Growing Gardens - Implementation

A garden that is an integral part of the school ecosystem is productive and easy to manage.

Growing Communities have established a number of school gardens throughout South-East Queensland. We utilise a team of environmental educators and permaculturalists to assist in developing a design and management plan which acknowledges a school’s existing strengths and constraints.

Overview of our initial consultation with your school:

Growing Communities makes an initial visit to the school to meet with Staff, students, parents and community members, and gauge the strength and interest. Who is initiating and guiding the project? What is the potential scope of the project? We also view the school grounds to discuss initial ideas and potential sites for the project. Issues to consider during this first visit are accessibility, centrality of possible locations, geographical aspects, infrastructure requirements, and water availability.

Visioning Workshop

Growing Communities conducts a workshop with teachers, parents, and interested students to develop a common vision. We use the action-based learning model to identify the current situation and generate ideas for change that will inform the design. We also map out a process and timeline. Who can be involved in the project? Where can the school find support? Can it engage the wider community?

Criteria, parameters, opportunities and constraints are explored with teachers and students in a SWOT analysis that forms the basis of a design and management plan. Action research arising out of this analysis forms the basis of student participation and integration within the school curriculum. What is the commitment of the school community? How far do you want to go? Following the action learning cycle, students are engaged in partnership with Staff throughout this process, either by participating in a special interest group, or engaging in a classroom based rich-task, to submit design proposals based on their own needs and desires.

Permaculture Design

Growing Communities will then produce a permaculture garden design incorporating elements and outcomes of student and school community research, with fully detailed drawings and a strategy for implementation. It can also include costing, planting guides, and information sheets, although these could alternatively form the basis of rich learning tasks for students.

Depending on the final design, Growing Communities’ continued implementation of the project could encompass:
• Earthworks and basic construction

• Pathways, edges, beds, compost bays, propagation house

• Setting up infrastructure and systems for food gardens – propagation, composting, recycling, water catchment and storage, tools, materials, storage

This is also a good period of time for staff and students to undertake skills development in permaculture design, organic gardening and sustainability. See our current professional development program.

SUPPORT

The long-term sustainability of a school garden hinges upon ‘people power’. Growing Communities is aware that not everyone is a gardener and yet, with the right support and guidance, a productive and attractive garden is achievable. Growing Communities encourages partnerships with schools - teachers, Staff, parents, volunteers, local businesses, and community members - to facilitate the day-to-day operation of the garden and its integration with the school curriculum. We employ educators, garden support workers and permaculturalists to assist in developing skills for maintaining the garden and ensuring its ongoing sustainability.

Ongoing support includes:

• Planting, watering, growing, harvesting, crop rotation, and weeding systems

• Lesson planning and facilitation

• Student and teacher consultation

• Professional development workshops for teachers