M.E.Callaghan Intermediate

About our Garden

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

We used the 500 dollar grant to purchase 2 indoor growing units and a digital time to allow the lights to switch on and off for our needs. We are using these growing units to germinate seeds that we have harvested from last year's crop, and to help maintain and propagate many varieties of house plants. My goal for having this unit is to all students to see the full process of life, even in the wintertime. We have 3 terms in a school year, and with our weather we are not always able to be outside to participate in hands on learning with our plants. Now with these lights, we are able to grow everything inside our building in the off season.

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

In our indoor garden we have many house plants that we are harvesting seeds and propagating new plants. However, now that we have these light gardens we have carrots, avocado, lemon, pumpkins, beans, corn, potatoes, lettuce, and strawberries growing inside my classroom. We will be expanding and adding more overtime as our confidence improves.

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

I teach 3 grade 8 exploratory courses that revolve around our school garden and lighting. I also teach resource classes who interact with the plants and garden daily. We also invite all science classes from grades 7-9 to visit and interact.

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

Myself, Katie Ramsay and Heather Doucette are the main caretakers of the gardens. However, multiple staff also help us over see the gardens in the summer. It takes a village to keep our projects going.

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?

This year we were able to produce enough beans, potatoes, and peppers to exhibit them in the local Prince County Exhibition under Domestic Sciences. We were also able to harvest carrots and potatoes this fall and cook them for our lunch.

What are your future plans for the school garden?

My future plans are not completely decided. We spent most of last year developing a curriculum for our garden, but we used mostly indoor plants. This is our first year trying to grow vegetables inside from start to finish.

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

I am avid gardener, and so is my family and many staff in our building. I would suggest starting small because everything seems to grow bigger than you think.