Garden Club helps new learning program grow

The dedication ceremony for the unveiling of the “pizza” garden April 23, at Just for Girls in Bradenton, featured a fitting treat — pizza.

The creation of a garden at the girls center was the vision of the Longboat Key Garden Club. Joining in the project was Gary Campbell, of Landscapes in Paradise, who provided the labor and materials to construct the circular garden. Members of the Garden Club donated the plants, lessons and gardening kits, as well as worked with the 20 third-graders involved. Among the Garden Club members participating were Sherry Linhart, Alice Blueglass, Susan Landau, Jackie Salvino and Mary Miller. Mary Hayes, of Just for Girls, provided supervision and assistance as the girls planted their “pizza” garden, which features a variety of vegetables that can be used as pizza toppings.

The garden has tomatoes, peppers, squash and herbs, with a palm tree donated by Grant’s Gardens in the center. The dedication program was rounded out with original poems and letters of thanks from the young gardeners.

The Garden Club plans to continue its involvement with the program by teaching the girls the principles of healthy cooking.