Bluffton School

Photos

About our Garden

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

The grade 5/6 class started this project. We planted what came with the tower garden (kale, chard, arugula) and kept the water level up, tested for pH, and added minerals (connecting to our Classroom chemistry unit). We originally had the tower garden in our classroom but have since moved it to the front of the school so that other students can see what is growing. Several of the staff were able to use the first crop, but we didn't stay on top of it well and eventually it went to seed, so we started over. This time, we planted a lettuce variety (which has been a hit with everyone), spinach, and we started tomatoes! The tomatoes are growing well, but I don't know that we'll get tomatoes before school is finished but would be great to get anything! This year we had a lot of staff turnover and the tower garden was not used much outside of the grade 5/6 classroom. That being said, we're hoping to have other classes use the tower garden more next year with their units. The grade 5/6 class used the tower garden to directly apply their knowledge of pH and why it is important to keep the soil/water at a specific pH for optimal growth. We also examined the minerals involved and why they were necessary for plant growth. This year was a challenging year in school and due to Covid restrictions, it was difficult to "share" the tower garden

What are your future plans for the school garden?

I will be connecting with our new grade 4 teacher for next year to let her know of the tower garden for use in plant growth and changes unit and the grade 2/3 class is looking at using it next year for some science units.
We hope to keep the tomatoes in the garden growing (I will likely come in each week to check on it, as well as our custodian during the summer).
Next year, we would like to start fresh and choose some new items to grow. Perhaps start the tomatoes much earlier, if we are successful this year.