Sniti Kumar

I am Sniti Kumar, a 9th grade Girl Scout Cadette, made backyard vegetable garden this summer to learn and spread awareness about how can one easily and persistently make the vegetable garden in their own backyard and have a healthy life style. This is part of my Girl Scout Silver Award and I have been a proud Girl Scout cadette since grade 1.

I am a high school student at the Academy of Allied Health and Science with a deep interest in healthcare, science, and community impact. Guided by a strong sense of purpose, I’m actively building a future in medicine through hands-on volunteer work, leadership, and a genuine commitment to helping others. From supporting local service projects to assisting in pharmacy operations, she brings empathy, organization, and a collaborative spirit to every opportunity.

With over 200 hours of volunteer service, she have contributed to humanitarian outreach, school-based programs, and civic initiatives through organizations like SEWA International, the National Junior Honor Society, and Girl Scouts.

Lifelong Learner

I believe growth never stops. Every experience—personal or professional—adds a new layer to who I am. I am constantly exploring new skills, ideas, and perspectives to expand my understanding of the world and bring fresh value to everything I do. Whether it’s through formal learning, hands-on projects, or simply staying curious, I embrace change as an opportunity to evolve and inspire those around me.

Service First

I believe true success comes from serving others with sincerity, empathy, and excellence. Putting people first is at the heart of everything I do—whether it’s supporting clients, guiding a team, or contributing to the community. My goal is to create meaningful impact by listening, understanding, and delivering with integrity. Service is not just a value for me—it’s a way of life.

Future Global Healer

I am on a journey to bring healing, hope, and harmony to people across the world. For me, healing goes beyond physical well-being—it includes emotional strength, mental clarity, spiritual balance, and the power of human connection. I believe every small act of compassion and service creates ripples that can uplift families, communities, and ultimately the world. My mission is to keep learning, growing, and contributing so I can help others discover their own light and live healthier, happier, and more fulfilled lives.

Project

Girls Scout - Silver Award Project

Why I Chose This Project

This project is very close to my heart because my family has always believed in the joy and value of growing our own food. Since childhood, my parents have encouraged healthy eating habits, and both my brother and I have experienced how rewarding it feels to harvest vegetables from our own garden. The freshness and taste of homegrown produce simply cannot be matched by store-bought vegetables.
Through this project, I want to share that same joy and passion with my community while raising awareness about the many benefits of gardening, including:

Health & Nutrition – Fresh, chemical-free, nutrient-rich food.
Economic Savings – Growing your own produce reduces grocery costs.
Personal Well-Being – Gardening reduces stress and brings happiness.
Sustainable Living – Supports the environment and promotes eco-friendly habits.

How My Project Connects to Girl Scout Values

The Silver Award project reflects the core values of Girl Scouting by encouraging leadership, service, and responsibility. Through my gardening initiative, I aim to live these values in meaningful ways:

Leadership: Teaching and inspiring others to start their own gardens builds confidence, decision-making, and the ability to guide a community effort.
Community Service: Sharing knowledge about gardening supports healthier lifestyles and strengthens neighborhood bonds.
Environmental Stewardship: Gardening promotes sustainability, reduces waste, and nurtures respect for the Earth.
Self-Sufficiency: Learning to grow your own food empowers individuals and families to be more independent.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Working with my family, peers, and community members mirrors the Girl Scout spirit of cooperation and collective action.
Courage & Confidence: Trying new skills, facing challenges like pests or weather, and staying committed shows resilience and determination.
Making the World a Better Place: By encouraging sustainable habits and mindful living, this project aligns with the Girl Scout mission of creating positive change locally and globally.

Our Mission & Purpose

Our mission is to cultivate more than just vegetables — we aim to grow knowledge, compassion, and a stronger sense of community. This garden is designed to be a living classroom and a valuable resource for families, inspiring healthier and more sustainable lifestyles.
Through this project, we hope to:

Educate Beginners : Provide simple, practical steps to help anyone start their own garden.
Promote Healthy Living : Encourage families to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce for better nutrition.
Build Community Connections : Create opportunities for neighbors to share experiences, ideas, and even harvests.
Support the Environment : Foster eco-friendly practices that protect pollinators, reduce waste, and respect the Earth.
Encourage Self-Sufficiency : Empower individuals and families to grow their own food and rely less on store-bought produce.
Inspire the Next Generation: Teach children the joy of planting seeds, nurturing life, and appreciating nature.
Spread Kindness & Service : Reflect Girl Scout values by giving back and making a positive impact that lasts.

Gardening

SEED TO TABLE

Welcome to Our Garden

Through my research, I discovered that our area falls under Zone 7a, which offers a wide variety of vegetables that thrive in the summer season. This inspired me to experiment with different crops and explore what could grow successfully in our garden.

