With the support of a generous grant from Pure Farmland, the help of many community members, and a selection of organic heirloom seeds, The Subversive Gardener helped build a school garden that gives each classroom its own dedicated learning space.

At PS18, the garden has become an outdoor classroom where students can connect their curriculum to hands-on, real-world learning. Principal Michael Lee has noted the impact of giving students the opportunity to see classroom lessons come to life through planting, observation, and care.

The garden has also created opportunities to explore practical urban gardening challenges, from selecting plants that can thrive in the shade of surrounding tall buildings to understanding how food waste can be transformed into compost. Through these experiences, students learn not only how plants grow, but how communities can work together to support healthier food systems, richer soil, and more resilient urban environments.