Janesville, New Brunswick
Please describe your garden, is it raised beds, in the ground, do you have a greenhouse?
We have raised beds. We created a pop bottle green house as well. We run an after school club from 3-5 every Tuesday called Science Buddies. We make salsa every year to sell as a fundraiser for our club. We need upgrades to our beds and green house. This year we would like to develop a self watering garden by using water sensors. We have 20 students who attend.
What vegetables/fruit do you grow in your garden? What do you have a difficult time growing in your school garden?
We grow tomatoes, cilantro, peppers, corn, peas. Next year we plan on growing ground cherries that can be harvested in the Fall when the students return.
Why did your school decide to add a school garden?
We added a school garden as part of our Science Buddies to help students understand gardening and food sources. We also wanted students to learn about being resilient , learning how to problem solve and learning the science of gardening.
What classes participate in the garden, what subjects are taught in the garden?
In the garden we talk science, math, language arts, native studies, french.
Who manages the garden day to day? Who manages the garden over the Summer break?
Connie Ellis is the teacher that is managing the garden. In the summer we set up a webpage with a schedule for students and parents to sign up.
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?
We harvest tomatoes, cilantro, onions, peppers and we cut them up to make salsa. We sell our salsa at our school Christmas craft and bake fair. Each student takes home a bottle to share with their family.
Do you have community involvement? Do you have parents and volunteers? Have been able to source other funding to help your garden grow?
We need more community support. We would like to expand to grow pumpkins for our students.
What are your future plans for the school garden?
Our future plans include a self watering system, a in ground pumpkin patch and perhaps a bee hive.
Any words of encouragement/tips for a school starting a school garden?
Enjoy it. Even if it fails it is a learning experience. Students love to learn and watch something they are planting grow. Most students start gardens at home after doing one at school. You don't have to start big, container gardens are great too!
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