A school garden is an invaluable resource in any school: almost like having an outdoor classroom. Not only is a school garden a powerful tool to educate children in environmental matters, it also has unlimited cross-curriculum potential. Indeed, maths, science, art, health and physical education and social studies are just some of the subjects that can be taught in the great outdoors.

Reconnect with nature

Now more than ever, we need to get children out of the classroom to reconnect with nature. By setting up a school garden, you can show children where food comes from and how to grow it, cook it and experiment with tasting the produce. Its inclusive nature makes it suitable for all ages and abilities to participate, and allows children who may not be academic to shine in practical tasks. Moreover, there are many benefits in terms of mindfulness and mental wellness.

Family Activity

But it’s not just the pupils who can enjoy a school garden. It’s a wonderful way for new parents to get involved and form friendships, as well as connecting the school with the wider community. The project also works hand in hand with initiatives like the Green Schools programme.

Over the next few months, we will be sharing a step-by-step programme

This will help any parents and teachers who may have been thinking of starting a school garden – though, of course, many of these projects can also be carried out at home or on the farm. As well as explaining how to design, plan and implement a school garden, we will also look at composting, rainwater harvesting and building a willow dome or hedge to name but a few.

By starting now, you will be well ready to begin growing this spring. It’s a big undertaking but the payback will be more than worth it. My advice is to start small, but to dream big.

Tips to getting your "groundwork" right

But before you pick up a shovel, here are my tips to getting your “groundwork” right so that you start as you mean to go on.

Step one: After securing both permission from the school principal and the support of other staff, the first step is to set up a school garden committee involving both committed parents and teachers. It would be useful, but not essential, if the chair has some gardening know-how. You will also need a secretary, two people to open a bank account and manage the treasury, as well as somebody to look after PR and funding (this might suit somebody on the parents association, to link in with other fundraising activities like bake sales etc).

Step two: After the initial meeting to select the committee, have another meeting inviting other interested parents and, most importantly, students. I’d recommend setting up a junior committee to include boys and girls from senior classes so that they have a say and allow them to submit their ideas. The more involvement they have from the beginning, the more likely they are to give it their best shot. Once the garden is up and running, a weekly rota is essential for overseeing different tasks like watering and composting. Also involve the caretaker from the start, especially if you plan on growing organically.

Step three: Get the experts in! There is a scheme called Heritage In Schools (www.heritageinschools.ie), which provides a panel of experts who visit schools throughout the country to encourage awareness of the natural and cultural world. Also check out your own local area to see what might be available. There are many groups who would love to help, eg perhaps a group like Men’s Sheds might be interested in preparing the site or making a “buddy bench” for the garden.

Step four: You will need a small budget to cover the initial costs, but be clever. Re-use and recycle, get donations from local suppliers etc.

Step five: Take your time drawing up your plan for the garden. Over the winter months, observe with the children where the prevailing wind is coming from, where is the sunniest/most sheltered spot, are there areas in the garden that get particularly wet etc? A sunny, well-drained site in full view of the community is preferable. You will also need access to water.

Step six: If you have time, do some research by sending a letter home to parents with a questionnaire to find out things like how many families grow their own food, compost etc. At the end of the first year of the project, you will be able to repeat this survey and assess the value of the school garden on changing attitudes and habits in the wider community. CL

Extra information

If you require further information, the following organisations can be an invaluable resource:

Gortbrack Organic Farm: www.gortbrackorganicfarm.com | Irish Seed Savers: www.irishseedsavers.ie | Seed network: www.schoolearthed.ie | GIY: www.giy.ie | Green Schools: www.greenschoolsireland.org

ABOUT MAURA

Maura Sheehy is a flower farmer and florist who runs Maura’s Cottage Flowers near Tralee, Co Kerry. Maura specialises in growing and supplying natural and unique arrangements for weddings, funerals, special occasions and for local businesses, as well as running regular flower-arranging classes at her studio and school garden projects.

For further information, call 087 061 2622 or visit www.maurascottageflowers.com

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