Munch and Crunch Garden: Raised Bed Edible Garden - Kids Grow Garden

Contents• Student outcomes and background notes

• Steps and learning opportunities

• Waterwise gardening

• Munch and Crunch Garden sample design

• Tips and suggestions

• Munch and Crunch Garden yearly planner

• Planting guide for easy grow vegetables

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Munch and Crunch Garden

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KidsGrow

Munch and crunch garden

Suggested age 9-10 years

Stage 2 (NSW) Suite 2/Level 3 (QLD) Level 3 (VIC) Middle Childhood (WA) Standard 2 (SA/TAS) Later childhood (ACTBand 2 (NT)

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Few things can be quite as satisfying as growing your own vegetables. Children love to pick and eat them straight from the garden, after just a quick wash under the tap. They learn that fresh food tastes great and that hard work and patience achieves results. Eating food grown locally and in season not only has personal health and nutritional benefits but also reduces pollution and other costs caused by transportation and refrigeration.

For growing vegetables in the school setting, raised garden beds provide manybenefits and are much easier to manage. And for even easier management a no-dig garden is just that - a garden bed made up of layers of organic materials that does not require back-breaking digging and tilling! It can go almost anywhere – on a section of existing garden, lawn, rocky ground or even concrete!

Good soil preparation is essential for growing quality vegetables and students can actively participate in soil improvement activities through composting as part of sustainable waste management in the school.

Composting. Compost will enrich your garden and make it grow. Composting is nature’s way of recycling. Almost any organic matter can be composted including leaves, straw, food scraps, lawn and garden clippings. You can build your own from timber, bricks or other materials or just make a heap. For fact sheets go to www.abc.net.au/gardening and type in ‘compost’ in the SEARCH box.

Be Wise About Water. With simple planning and good plant selection you can create a beautiful water efficient garden right from the start. Check out www.wiseaboutwater.com.au for detailed tips on reducing water use and links to other useful websites.

NGIA thanks Learnscapes Planning & Design for sharing their process in the creation of this themed garden.

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the contents, Nursery & Garden Industry Australia Limited accepts no liability for the information.

Safety Disclaimer. All student activities included in KidsGrow have been designed to minimise hazards. However, there is no guarantee expressed or implied that an activity or procedure will not cause injury. Teachers selecting a KidsGrow garden activity should consider the occupational health and safety requirements within their State or Territory. Any necessary precaution should be clearly outlined by the teacher before starting an activity. Students must also be taught the proper use of tools and provided with all safety and protective equipment such as gloves before beginning an activity. See ‘Safety tips for learning outdoors’.

Your local nursery or garden centre is a great place to start for advice on gardening techniques, garden supplies, landscape suppliers and plants suitable for your area.

Munch and Crunch raised bed edible garden

Student outcomes

By actively participating in the learning opportunities and creation of the Munch and Crunch raised bed garden students will:

• discover interdependency between humans and the natural environmental processes including the water cycle and the nutrient cycle.• represent key features of the school on a map and audit and assess the site.• develop and evaluate ideas using drawings, models, prototypes and examples at appropriate stages of the design process, then implement them.• identify and implement basic aspects of caring for plants and describe and record ways in which living things grow and change.• develop and implement simple plans to address environmental issues in the school such as recycling waste through composting, water efficient practices.• employ sustainable gardening practices and appreciate the satisfaction, accomplishment and value of growing and eating fresh food.• develop understandings about the need to protect the genetic diversity of our plant foods for the future.

KidsGrow resources

• Steps for creating a raised bed edible garden• Munch and Crunch Garden sample design• Munch and Crunch tips and suggestions• Munch and Crunch yearly planner• Planting guide for easy grow autumn/winter sown vegetables Other resources from www.kidsgrow.com.au

• Raised bed design and construction• No-dig gardening and garden tools• Waterwise gardening • Safety tips for learning outdoors• School friendly gardening practices• Safe ways to deal with common garden pests

KidsGrow Garden Industry Resource

For more school garden resources go to www.kidsgrow.com.au © 2005 Nursery & Garden Industry Australia Limited

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Steps for creating a raised bed edible garden

