Mushy mud and slimy worms didn't faze young Kaylynn Tucker.
She had no problem getting down and dirty Saturday to plant strawberries, tomatoes, lemon basil and beans for “Join Hands Day.”
It's a joint effort of Woodmen of the World's Alpha Lodge and the Ruth K. Solomon Girls Center, a program of Heartland Family Service.
“Oooh, look at that worm,” said Kaylynn, pointing to the soil where she had just planted lettuce. “It's OK. We put the worms in there because they help the plants grow.”
Kaylynn, 9, knows what she's talking about when it comes to gardening.
This is her second time planting vegetables at the Solomon Girls Center's community garden near 30th and Mary Streets.
“This is a lot of fun,” she said.
Children and adults spent the morning and afternoon planting a variety of fruits, vegetables, spices and flowers in the garden.
Lodge member Christi Speck worked diligently with her husband and two daughters to plant watermelon.
“This is a great way for our kids to see how we give back to our community,” she said.
The Solomon Girls Center provides an after-school program and summer camp for girls.
Tammy Green, the director, said the girls learn the essentials of gardening, including how to weed and fertilize.
“I like to help take care of them,” Sara Clark, 7, said of the plants. She's a member of the Solomon Girls Center.
“We have to help give them enough sunshine,” Sara said.
Green said the girls will care for the flowers and vegetables all summer. In the fall they'll pick the vegetables and learn how to can and freeze them for use in the winter.
“This is huge for our community,” she said. “Northeast Omaha is an area that is considered to have limited access to fresh fruits and veggies. These fruits and vegetables go home with the girls or go to people in the community.”
Green said last year, which was the center's first year planting a community garden, was a success. She said each girl took home three bags of fresh vegetables.
“It's an awesome opportunity for us to come together in our neighborhood,” she said.
“You always hear about things that are not going well in north Omaha, but this shows that there are great things going on, too.”
Contact the writer:
444-1336, leia.mendoza@owh.com
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