7 Key Elements TO Starting a school veggie patch!
Jul 18, 2015
7 Key Elements TO Starting a school veggie patch!
The Backyard farmer
7 Key ELEMENTS
LOCATION SOIL
WATER PLANTS
Funds People
Fun
Location
Sunlight
Top of Mind
Kids will be kids“ The garden is an asset
it is a sales tool for the school ”
SOILYou are growing soil first
Your garden doesn’t have to be raised beds
Pots, pots and more pots
“ Look at ways in which you can collect food scraps
start a no dig garden ”
Water
most valuable resource
look at creative ways to capture water
soil structure / wicking beds
“ Speak to your local water body they can help you with resources
some also offer grants ”
PLANTS
Not expensive
Plant selection
Timing / schedule (gardenate)
“Ask local nurseries for stock
shrinkage ”
$$$ FUNDS $$$
Apply for Grants
Ask local Businesses
Fund raising ideas
“ Nothing is sustainable unless
it makes money ”
PeopleWho is responsible (ownership)
Parents > Teachers > Students
Working bees
Community
Goal setting…
“ Must have a common vision
and timeline in place ”
FUN
How do you make it fun…ENERGY and PASSION
“ i’ve yet to met an unhappy gardener ”
4 activitiesActivity 1.
The scavenger hunt.
Activity 2. Lifecycle of a plant.
Activity 3. Walled garden
Activity 4. Making compost doe
IDEAs for activities
“ Need not be expensive ”
Geography Draw a map of the school
The origin of plants
maths Capturing water and measuring
resultsGermination ratios
History The origin of plants
Science Acid testspollination
RESOURCESorganicschools.com.au
kitchengardenfoundation.org.au
edibleschoolyard.org
schoolsgardenawards.org.au