Download pdf - Success with School Gardens: Appendix A - School Gardening Program Checklist

8/9/2019 Success with School Gardens: Appendix A - School Gardening Program Checklist

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Part 3

A . School Gardening Program Checkl ist

B . School and Desert Gardening References

C. Seed and Other Suppl iers

D . Educational and Technical Assistance

E . Grants and Funding Sources

F. Plan t i ng Calendar s

G. Diagnosing Plant Problems

Appendices


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k Appendix A

Ga rden Program Ma nage ment

Develop a School Gardening Proposal

t Identify potential site(s)

t Discuss program objectives

t Identify leaders and participants

t Outline program requirements (activities, training, tools, supplies),both start-up and ongoing

t Prepare a budget

t Identify potential donors for both skilled labor and materials

Form a Garde ning Committee

t Include faculty, parents, administrators and students

t Include members with a variety of skills, not just gardening

t Develop a vision of what the garden and the garden program willbe in five years

t Establish program goals and a budget for the year

t Decide who participates and how

t Ensure garden operational needs (watering, weeding, feeding, class

scheduling, tool and system repair) are mett Create an annual program to provide focus for class activities,

fund raising and special events

t Establish rules of garden etiquette and behavior management

t Enlist and train classroom volunteers

t Write grants and conduct fund raising

t Secure garden supplies

School Gardening Program Checklist


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uc c ess c o o a r ens

Cultivate Administration and Community Support

t Make the garden a showcase; keep it neat, attractive andinteresting

t Know the garden program and discuss it with enthusiasm

t Keep your administrator and sponsors well-informed

t Invite district personnel and local media to garden events

t Include the maintenance staff

t Credit sponsors in the school newsletter and on signs in the garden

t Include the garden in the schools annual report and use it as apromotional tool

t Know your organizations tax status for donors

t Provide awards or recognition for your volunteers

Ga rde n Start-up and Ma intenance

Select a Site that has:

t Full sunlight (prefer morning to mid-afternoon) for 6-8 hoursminimum daily

t Good drainage (Test by digging a hole and filling it with water.After it drains, refill. It should drain at least one inch per hour.)

t Level ground

t Healthy, workable soil (Review history of property to identifyany potential contaminants. Conduct soil test if necessary. Lotsof weeds or grass is a sign, at least, of adequate soil.)

t Easy access to water

t Easy access for classrooms

t A highly visible location to showcase program and minimize

potential for vandalism. However, avoid sites that have beenused previously as high-traffic areas.

t A nearby shady area for group discussion and work

t Long-term potential as the garden site (Review future plans forschool grounds to ensure at least a three-year commitment togarden location.)

t Potential for expansion as the project grows

t Existing schoolyard fencing around perimeter


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c oo ar en ng rogram ec s

Design a nd Develop the Site

t Think small, beautiful and manageable for first attempt

t Clean the site of debris

t Remove weeds and kill grass

t Design garden on paper

t Lay out planting beds and walkways

t Prepare soil

t Install watering system

t Add other improvements (fencing, compost bin/heap, tool shed)as time and funding permit

Planting Time

t Check the Planting Calendars (Appendix F) to learn what to plantwhen

t Prepare soil 2-3 weeks before planting by working in organic

matter, soil amendments and fertilizerst Time your plantings so that you can harvest while school is in

session, avoiding the hottest months

t Create shade and conserve space by trellising plants

t Consider using taller plants for shade and natural trellises

t Group plants with similar water, fertilizer or light needs

t Mark or record what and where you planted

t Mulch to minimize evaporation and weeds

t Use deep watering techniques

t Check your garden often for weeds, over- or underwatering, insect

or other problems, and to capture your successest Keep records to help determine what worked and what didnt to

help plan the next season

t Compost your weeds, grass clippings and cafeteria peelings

t Consider expanding to cut flowers and other specialty gardeningas your confidence builds

t Relax and enjoy. Gardening is therapeutic!


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Weathering the Summer

t Consider R&R (rest and rejuvenation) for the garden by leavingit fallow or planting a soil-building cover crop

t Handle pests (weeds, disease or nematodes) by solarizing soilunder plastic for several weeks

t Schedule staff, parent or student volunteers to water, weed andcare for garden if still in production

t Have summer school, recreation program, maintenance staff orother volunteers adopt garden

t Use plants that withstand the summer heat and that can beharvested when school resumes