collecting information to propose a school garden

[Marie TBJ]

Hi! My kids private  school is doing some renovations/cleanup and I would love to strongly suggest they begin a school garden. I have promised some research to the principal before an early June clean-up day. (help!?)

There is a north south pointing, east facing turtle run (sans turtle:retired) that maybe could be a great raised garden bed? It will likely be torn down soon unless we make a case for another use. This garden bed, as I'd like to imagine it,  has a brick building for its long west side, and about 18" of barrier built of very very sturdily posted and attached lumber slats, 2x6's. I think.

I'm sure you'd have to line the thing, and I would hate to think of something wet leeching into the classroom wall, but does this sound worth saving to you? Also re timing...we obviously arent going to plant anytime soon...could there be the beginnings of some kind of composting that could be presented to the kids so they start at the beginning, too? Thank you for any feedback! Of course,I would love to give the principal  any suggestions for grants, curricula, examples, case studies etc! I am culling this site now. We are located in Northwest Mesa.

[Laragene Williams]

Just wanted to encourage your efforts! The garden at our school provides more excitement to the children than I ever imagined! It is so worth the effort! We started out worm composting, it turned out to be a quick and easy way for the children to get excited both about decomposition and insects! It has been very easy to manage and the children love saving their scraps from lunch to add to the compost. This year we will begin hot composting. I have found the garden not only inspires the children, it gives me a place to go take a breath and remember what's important, and it has inspired many families over the last three years to try their hand at it at home.
The first real family gathering after the orientation is a garden work day, friends, grandparents, children, siblings all come and bring part...soil, plants, compost, seeds, tools, etc.....It has been a great way to work together and get to know each other before the year begins. I usually post pictures of the event and we photograph the garden's growth throughout the years. Gardening turns into science, math, language, culture, cooking, song, grace and courtesy, interconnected nature of all things, and builds competent lifelong stewards of our environment...I'm a fan. I wish you the best of luck! Enjoy every minute. The children in my class are 3-6 years old.

[Marie TBJ]

so true. It is very reassuring to remember my kids get even more a kick out of "just" radishes than i do, so here's to starting simple and experimenting. Isn't a radish a wonderful invitation to gardening?

[Jehnifer Niklas]

Ideally, a good veggie bed gets at least 8 full hours of sun. Can you ask one of the teachers to monitor it one day to see the direct exposure? And yes, it is a little late for the spring and summer garden to be started but, no reason you cannot prep and compost for the fall! I am not entirely sure on the best route to the retrofitting of this enclosure to become a functioning planter. However, I am sure someone on here does. Do not get discouraged if the ex turtle exclosure does not work out. We had to identify 3 places at ASU Poly before being granted permission to cultivate. At the very least plan to salvage the material if possible and build a raised bed elsewhere.

Contact the City of Mesa, or who ever manages the school's waste, they are garenteed to have a composting program. Aka a repurposed trash bin that can be delivered to the school for the purpose of a composting program. Kids can readily be trained to seperate their fruit and veggie scraps and in the fall, each class can take turns "tending" the pile. (Turning, burring, watering) Idealy, this practice is carried out once a week for fast acting compost.

You will also have to identify a teacher(s) to champion the program, perhaps the science instructor? Growing plants practcailly writes it's own curriculum. They can delve into plant physiology, soil ecology and nutrition! Good luck! Way to seize the spade. =)

[Marie TBJ]

Many thanks both Jenifer and Chris! It occurs to me, if summer is compost season especially, would people have a gardening purpose for fill dirt? Maybe some of that excess fill dirt can get sent away with gardeners, and help us import some more wisdom and enthusiasm from garden-minded folks like you? Dirt, turtle runs and "Clean up day" - Thanks for your feedback on the possibilities!
So the rule of thumb is, I need about 8 hours of sun, even in winter?