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Brainstorm in groups the identity of as many edible plants as possible. Compile a class list. Research which plant foods are grown locally. Classify according to edible leaf, fruit, fl ower, seed, stem or root. Survey the class to identify foods that students like and dislike. Discuss and list reasons for creating an edible garden.Investigate what plants and seeds require to grow and thrive.Identify and list the elements needed to make an edible garden.Brainstorm about who could help design and build the garden.Design an invitation and distribute it to possible helpers. Collect and display photos and drawings of edible gardens.Create a wish list for what you want and need in your garden.Refer to the ‘Munch and Crunch Garden yearly planner’ and the ‘Planting guide for easy grow autumn/winter sown vegetables’.Brainstorm fundraising ideas for your garden. Act on these.

Obtain a base map of the whole school grounds and if possible an aerial photograph. Identify main features and different areas.Investigate the grounds to look for potential edible garden sites, which could include existing garden sites or unused spaces.Find possible places for an edible garden that: have at least six hours sunshine a day; are close to a water supply; are not already native animal habitat; are protected from strong winds; are fairly fl at; are not needed for other uses now and in the future; are not needed for vehicle access; and are not as likely to be damaged.Determine areas that may need improving and consider these. Record possible sites for your edible garden on the base map.Collect and test soil samples from the different sites. Prepare a table outlining the results of the soil testing.Share all your fi ndings with key stakeholders and the principal.Evaluate and discuss alternative sites for a Munch and Crunch garden using the information collected in the site inventory. Go to each site. Imagine how it could be improved with a garden.Select the best site for your garden. Vote if you need to.

Lead students to an increased understanding about edible plants. Decide on the purpose of the garden. Research and decide on the type of edible garden to be built. Provide information to parents about the value of students’ involvement in planning and caring for an edible garden. Enlist the support of parents, grounds staff and local gardening experts for your garden team. Identify elements needed to establish a food growing area. Refer to the ‘Munch and Crunch Garden sample design’. Gather samples and resources about edible gardens, kitchen gardens and vegetable gardens. Research which plants will best suit the purpose of your garden.

Step 1. Organise your team and create a vision for your garden

Step 2. Locate the best place for your garden

ACTIVITIES TO BE UNDERTAKEN STUDENT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Finding a suitable location will take some time

and thought. It is very important at this stage

to undertake a site assessment. Use a school map

with a scale and north point. Check each factor:

Location of buildings and physical features

Location of water, electric, gas, phone lines

Existing vegetation including weeds

Existing animals and evidence of habitat

Sunlight and shade at different times

Soil quality and type

Prevailing winds and climatic infl uences

Slope and drainage run-off patterns

Current functions of areas and supervision

Vehicle and pedestrian access

Views and visual quality

Hazards, safety and maintenance issues

Environmentally degraded areas

Imminent changes affecting the site

Garden site plan

on A3 sheet (see step 3)

Site option 2

Site option 3

Whole school base map

Site option 1



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Now decide on the size and shape of the garden.Prepare a site plan ready for the design work.1:50 is a good scale for students to draw their design ideas - 2cm on plan = 1 metre on ground.Design garden beds no wider than 1.5m so that students can easily reach to plant and tend the garden, with access from either side. Consider either a big garden bed with numerous ‘keyhole’ accesses or individual garden beds linked with wide pathways. Consider constructing in stages.Try to incorporate seating on the garden edges.Refer to the ‘Raised bed garden design and construction’ sheet. If possible orient the garden beds east to west to maximise available sunlight.Walkways should be at least a metre wide to provide easy access. Check the elements on the sample garden plan. Draw the final design to scale onto a site plan.

With a grounds person or parent’s assistance lay out the design features to scale on the ground. Keep a photographic record of student actions. Have a symbolic launch on site. Keep it simple.

Call on the support team to help build the garden. Before digging make sure where electricity and other services are located. If needed, chip away grass and weeds. Many weeds can be compost-ed. Construct the raised garden bed or beds. For the edging use untreated timber, stone or bricks. For pathways consider sawdust, decomposed granite, pavers, bricks or living ground covers.

