Renovating a neglected school garden
Does your school have a "secret" garden hidden in the overgrown shrubs and trees? Sometimes there are gardens buried in the schoolyard that staff doesn't even realize are there. There may be a beautiful garden with a rich history worth investigating. Ask around, look for clues: are there tools or structures (like raised beds) that can be brought back to life? Consider asking neighbors, older residents, retired teachers or older students’ families.
Whether you have a school garden or not, the first step is to get the support you need. The success of your school garden depends on the relationships you cultivate.
• Administrator: Support from your principal is key. With administrative support, your garden can be incorporated into the curriculum, and teachers will get the added support needed for professional development and teaching supplies.
• Custodial Engineer: This person may be your greatest ally in the school for maintenance and enthusiasm (and it affects his/her job!). Talk to them and involve them in planning!
• At least three or more school staff:. This will keep you from being overwhelmed, ensure that the garden is used by more than one person, and will be your safety net if some of the original coordinators leave the school.
• Parents/ PTA or PTO: Parents can support the school garden through volunteerism and fundraising.
• The community: By knocking on some doors, this group may offer the protection from vandalism and summer maintenance help that you will need.
• Local organizations, scouts, 4-H clubs, youth groups, businesses, schools, and garden clubs: for additional assistance in funding, installation, and maintenance.
Create a plan:
Use this tool to evalute your project, and to schedule what needs to be done and when:
http://rocklandcce.org/PDFs/school_garden_sustainabilty_plan.pdf
