making a school garden: book recs? websites?

[kangamitroo]

at home, my spouse does all of the garden planning--and most of the planting, because i have a far-from-green thumb. however, i would love to do gardening with my future students (primary school, ages 5-7). i'd like a simple book that could help me with planning, especially the issues around how much space is reasonable, best use of space (to make it most rewarding for the children), what tasks might i need to do alone/what can be delegated, caring for the garden when school is closed.

i can ask my spouse for tips on not killing things, but i'd like to become more self-sufficient--to at least appear to be a leader in the classroom garden!

i want to be informed when i ask my administrator about doing this. thanks in advance!

[janasmama]

Building a school garden is an awesome thing to be doing! We all know that it is a valuable learning tool for kids. And gardens are a lot of work at times. I would look to parent volunteers as your number one. All you will need is a couple of them.

At the school my children go to, one man built a garden and it has grown so large that they have an annual plant sale and raise thousands of dollars...they were even able to purchase a green house! Of course people have helped along the way but he has dedicated tons of time to the effort over a period of years.

Another school down the way has some newer garden areas and they do it a smaller scale. Just a few straight rows between the classrooms and the blacktop with sunflowers and zucchini planted in them. The 5-7 year olds grow a pea tee pee that they can also play in. It is simple but serves a very good purpose and shows the initiative for growth and change.

In your case, I would start with something like the pea tee pee in the spring. Your plan might be to just mulch a small area through the winter to have it prepared by the time spring comes for seed planting. Of course you would integrate this into your lesson theme. The amount of time that it takes for each process also helps kids recognize the value of time and patience. For this your principal shouldn't have a quarrel and from here a garden can grow as more people see it, talk about it and hopefully even help out.

Does your city offer a leaf drop off program? Check and see if you don't know....leaves are like gold when preparing gardening plots from bare ground.

[rhianna813]

We have a very successful school garden project in our town. I volunteered once through my company when we did a corporate volunteer day.

I am hoping they get one started at my son's school, someday. I've emailed the principal :-)

Here is their website... maybe there's info that might help you!

http://www.efn.org/~sgp/

Rhianna

[kangamitroo]

Rhianna & Janasmama, thanks for the suggestions.