Samo garden suffers due to lack of water supply

The Samo school garden, once blooming with opportunity, has suffered due to a cut-off in the water supply brought on by the ongoing construction. After becoming aware of the issue, administrators worked to get a hose installed just across from the garden. According to School Garden Coordinator, Lucia Burke, however, the hose was not long enough to reach the garden nearest the Technology Building.The lack of water caused all the plants and greens to die and prevented the Gardening Club from meeting, according to chemistry teacher and Gardening Club adviser, Martha Chacon. The decay of the garden was also inconvenient for summer school teachers who planned to incorporate the garden into their curriculum, Chacon said.The Delians Honor Society has also been affected because they planned to hold gardening events for mandatory Delians hours during lunch. “We started scheduling Delians gardening events during lunch for 20 to 30 minute time slots because we got complaints from Delians who were unable to come after school because of sports and other commitments,” senior and Delians co-president Ilana Greenberg said. The garden was also plagued with a recent bee infestation that required closure of the garden and the stairs adjacent the green house.Despite these forks in the road, Burke said the water is back and she is looking forward to a rebirth."In a couple of months, it is going to be beautiful and flowery again," Burke said.In the meantime, the Gardening Club and Delians will work in coalition to tend to the budding garden.Once there is a resurgence of life, the Gardening Club will continue its tradition of selling lettuces and herbs to faculty and staff.Last year, the Gardening Club rejoiced in two harvests and sold about 40 dollars worth of greens, according to Chacon. The money from these sales, according to Burke, goes back to the garden for purchasing soil, fertilizers and seeds.“[Students] should really join the gardening club,” English teacher and former Gardening Club co-adviser Justine Sorensen said. “You actually get to do some planting and transplanting, and get to see the fruits of your labor. You watch the plant go from this tiny seedling to something actually edible. It's really a great experience.” Chelsea BrandweinManaging Editorcbrandwein@thesamohi.com