERS
Each blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, "Grow, grow." - Talmud
Read the above quote about angels and lead a guided mediation giving warmth and life to the seeds.
Lead a discussion on topics including: Resources used to transport and grow food, Jewish vegetarianism, ancient Hebraic agriculture, modern Israeli agriculture
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Materials Needed
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A place to garden, containers, soil, gravel, seeds.
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Benchmarks
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Scientific knowledge of plants, Jewish holiday cycle, intellectual discussion, hands-on learning.
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Preparation Time
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Gather containers, soil, gravel, and seeds. 1 hour.
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Activity Time
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Intro to Judaism and Planting 10 min.
Planting 15 min.
Meditation and discussion 20 min.
The discussion times are flexible depending on the age and attention span of your audience.
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Attached Files
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Comments
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This program added on 2002-12-23.
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Programs placed on the Jewish Environmental Educator's Program Bank are
solely the property of the program submitter. COEJL has no right or
interest in the posted programs and is making no representations or
warranties concerning same. All inquiries concerning programs should be
forwarded directly to the program submitter.
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