Sydney, Nova Scotia
Please describe your garden, is it raised beds, in the ground, do you have a greenhouse?
We have three raised beds, all used for different plants. One is for veggies, one is a herb garden and the other is an edible flower garden.
What vegetables/fruit do you grow in your garden? What do you have a difficult time growing in your school garden?
cucumbers
beans
peas
lettuce
tomatoes
We had a hard time growing beans and peas but had plenty of tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumbers.
Why did your school decide to add a school garden?
We are trying to get the community more actively involved in our school and we found the best way to do that is to have projects that the parents would like to do with their own children and at their own time. Also, it is a great way to teach many of the science related outcomes to the younger grade, who love hands-on activities.
What classes participate in the garden, what subjects are taught in the garden?
We have taught science in the garden, mainly with grades 1 and 2 so far but all classes are welcome to participate.
Who manages the garden day to day? Who manages the garden over the Summer break?
I manage the garden day to day and parent volunteers pick a week throughout the summer to do their volunteer work.
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?
Anyone who helps with the garden is able to harvest anything that is available at the time. It is a very small garden at this time, so usually, what4ever family volunteered, would pick their harvest on their last day.
Do you have community involvement? Do you have parents and volunteers? Have been able to source other funding to help your garden grow?
Community involvement was very low this year, but we are hoping that it will build once we are able to get the information out to more people and possibly do some advertising for it closer to next June.
What are your future plans for the school garden?
We hope to have a spot laid out in the garden so that it is planted in the ground and is larger. We are also hoping to create a space so that community member who have no garden space at home, can grow a garden on school property.
Any words of encouragement/tips for a school starting a school garden?
It is really important to start small and do not become overly ambitious at once. Take your time and let the garden grow year by year.
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