Many vegetables grow best in rich, well-drained soil. Make sure to observe safety precautions when using gardening tools. Dig the soil often enough to break up any clods. Add decomposed organic matter to improve quality, drainage and moisture and reduce the need for water. In an established bed first remove any coarse mulch, roots and stones. To give plants a head start dig old manure and well rotted compost into the top 15cm of soil. Rake the surface over. Devise a plan for planting. See the ‘Planting guide for easy grow autumn/winter sown vegetables’ and the ‘Munch and Crunch Garden tips and suggestions’.

Step 5. Build garden structures

Estimate then measure the possible boundaries for the garden. Create a site plan of the proposed garden area as it is currently.Draw in any existing features carefully keeping them to scale.Discuss possible shapes for the new garden beds and pathways. Select items from your wish list to be included in the design. Discuss which materials to use to make the garden and pathways. Draw your own ideas and plans of what the garden may look like.Share and compare drawings and ideas with the whole group.Choose the most appealing ideas and sketch up a class design.Determine the depth, width and length of the raised garden bedsEstimate and then calculate the area and volume of the beds.Determine the amount of soil and other materials needed.Choose the plants you want and decide what to plant and where. Refer to the ‘Munch and Crunch Garden tips and suggestions’ and ‘Planting guide for easy grow autumn/winter sown vegetables’ Display the final design for feedback from the school community.Contact your local nursery for advice and prices of seedlings.Calculate the cost of buying plants and the cost of materials.Write a request for donations of materials in school newsletter.

Use trundle wheels and tape measures to measure and mark out the garden beds and pathways using rope or pegs and string.Record your activities in your garden diary and add to it regularly.Photograph ‘before the garden’. Write captions for the photos.

In groups build models of your garden using assorted materials.Invite supporters to sponsor plants or materials for the project.Investigate if any cheap or free recycled materials are available. Research alternative materials, living and non-living, for pathways.Plan a working bee day to build the garden and invite helpers.Photograph ‘garden construction’. Write captions for the photos.Incorporate measurement markings on the garden bed structure.Design thankyou cards and post them to your helpers and donors.

Investigate safe gardening practices. See ‘Safety tips for learning outdoors’ and ‘School friendly gardening practices’.Check your soil type. Pick up a handful of moist soil and squeeze. Clay soil will form a tight sticky ball. Sandy soil won’t hold its shape and loamy soil will hold its shape but it crumbles easily.Test the pH level of the garden soil. A pH of 6.5 is ideal for most vegetables. Adjust the pH if necessary. Adding lime lowers the pH and adding sulphur raises it.Loosen and aerate the soil to help the roots of plants grow well.Add organic matter to provide nutrients and assist with drainage.Investigate how to attract earthworms to your garden. Try this.Draw a cross section diagram showing the layers in your garden.Photograph ‘soil preparation’. Write captions for the photos.Predict and then estimate how many seedlings will be needed.Order the seedlings you will require from your local nursery.

Step 4. Lay out the garden

Do not dig a No-dig garden. See the ‘No-dig gardening and garden tools’ resource for instructions.Different plants prefer different soil types so it is a good idea to test your soil.

A pH test kit is inexpensive and available from your local retail nursery or garden centre

Step 6. Prepare the soil

Step 3. Create the garden design



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Investigate methods of growing vegies from seeds or seedlings.Design and make plant identity signs ready to put in the garden.Remove any weeds. Rake the soil surface so it is loose and flat.Gather all required equipment - gloves, buckets, trowels, rulers.Prepare the soil by watering well. Wait until it is moist, not wet.Water the seedlings in their punnets one hour before planting.Read your seed packets or a planting guide. Follow directions.Devise a way of using your hands to measure the distance you need to leave between each plant and set them out in the garden. Observe demonstrations of how to plant seeds and /or seedlings.Restate the instructions to a partner. Confirm understanding. Work with your partner to plant your seeds and/or seedlings. Place markers. Water plants well with a fine, gentle sprinkling.Photograph ‘planting the garden’. Write captions for the photos.Draw and write about your experience in your garden diary.Research how to protect new seedlings. Implement your ideas.

