Romeo Public School

About our Garden

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

We have 2 self watering container gardens and we have 2 in the ground amongst our pollinator garden with a brick border.

What grade levels worked in the garden and did you or another teacher link some of your curriculum outcomes to the garden?

Kindergarten and Eco Club. We discussed science, math, and literacy. Kindergarten was able to discuss the curriculum strand Belonging and Contributing

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

This year we were successful with tomato, cucumber, and lettuce and radishes as well as some herbs.
We had some success with broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.
We did not have success with our blueberry bush.

Why did your school decide to add a school garden?

To support our community and educate our students.

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

Kindergarten and Eco Club. We discussed science, math, and literacy. Kindergarten was able to discuss the curriculum strand Belonging and Contributing

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

The Eco and Garden Club managed the garden during the school year. Family volunteers supported during the summer.

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?

Produce was collected by the families who supported during the summer as well as some of the homeless individuals who live in our community.

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

Parent Volunteers.

What are your future plans for the school garden?

To continue to plant and plan crops with students and broaden the plants that we are successful with. We would like to start our own seeds.

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

Don't be afraid to make mistakes and get messy. Learn with the students, you do not need to be a gardener already. An unsuccessful harvest is still a learning experience.