Vegetables & Fruits I Grew

I cultivated a garden with diverse vegetables, experimenting with flavors, colors, and growth techniques. Here’s a glimpse of what I grew:

Tomatoes: Roma, Better Boy
Zucchini
Cucumbers: Burpee, Kirby
Eggplants: Japanese white/purple, Italian
Bell Peppers: Red, Orange, Green, Yellow
Green Chilies
Bottle Gourd & Bitter Gourd

Beginner’s Gardening Guide for Zone 7a

Gardening Tips for Beginners

Start Small: Begin with a few containers or a small raised bed. It’s easier to manage and less overwhelming
Choose the Right Spot: Pick a location that gets at least 6–8 hours of sunlight daily.
Know Your Soil: Zone 7a has a mix of clay and loamy soil. Add compost or organic matter for better drainage and nutrients.
Water Wisely: Deep watering 2–3 times a week is better than light watering every day. Morning is the best time to water.
Use Mulch: A 2–3 inch layer of mulch keeps soil moist and prevents weeds.
Start Easy Crops: Tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, beans, lettuce, and herbs like basil and mint are forgiving for beginners.
Watch for Pests: Use natural solutions like neem oil or companion planting (e.g., marigolds with tomatoes) instead of chemicals.

Tools You’ll Need

You don’t need fancy equipment — just a few basics:

Gardening Gloves – Protect your hands.

Hand Trowel & Small Shovel – For digging and planting.

Garden Fork or Rake – To loosen soil and remove weeds.

Watering Can or Hose – Gentle watering is key for seedlings.

Buckets/Containers – For carrying soil, compost, or clippings.

Optional– Raised beds, compost bin, or trellis (for climbing plants).

Pruners/Scissors – For trimming plants and harvesting.

Seasonal Planting Calendar for Zone 7a

Early Spring (March – April)

Plant cool-season vegetables: spinach, lettuce, kale, peas, radishes, broccoli, carrots.
Start tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants indoors to transplant later

Late Spring (May – June)

After the last frost (usually around mid-April), plant warm-season crops outdoors: tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, beans, corn, and peppers.
Herbs like basil, parsley, and oregano thrive now.

Summer (July – August)

Continue harvesting warm-season crops..
Plant a second round of cucumbers, beans, or zucchini for a later harvest.
Shade-loving herbs like mint and chives do well in hot weather.

Fall (September – October)

Plant cool-season crops again: lettuce, spinach, kale, radishes, and carrots.
Garlic and onions can be planted in October for next year’s harvest.

Winter (November – February)

Outdoors: Grow hardy greens (with row covers) or cover crops like clover to enrich soil.
Indoors: Grow microgreens, herbs, or start planning your spring garden.

Gardening Tips for a Chemical-Free Garden

Gardening without chemicals helps keep your food, family, and environment safe. Here are some simple and natural ways to care for your plants:

Soil Health

Compost Naturally: Use kitchen scraps (vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells) and yard waste to create rich, organic compost.
Rotate Crops: Plant different vegetables each season to keep the soil healthy and reduce pests.
Mulching: Add straw, leaves, or wood chips to hold moisture, prevent weeds, and enrich the soil.

Pest Control

Companion Planting: Grow marigolds, basil, or mint near vegetables to naturally repel pests.
Hand-Pick Pests: Check leaves daily and remove caterpillars or beetles by hand.
Neem Oil & Soap Spray: Mix mild soap and water or use neem oil as a natural spray against insects.
Attract “Good Bugs”: Ladybugs, bees, and praying mantises help fight harmful pests

Weed Management

Mulch & Cover Crops: Smother weeds by covering soil with mulch or planting cover crops.
Hand Weeding: Pull weeds by hand while they’re small to prevent spreading.
Boiling Water or Vinegar: Pour carefully on driveway or path weeds (not on vegetables).

Sustainable Practices

Save Rainwater: Collect rain in barrels for watering.
Use Native Plants: They thrive with less care and attract pollinators.
Go Organic: Choose organic seeds and seedlings to keep your garden chemical-free from the start.

Gardening naturally may take a little extra patience, but it’s healthier, safer, and more rewarding.

Community Outreach & Education

As part of my Silver Award project, I wanted to spread the joy of gardening beyond my own backyard. One of the most meaningful experiences was presenting at an Adult Day Care Center, where I introduced the benefits of growing vegetables and herbs at home. During the session, I shared:

Simple Gardening Tips

how even small containers or raised beds can produce fresh food.

Health Benefits

how gardening supports physical activity, mental well-being, and better nutrition.

Sustainability Practices

the importance of growing food without chemicals and protecting the environment.

The participants were excited to learn that gardening doesn’t need a large space or expensive tools—it’s about patience, care, and connection with nature. Many shared their own stories of gardening from earlier in their lives, creating a wonderful exchange of experiences across generations.

This outreach not only helped raise awareness but also built a sense of community and inspiration, showing that gardening is for everyone—at any age.

Lessons Learned & Reflections

Working on this gardening project has been a journey of growth—both in the soil and within myself. I learned that gardening is not only about planting seeds, but also about patience, persistence, and problem-solving. Each challenge, whether it was battling pests naturally, learning the right watering schedule, or figuring out which vegetables thrive best in Zone 7a, taught me resilience and creativity.

I also discovered the power of community. Sharing my harvest, knowledge, and experiences with neighbors, children, and seniors showed me how gardening can bring people together and spark conversations across generations. Presenting at the Adult Day Care and with younger kids reminded me that everyone has something to contribute—whether it’s wisdom from years of experience or the curiosity of fresh eyes.

Most importantly, this project deepened my appreciation for the environment. Growing food without chemicals and caring for the soil taught me responsibility—not just for my garden, but for the planet.

This project helped me build confidence as a leader, compassion as a community member, and a lifelong commitment to sustainability.

About

About Me