Water seeds and seedlings lightly for two weeks before mulching. List the jobs that need to be done to maintain the garden.Devise a roster to ensure all students can share the garden jobs.Observe and measure shoot and leaf growth once seeds emerge.Thin out plants if too crowded to leave room for plants to grow.Spread mulch carefully - not too close to stems to avoid rotting. Check each day that the seeds and seedlings are kept moist.Research and establish a compost heap and/or a worm farm. Measure the growth rate of the plants each week and record on a class graph. Illustrate the different rates between species.Monitor insect damage. Solve problems by research and action.Research scarecrows using the internet and make a scarecrow.Study the life cycle of selected plants from seed to maturity.Explore the edible parts of plants. Ensure that hands and harvested food are washed carefully before eating anything. Photograph the ‘garden growing’. Write captions for the photos.Write about ‘How looking after the garden makes me feel’.Create a class photographic diary as plants grow.

Step 7. Plant the garden

Step 8. Tend the garden

Refer to planting guides and decide what to plant and when (most probably in stages). When ready to plant ensure the soil is prepared and moist and that everything that will be needed is on hand. When planting vegie seeds each type will need a different sowing depth. Refer to directions and then demonstrate how to plant them correctly. For seedlings, space them out on top of the soil according to directions. Use a trowel to dig a hole just big enough so the plant’s root section can be inserted. Gently remove the pre-watered seedling from the pot. Place it in the hole and fill with soil to the same level as the original container. Firm in the plant by hand to remove air pockets and create a saucer shaped depression to act as a dam. Water the plants in gently.

Water plants to keep them moist. See ‘Munch and Crunch tips and suggestions’ and ‘Waterwise Gardening’. Take care that the hose doesn’t harm the plants. Thin out excess plants from the sown seeds. Mulch two weeks after planting (7-10cms deep) or build up slowly by adding leaf litter or other mulch. Weed regularly to prevent weeds competing with plants for water and nutrients. Remove any weeds using a hand fork or a hoe and add to compost. Feed plants during the growing period. Apply seaweed-based solution and a soluble plant food. Pest patrol to check plant damage and collect old vegies etc. from under plants to prevent disease. See ‘Safe ways to deal with common garden pests’.Compost any garden material that is not diseased and also lunch scraps, plant and grass cuttings. Maintain the garden edges and pathways.Report regularly on the progress of the plants.

Boards screwed onto posts

Chicken manure

Cut grass or prunings

Food scraps/organic waste

1 metre square compost bin

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Prepare student-made signage for the garden. Most simply it can be painted on ply and coated with a clear lacquer to be replaced each year. Document the development of your garden. Highlight a vegetable of the week to learn about. Plan a harvest celebration. Include a portrayal by the students of the garden in all of its’ stages. Thank all helpers with appreciation certificates.Prepare a brief project report with photos and describe the benefits of gardens in the school.

Continue to look after the garden. Keep it tidy. Consider environmental impacts when making choices about growing and caring for plants.Organic gardening involves creative ways of repelling, trapping or destroying harmful pests.Collect and store seeds for the next year if applicable. Remove dead plants. Add undiseased plants to the compost. Cover the garden bed with a thick layer of newspapers, wet them down and cover with mulch or straw to help prevent weed growth over summer. Explore the possibilities for collecting rain water. When planning crops for next year, consider crop rotation which helps minimise pests and disease and maintain healthy soil. Vegetables should be rotated according to family groupings.

Create a special sign for your garden. Acknowledge sponsors. Prepare a display about the garden. Include photos and captions, the plan, paintings, growth rate graphs and student diaries. Celebrate your harvest. Invite parents and school community. Devise a dramatic or musical re-enactment of the creation of the garden to perform at the Harvest Celebration Assembly. Prepare a press release about the garden’s progress and send it with photos to the local newspaper and www.kidsgrow.com.au . Eat the harvest. Record comments from those tasting the food. Select a simple recipe to prepare using produce from the garden.

