School gardens: first steps
Burpee Edible Gardening Team Members
Teachers across the country are getting psyched about school vegetable gardens! They see the value, and the endless curriculum and hands-on possibilities they present for students of all ages and abilities. We at Burpee Home Gardens can attest to that: We were overwhelmed with the responses to our "I Can Grow" Youth Garden Award. And we look forward to making a school garden dream a reality for five lucky organizations this spring.
But for everyone else just scratching the surface with their own school or community garden, the big question is, “Where do I begin?” We tuned into this video suggested by the folks at Garden Rant. In it, Garden and Nutrition Educator Chrissa Carlson at Baltimore's Hampstead Hill Academy shares her tips on how to start a school gardening program. Some of her steps include…
Starting small. A few containers or raised beds are much more manageable and cost effective the first year out.
Involve the kids in planning. The students will have a vested interest in the garden’s success if they can help plan.
Manage expectations. You probably won’t get school-wide support the first year. Just be sure you are clear about responsibilities on maintenance.
Have a grand vision. A garden, by nature, is something to grow and build on. Once others see the value of a successful, smaller garden, they’ll be open to expansion, which could mean added dollars and support.
If you’re interested in beginning a school or community garden, share the video “Starting A School Garden” by the Home and Garden Information Center at the University of Maryland Extension with your colleagues.
Get those plans in action, and share your experiences with us!