Rooftop Garden Club planted new seeds for the new year with its first meeting of the year on Friday, Aug. 22 in room 3601. Over ten members learned how to grow plants like carrots, broccoli and cabbage.
Freshman and new member Kirsten Damiani came to the club meeting because of her interest in gardening. Damiani became interested in gardening because she has her own garden that she wants to learn how to take care of.
“My mom has this huge garden in our backyard, and I don’t think she ever takes care of it,” Damiani said. “I think most of the plants are dying. I saw it before school and was like ‘I should take care of it.’ Then I looked at the club list, saw the [Rooftop] Gardening Club and thought maybe I could learn how to garden.”
Damiani plans to come to the club again. She said she’s looking forward to learning more and would eventually like to be able to grow plants such as mint and chives.
“The club is [going to be] really fun,” Damiani said. “[They’re] so inclusive here.”
Senior and Rooftop Garden Club president David Fang joined Rooftop Garden Club his freshman year. Fang became vice president during his junior year.
“It was a wonderful opportunity for me to reconnect with nature and have a break from the business of school life during Cardinal Hour,” Fang said. “Also, it’s just fun. I find gardening really enjoyable.”
Last year, Rooftop Garden Club collaborated with groups like the school rock band, Tiger and the Lilies, and Pottery Club. This year, they’re hoping to collaborate with more clubs and get more students around Bellaire interested in gardening.
“This meeting was just a general interest meeting where we were able to get freshmen to join our club,” Fang said. “Generally for our weekly meetings, we have some time where members can pull weeds, water plants and just add some new seeds. And then from time to time, we do collaborations.”
In the spring semester, Rooftop Garden Club is planning to take a field trip to HISD’s Mykawa farm. The field trip will include a tour of their facilities and learning more about how HISD runs its school lunch program.
To learn more about Rooftop Garden Club’s future meetings, join their Remind @rooftop26 and follow them on Instagram @rooftopgardenclub.