Support grounds staff by mulching and maintaining the garden.Write a regular garden report for the school newsletter.Research organic gardening and environmentally friendly ways of controlling garden pests which are attracted to vegetables. Add your suggestions to the KidsGrow resource ‘Safe ways to deal with common garden pests’ and contribute to www.kidsgrow.com.au .Record in a class log book what has been grown, when it was planted, when harvested and how it was consumed. Take photos.Prepare a presentation to assist next year’s students to plan and plant their own edible garden. Outline successes and failures.Make a class ‘Edible Garden Big Book’ for the school library using the photos, graphs, selected paintings and diary entries.Plan some procedures and design simple technological solutions for watering plants during holiday periods, if applicable.Reflect on ways that plants support human health and well being.Investigate crop rotation. See ‘Munch and Crunch Garden tips and suggestions’.


Step 10. Keep your garden going and use it for more learning

Step 9. Celebrate and share the garden

Learning activitieswww.health.qld.gov.au/activeate/default.asp go to teacher fact sheets and scroll down to gardening resources.Hints for starting an edible garden and recipes to cook the vegetables: www.dhs.gov.au/ediblegardens

Great planting and growing tips www.beddingplants.com.au/veges/tips.htm www.janesgarden.com.au/vege_garden.htm www.abc.net.au/gardening

Hand your garden on to a younger class at the end of the year.

Useful web sites

For Further Fun

• Plant a tepee. Use two metre lengths of

bamboo, string and climbing vegetables or vines.

• Research and create “Did you know?” signs to place

beside growing plants.

• Research how growing food began ten

to twelve thousand years ago.• Plan a menu using healthy

diet principals. Plant the vegetables you will need.

• If you can keep water up to them in the growing

period plant some pumpkins. Carve your name in a pumpkin

when it is small using a wooden skewer. Then watch your name grow.• Plant a pizza themed garden with tomatoes, basil, capsicum, onion,

garlic, oregano, spring onions.

• Using mustard seeds plant a

special message ready for a celebration. Use your finger

to trace the letters in the ground and plants the seed

along the furrows.• Plant bush tucker herbs and vegetables such as native basil,

warrigal greens and bush tomatoes.

• Plant heirloom varieties, miniature varieties, edible flowers and Asian vegetables. Ask your

local garden centre to order them.• Make “seed tapes” to ensure

proper spacing of seedlings–usingwater soluble glue evenly space seeds along long strips of paper towels and then plant the strips

in rows in the prepared soil.

• Create ‘compost tea’ to feed your vegies: Almost fill a plastic garbage bin with weeds.

Cover with water and replace the lid. Wait a few weeks for the plants to break

down, then dilute the fertilizer 10:1 and use on the garden in the same

way as liquid manure.

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ENWaterwise gardening

Mulch is a layer of material placed over the soil surface. It keeps soil moist, saves water, suppresses weeds, insulates roots against heat and cold and, if it is organic, adds nutrients to the soil. Using mulch reduces water loss through evaporation by up to 70%.

Mulches can be laid down 7-10cms deep or they can be built up slowly, week by week. Be careful not to mulch too close to the stems of plants to avoid their stems rotting. Recent trials by Yates* suggest that some fine mulches absorb water and actually prevent water reaching the soil and should only be spread thinly.

There are organic and inorganic mulches. Inorganic mulches such as pebbles or crushed glass don’t break down, whereas organic mulches like pea straw or lucerne hay will eventually break down and nourish the soil. Organic mulches will need to be topped up each year in spring.

Experiment by using different mulches in different sections of the garden. Keep records over time regarding initial cost, availability, break down rate, size of mulch particles and effect on plant growth and replacement cost.

The following list provides a starting point for research.

Compost: Adds humus to the soil, improves soil structure, good moisture penetration.Pine bark: Low nutrient, dense, acidic mulch. Slow to rot - it is good for paths.Leaf litter: Quick to break down into rich humus. Shred it before use.Woodchips: Long lasting but does not add many nutrients to the soil. Allow to age before use.Pea straw: Breaks down quickly. Will contain some peas seeds that may self germinate.Lucerne hay: Ideal mulch, usually without weed seeds. High in nitrogen. Good for strawberries.Grass clippings: High in nitrogen and other nutrients. Should be dried before use. Use sparingly.Gravel: Doesn’t break down. Used to provide drainage, colour and form. Good for paths.Seaweed: High in nutrients, rapidly enriches sandy soil. Wash first to remove salt.

