At Levittown Public Library, kids are learning unique methods to grow plants, thanks to a hydroponic garden that grows anything from basil to strawberries.
Hydroponic gardening differs from traditional gardening because it does not require soil. Christina Reed, a sustainability intern at the library, "We thought that this is something that could be a great opportunity for students to see and be more interested in the environment and growing." Reed said she has always been involved with community and library gardens and saw the hydroponic garden as an alternative method of growing plants in the library. She first heard of hydroponics several years ago, and became interested around the time of the pandemic.
Now, Reed said, she has several hydroponic gardens at home growing different varieties of plants, including cauliflower, peppers, zucchini, cucumbers, lettuce, strawberries and bok choy.
She applied for a grant in July of last year to the Pollination Project Foundation, an organization that provides micro grants to individuals making positive changes in their communities. This allowed her to receive the funds to start a hydroponic garden at the library, focusing on children's education.
Read more at LI Herald.