Organic Vegetable Gardening Club

We grow a variety of delicious organic vegetables, get out into nature and perform some excellent community service. Growing vegetables organically helps us to become self-sustaining without the use of unhealthy chemicals. We plan a portion of a large garden, plant from seed and seedlings, and grow a variety of organic vegetables. In the process, we also learn how to protect the garden from detrimental insects. After we harvest the vegetables, we sell our produce at a local Farmer’s Market and donate to several elderly homes around Long Island.

The Organic Vegetable Gardening Club meets weekly during the school year and in the summer. We plan the garden layout, purchase seeds, care for the garden, weed, and pick tasty vegetables, eg. tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, carrots, corn, asparagus, zucchini, eggplants, onions, leeks, etc. as well as herbs and spices, eg. basil, oregano, dill, lavender, rosemary, parsley etc. We also recruit additional students to join the club, and we give tours of the garden.

Our Garden is hosted on the former Brambletye farm that is now owned by the Della Pietra family. The Della Pietra family has replaced the garden’s existing soil with two to three feet of organic blend. Shovels, hoes, gloves, homemade signs, etc are provided.

For more information, please email: info@liyouthdevelopment.org.

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  • Ava Della Pietra, President and Co-Founder

    Ava is a junior at Ward Melville High School, and she is excited to start an Organic Vegetable Gardening Club. Her garden began by planting a container of tomatoes with her Brownie troop while in elementary school. Since then, it has grown into a large organic vegetable garden approximately 90' x 100' with 32 garden beds for vegetables and a circular herb garden bed. When not working on her studies, Ava spends most of her time as a professional singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and performer. In addition to her love for music, theater and gardening, Ava also enjoys writing, spending time with friends and family, making crafts, hiking, surfing, playing tennis and helping others.

  • James Tucker, President and Co-Founder

    James is a rising Senior at WMHS. James is passionate about fitness, healthy eating, music, and math. He is a member of the WMHS track and cross country teams, French Honor Society, and History Club. He is a member of Tri-M Honor Society and Ward Melville Chamber Orchestra, performing viola. He is also an accomplished pianist who has studied classical piano for 11 years, achieving NYSSMA level 6 when he was 12 years old. James is excited to grow organic fruits and vegetables for the health of our community. James intends to major in mathematics with a possible career in education or medicine.