Other mulches to investigate: newspaper, scoria, hessian, carpet underlay, geotextiles.

Mulch (organic and inorganic)

Mulch and more mulch

This gardening technique raises the growing bed higher than the surrounding open ground. Mound gardens are able to be shaped to fit any design and are easy to construct and care for. The design discourages trampling and compacting, helping to keep the soil loose and well drained. Mounded garden beds should be formedwith a level surface on top to help retain water and mulch.

About mounding

Water crystals retain water in the soil and release it as needed Wetting agents improve water penetration in the soilTrigger nozzles stop the water from the hose when you release the triggerRainwater diverter redirects water from the downpipe to the garden or water tankSoil-moisture sensor probes the soil to give an accurate indication of a plant’s water needsDrip irrigation line applies water directly and evenly to plant roots where it is neededWatering cans with two handles and a screw on rose or nozzle are the easiest to use Chunky mulch with particles > 5 mm conserves water better than finer mulches*

* see page 64-65 ABC Gardening Australia, December 2005

• Design your garden so that plants with similar watering needs are grouped together.

• Choose plants which are appropriate for the local climate and water availability.

• When planting use water saving products like wetting agents and water storing crystals.

• Water plants in the cooler part of the day and only water plants when they need it.

• Water the roots of the plant not the foliage to help prevent water loss through evaporation.

• Drought proof plants by watering them longer and less often to encourage deep root growth.

Watering tips

Did you know?

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Learnscapes Planning and DesignJohn Webber and Helen Tyas Tunggal

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Ask your local garden centre for expert advice on seeds and seedlings suited to your school grounds. Ask about ordering in

special or unusual varieties.

Essential Elements• The sunniest and warmest spot available – north facing and at least six hours of sunshine. • Well drained, rich loamy soil with lots of organic material or compost in raised garden beds. • A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is desirable. A pH of 6.5 is ideal for most vegetables.• Access to a water supply. Trigger nozzles, watering cans or drip irrigation for watering.

Design tips• Provide easy access to either one large garden bed with “keyholes” or to a variety of narrow garden beds surrounding a central garden or court and constructed over a period of years. • Incorporate seating into raised garden beds with wide walkways/“wheel” ways in between.• Locate a tool shed, shade area, potting table and compost and worm farm near the garden.• Bamboo climbing frames can be simple or elaborate. Consider creating a living tunnel over a walkway.

Plant tips• Always choose the right vegetable variety for the climate and the season. Late summer and autumn planted vegetables should be ready to harvest within the school year.• Choose vegetables that students want to eat as well as introducing new or unfamiliar foods.• For early success include some fast growing plants e.g. radishes (25 days from seed), cress (25 days from seed), salad greens such as mizuna, rocket and leaf lettuce.• Use information from seed packets or the seedling punnet for suggested planting strategies.• Consider single crop beds using succession planting (every few weeks with the same) or mixed beds growing diverse plants with multi-storey planting e.g. broad beans beside lettuce • Try companion planting of vegetables with herbs and flowers to improve plant growth, encourage natural pest control and maximise the use of the garden space.

Gardening Tips• Compost will enrich your garden and make it grow. Composting is nature’s way of recycling. Almost any organic matter can be composted including leaves, straw, food scraps, lawn and garden clipping. For suggestions see http://education.qld.gov.au/ schools/healthy/active-ate/index.html Go to ‘teacher fact sheets’ then to the ‘gardening section’ OR www.abc.net.au/gardening and type in ‘compost’ in the SEARCH box.• Mix small seeds like carrots with sand for a more even spread along a planting furrow.• Water the roots and keep foliage dry to avoid disease. See ‘Waterwise gardening’ page.• Mulch the garden well. Remove weeds regularly. • Feed the plants regularly - for leaf and plant growth use fertiliser high in nitrogen (e.g. blood and bone, chicken manure); for fruiting and flowering - higher in potassium (e.g. sulphate of potash); and for roots and bulbs - higher phosphorous. • Make the most of your harvest: repeated plantings every few weeks spread the harvest; harvest vegetables as soon as they are ripe; very young plants are also tasty and succulent. Don’t waste your thinnings - use in soups and salads.• For improved soil fertility and natural control of pests and diseases, avoid planting anything in the same plant family year after year in the same garden bed. Consider rotating crops e.g. plant a root crop after a leaf crop - carrots and spring onions after spinach and rocket; plant a leaf crop after legumes - lettuce and silverbeet after peas and beans. • A green manure crop is a seed-grown crop specifically for digging back into the soil to increase levels of organic matter. Use up old leftover packets of flower and vegetable seeds mixed together. When seedlings reach 30cm cut them off and dig them back into the garden.

