Close your eyes and imagine the crisp morning dew, the smell of fresh soil and the promise of an abundant harvest. School gardens are sprouting up across British Columbia and one will soon be breaking ground at John Muir Elementary.
It will include raised vegetable beds, edible flowers, a native plant and herb garden, bee and butterfly gardens and heritage variety fruit trees. Students will learn about environmental sustainability through the use of rain barrels, solar power and zero waste composting.
The outdoor classroom at John Muir will encompass not only food production and environmental stewardship, but also have other subjects integrated into the garden. Math, science, art, health, physical education, and social studies can all be taught in harmony with the garden classroom.
Students in all grade levels will be learning in the garden but Grades 4 and 5 will take on responsibilities of plantings, crop rotation and irrigation. As they move to the next Grade level each year, the older students will mentor the younger students, fostering leadership, communication and team work.[sam id=”15″ codes=”true”]Produce grown in the garden will be used in the school to enhance healthy nutrition habits and create smoothies, soups and salads, as well as to support our local food bank.
Many hours of planning and designing have been invested thus far and the garden will be ready to plant by early spring.
The project needs your support!
The garden program is currently running a fundraiser through Vessey’s Bulbs offering something for everyone, whether you are a novice gardener or an advanced green thumb. Catalogs and order forms can be found at the school or by contacting Krista Myers.
Orders are due by January 29 at the latest.
Look for our upcoming fundraisers including compost sales in February and hanging baskets in time for Mother’s Day! If you are interested in supporting this amazing project in any other way, please contact Krista Myers at firstname.lastname@example.org.