MANITOUWADGE HIGH SCHOOL

About our Garden

Please describe your garden, is it raised beds, in the ground, do you have a greenhouse?

We used the funds that we were given to create a raised garden bed around an existing greenhouse. We did a "no dig" layered lasagna type approach in the beds, with a heavy straw mulch layer to cut down on weeds and help retain water.

What vegetables/fruit do you grow in your garden? What do you have a difficult time growing in your school garden?

We tried a wide variety of vegetables in our garden. Being in zone 2, our growing season is very short. We chose hardy varieties of vegetables, and tried to time our planting so that we would be able to harvest when we were back together in September. We did very well with our zucchinis, onions, carrots, fennel, kohlrabi, parsley, lemon balm, bok choy, lettuce, and beans. Unfortunately, our kale and cabbages were eaten by bugs.

Why did your school decide to add a school garden?

We tried a wide variety of vegetables in our garden. Being in zone 2, our growing season is very short. We chose hardy varieties of vegetables, and tried to time our planting so that we would be able to harvest when we were back together in September. We did very well with our zucchinis, onions, carrots, fennel, kohlrabi, parsley, lemon balm, bok choy, lettuce, and beans. Unfortunately, our kale and cabbages were eaten by bugs.

What classes participate in the garden, what subjects are taught in the garden?

There were many individual volunteers who expressed interest in helping out. As we worked, we talked about the layering methods and why it was beneficial for the Earth. We also talked about the benefits of "no dig" and mulching with straw. In my Families in Canada class, we learned about gardening and how it is beneficial it is for people, not just for physical health, but also for learning and mental health as well. There were many trials and errors, many problems to be solved, and many successes to celebrate.

Who manages the garden day to day? Who manages the garden over the Summer break?

It has become habit for me to check on the garden daily to see what needs to be done. There are students who check in at lunchtime, and some who stayed afterschool to work. My classes have also been willing to head out during school hours to plant/harvest as needed. During the summer, myself, April Robinson (guidance) and our custodians have been checking in and tending to the garden's needs.

What do you do with the harvest from your garden? Do you have a harvest celebration? Do you use it in the cafeteria, or culinary classes? Do you donate some of the produce?

Our garden harvests have been used in our school, some of the food was added to our Breakfast Club in the morning. We have also done some baking and cooking with the produce. We made zucchini cookies, muffins, and brownies. The Indigenous Youth Group in our school also made a traditional ruffed grouse soup to serve our students at lunch during Orange Shirt Day.

Do you have community involvement? Do you have parents and volunteers? Have been able to source other funding to help your garden grow?

There is no other community involvement at this time, nor are there any parents/volunteers outside the school.

What are your future plans for the school garden?

Our future plans for the school garden is to keep it growing for many years to come. We harvested some of the seeds to have available for next year, and some of the plants we left to flower and hopefully re-seed themselves for next year.

Any words of encouragement/tips for a school starting a school garden?

My only tip for a school garden is to look into no-dig. It is much less labour intensive and the mulch makes life so much easier as you are not as overwhelmed by weeding. Also, try planting kohrabi. My students were very skeptical about eating it, but in the end conceded that it was actually good. A new vegetable accepted!