A four bed example of basic crop rotation

Crop Type Autumn/Winter planted vegetable Soil needs

Bed 1 fruit and seed crops

Bed 2 green leafy crops

Bed 3 root and bulb crops Bed 4 green manure crop

beans, peas, snow peas and snap peas

lettuce, spinach, cress, silverbeet, radicchio, endive, mizuna, rocket, Asian greens

carrots, radish, spring onion, Japanese turnip, beetroot

broad beans, clover, mustard, unused vegetable and flower seed packets

Potassium

Nitrogen

Phosporus, potassium (low nitrogen)

Create a Garden Maintenance jobs roster. Garden jobs include:Feeding plants, watering, thinning, staking, weeding, edging, sweeping paths, tending compost, tending worms, pest patrol, daily reporter, artist, poet, musician, diary keeper, photographer.

See related KidsGrow information pages ‘Raised bed design and construction’; ‘No-dig gardening and garden tools’; ‘Planting guide for easy grow vegetables’; ‘Waterwise gardening’; ‘Safety tips for learning outdoors’; ‘School friendly gardening practices’; ‘Safe ways to deal with common garden pests’

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Remove all weeds.Fork over beds and cover with

thick layers of mulch.Clean all gardens tools and

store safely.

SCHOOL YEAR ENDS.PUT THE GARDEN TO BED

FOR SUMMER

S C H O O L H O L I D A Y S

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Plant green manure, crop and dig back into soil.

Munch and Crunch Garden yearly planner

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TROPICAL ANDSUB-TOPICAL ZONES

TEMPERATE ZONES

FROST PRONE ZONES

HOT

WARM

COOL

FROST MAY OCCUR FROM MAY TO SEPTEMBER

* Planning a new garden may take 6 months or more. Start the year before.

Note that school holiday periods change from year to year and state to state. Tasmania has 3 terms rather than 4.

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ce.

Your

loca

l re

tail

nurs

ery

or

gar

den

cen

tre

can h

elp y

ou

choo

se v

eget

able

s th

at s

uit

your

loca

l co

nditio

ns.

List

ed h

ere

are

veget

able

s th

at c

an p

roduce

a c

rop

within

the

schoo

l ye

ar.

The

earlie

r th

ey a

re p

lante

d

the

earlie

r th

ey c

an b

e har

vest

ed. In

the

dry

sea

son

in t

ropic

al a

reas

man

y su

mm

er v

eget

able

s ca

nal

so b

e gro

wn s

uch

as

tom

atoe

s, b

eans,

cap

sicu

m,

cucu

mber

, pot

atoe

s.

Tim

e t

o

harv

est

fr

om

seed

(weeks)

Fros

t te

nde

r. Be

sure

to

choo

se e

dibl

e va

riet

ies

When

finis

hed

dig

pla

nt in

to s

oil t

o ad

d nitro

gen

Pic

k ou

ter

leav

es for

con

tinuou

s cr

oppi

ng

s

ourc

e: Y

ates

Gar

den

Guid

e, 2

002 H

arper

Col

lins

Aust

ralia

.

Org

anic

Veg

etab

le G

arden

ing, 2002 A

nnet

te M

cFar

lane,

ABC B

ooks

.

