Listowel District Public Secondary School

About our Garden

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

We are in the process of putting up a greenhouse.

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

Grade 9 green industries, grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 culinary arts classes, grade 9 science classes, special education classes. The eco club will also participate.

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

We will be growing salad greens and other fresh vegetables to use in the school's culinary classes.

Why did your school decide to add a school garden?

We added a grade 9 horticulture course to the curriculum. It does not run every semester.

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

Grade 9 green industries, grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 culinary arts classes, grade 9 science classes, special education classes. The eco club will also participate.

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

There will be a volunteer teacher leader. The greenhouse will be empty over the summer break.

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?

It will be used in culinary classes and in the school's snack program.

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

We have received several other grants, and have pooled them together to purchase the greenhouse kit. Students from the construction classes will be involved in putting it together on the chosen site.

What are your future plans for the school garden?

We hope to give many students the opportunity to learn how plants grow, to gain a love of growing food, and to benefit from the nutrition provided by fresh vegetables in the culinary classes and snack program.