Planning
What did we do before we actually started working on and in our patch of land? Find out more.
20 steps of our schoolgarden
1. Getting the acceptance of the school’s staff and finding a person responsible
We discussed our ideas with all our colleagues and found a manager for this garden project
2. Finding a plot, getting the permission of the owner
We found a plot on our school premises and asked the owner (administrative district and local community) for their permission, which we got
3. Spotting conflicts of interest and resolving those issues
We talked to every possible group that could have an interest in this plot and made sure that everyone was ok with our plan
4. Motivating and activating students
We promoted our project among the students and selected a group of interested students
5. Including students in planning and creating the garden
We asked the students for their ideas and included them into the plan
6. Documenting the planning process of the plot, deciding which crops and plants to use, finding donors and sponsors
We took care of planning our garden visually so that one could imagine how it was going to look like. Through talks we could get some equipment, tools and plants for free from families and friends
7. Collecting specialised knowledge
Through conversations at home the students collected knowledge on taking care of y garden from family and friends
8. Deepening knowledge on bees
To create a garden not only usable for humans but good for bees and insects as well, we collected knowledge on how to make sure that bees can live in that plot as well (planting of wild flowers and herbs, abandonment of bee toxic chemicals)
9. Decluttering the plot and the garden shed
We made sure that everything that needs to gone made space for the new garden
10. Soil cultivation in patch area
We prepared the soil for its new purpose
11. Building patches
We built different patches fitted to the plants and their needs
12. Securing water supply
We secured our water supply by building a pond since there was no other way to get water near that plot
13. Building a raised bed
We built a raised bed and used old techniques so that no additional material was needed
14. Planting and sowing
Before we could plant our crops and plants we had to grow them in a secured space. Once the plants were strong enough we planted them into the patches and beds
15. Weeding
To make sure that the crops and plants could grow we had to weed and pull out unwanted herbs
16. Establishing and reactivating the garden as a part of school’s society
We promoted the use of the garden as a green classroom and thus reactivated a concept that had been around our school for years
17. Harvesting
We harvested our plants
18. Using the harvest
We used our harvest in home economics classes and had barbecues in the garden to spread awareness of its existence
19. Preparing the garden for winter
We prepared the garden for autumn and winter time and made sure that pond, beds and patches can be used next term again
20. Planning the next garden year
We activated younger children to take part in this project and used our newly gained experience to improve the garden.