Bro

ad B

ean*

c

w

c w

c w

t

c w

t

se

ed

15-2

0cm

16 –

20

Bes

t in

mild

and c

ool c

limat

es

Pea

(snap

/snow

) w

w t

w

t

w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

se

ed

15cm

10 –

16

Rad

ish

c

w t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

seed

3-5

cm

3 –

8

Coo

l wea

ther

pro

duce

s m

ild tas

ting r

adis

hes

Japan

ese

turn

ip

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

seed

7-1

0cm

4 -

10

Gre

en top

s al

so e

dibl

e. H

arve

st a

t 10cm

dia

met

er

Roc

ket/

Miz

una

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

t

t

t

seed

ling

30-4

0cm

5 -

8

Fast

gro

win

g. Pr

efer

s m

oist

soi

l. H

arve

st r

egula

rly

Must

ard/c

ress

c

w t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

seed

1-2

cm

4 -

6

Mak

e su

cces

sive

sow

ings

as r

equired

Bee

troo

t

c w

w

t

t

t

w t

w

t

eith

er

20-3

0cm

10 -

12

Young le

aves

can

be

eate

n (

as s

pin

ach)

Spin

ach*

c

c w

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c t

c

seed

ling

10cm

8 -

12

Pick

oute

r le

aves

for

con

tinuou

s cr

oppin

g.

Car

rot

c

w

c w

t

c w

t

w

t

t

t

se

ed

3-5

cm

10 -

16

Kee

p w

ell w

ater

ed. Sta

rt e

atin

g a

t 1cm

dia

met

er

Spring o

nio

n

c w

c w

t

c w

t

w

t

t

t

c w

t

seed

ling

10cm

8 -

12

Mak

e su

cces

sive

sow

ings

as r

equired

Lett

uce

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

w

t

w

t

c w

t

seed

ling

20-3

0cm

7 -

12

Pref

ers

par

t sh

ade

and m

oist

soi

l

Rad

icch

io

c w

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

w

t

w

t

w

t

seed

ling

20-3

0cm

10 -

11

Choo

se s

unny

wel

l dra

ined

spot

Endiv

e*

c

w

c w

c w

c c

c c

eith

er

30cm

8 -

12

Cov

er w

ith s

traw

thre

e w

eeks

bef

ore

cutt

ing

Asi

an g

reen

s c

w t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

seed

ling

50-6

0cm

3 -

8

Plan

t cr

op e

very

few

wee

ks for

con

tinuou

s su

pply

Veg

eta

ble

Feb

Mar

Ap

r

May

Ju

n

J

ul

A

ug

Sp

acin

g

AU

TU

MN

WI

NT

ER

Oth

er

edib

les

to g

row

Str

awber

ry

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

seed

ling

30cm

22 -

25

Mulc

h w

ell. S

nai

ls a

nd s

lugs

love

them

!

Cal

endula

w

c

w t

c w

t

c w

t

t

t

seed

30cm

10 -

12

Peta

ls a

re e

dib

le a

nd c

an b

e ad

ded

to

sala

ds

Herb

s

Pars

ley

c

w t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

t

t

t

seed

ling

20-2

5cm

6 -

8

Bes

t in

fertile

dam

p so

il. S

nails

and

slu

gs lo

ve it

!

Gar

lic C

hiv

es

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

t

t

t

eith

er

10cm

8

Mor

e har

dy

than

com

mon

chiv

es

Ore

gan

o

c w

t

c w

t

c w

t

w

t

t

t

t

seed

ling

30-4

0cm

8 -

12

Nee

ds

full

sun

Mar

jora

m

c

w t

c w

t

c w

t

w

t

t

t

t

seed

ling

20cm

8 -

12

Nee

ds

full

sun

Seed

or

seed

lin

g

* N

ot r

ecom

men

ded

for

tro

pic

al r

egio

ns

t tr

opic

al &

sub-

topi

cal d

istr

icts

w w

arm

tem

pera

te d

istr

icts

c

cool

fro

st p

rone

dist

rict

s

Sp

eci

al

no

te


For

more

sch

ool gar

den

res

ourc

es g

o t

o w

ww

.kid

sgro

w.c

om

.au ©

2005 N

urs

ery

& G

arden

Indust

ry A

ust

ralia

Lim

ited

Education

Munch and Crunch Garden: Raised Bed Edible Garden - Kids Grow Garden