UCCE home page banner 62KB
Getting
Started
 raised bed graphic 7KB

     How do you begin planning a school garden? What if you have little or no gardening experience? School gardens can be large or small, contain many diverse plants or just a few, and created to fit your school's resources and needs.

PLANNING
red flower 2KB Get Permission - Before beginning, get official permission from your school's administration. Ask what space is available for a garden.
red flower 2KB Get Organized - Purchase a large binder with paper and pockets to record your efforts, jot down ideas, and keep resource materials and receipts. This "master binder" can be passed along from year to year to provide necessary information for future school gardeners.
red flower 2KB Identify Volunteers - Identify and enlist the help of those who can help start a gardening project, particularly those with gardening experience. This can include teachers, parents, or local volunteers.
red flower 2KB Get Ideas - Visit other school gardens in your area. Take note of different layouts, locations, water sources, tools, and storage areas. Ask about financial and local resources they may utilize.
red flower 2KB Identify Financial Resources - For many schools, financial limitations may be the biggest challenge. But even very limited financial resources and a little creative "scrounging" can be enough to begin an effective school garden:
  • Ask your administration what is available from your own school budget.
  • Solicit donations from the PTA, local businesses, and parents. This can include mulches, seed, soil amendments/fertilizers, and tools & supplies.
  • Identify financial resources.
  • Send thank you notes, updates, and/or pictures to show appreciation and encourage future assistance.
red flower 2KB Work with Teachers - Find out who is interested in participating. Discuss the following options:
PUT IT ON PAPER
blue butterfly 2KB Be Conservative - Create a garden only as large as your school and its resources can maintain easily. A garden can always be expanded in years to come.
blue butterfly 2KB Sketch It Out - Prepare a basic drawing or diagram on paper. Include the garden location, dimensions, walkways, water source, tool storage, and fencing/gate specifications, if applicable. List tasks necessary to construct the garden.
blue butterfly 2KB Determine Crops - Prepare a list of crops and flowers that can be successfully and easily grown during the available growing seasons. Determine how much can be planted, planting and harvesting/blooming dates, row spacing, and where to grow each in the garden.
blue butterfly 2KB Keep Records & Photos - Record all dates, activities, expenses, and as they occur in the "master binder" to aid in planning for future gardens. Also, take a few photos each year to help document your activities.


GARDEN LOCATION
sun 2KB Nearby Water Source - source should be as close to garden as possible.
sun 2KB Good Drainage - location should not be in low spot where water collects.
sun 2KB Level Ground - sloping or hilly ground is difficult to work on.
sun 2KB Direct Sunlight - 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Avoid shady trees and buildings.
sun 2KB Accessible & Visible - children should have easy access to observe and work in the garden. Consider wheelchair accessibility.
sun 2KB Secure, Safe - avoid high-traffic play areas, areas adjacent to sidewalks/streets, and areas near ditches/waterways where snakes/rodents may invade the garden. Consider a fence or border planting and lockable shed for tools.
sun 2KB Permanent - location should remain fixed. Check future school construction plans.
sun 2KB Multiple - consider using multiple plots on school grounds to utilize more space.
sun 2KB Soil
  • avoid areas treated with herbicides, potential plot should have existing weed and grass growth.
    • worm 8KB
  • workable, loam soil - remains crumbly, holds water & well aerated.
sun 2KB Note - San Diego County schools may find it difficult to locate an ideal plot on school grounds, especially in regards to ideal soil. Contact Master Gardeners for a consultation.

GARDEN SPACE
red water can 2KB Communal Plots - garden space and plants shared among all participants.
  • allows for crops that require more space (corn, pumpkins).
  • responsibility workload spread among all participants.
red water can 2KB Individual Plots - garden space divided up and assigned to groups/classes.
  • allows individual groups to design and care for their assigned space.
  • responsibilities for care are clearly and easily defined.

GARDEN RESPONSIBILITIES
blue water drop 2KB Regular Weeding, Watering, & Maintenance - gardens need at least weekly attention. Determine if volunteers need to be recruited or if students/teachers can handle the necessary tasks. Do not expect school maintenance or grounds personnel to maintain the garden.
blue water drop 2KB Vacation & Summer - ensure the garden will receive attention during vacation periods. Schools operating on traditional tracks need to determine if the garden will grow during the summer or be dug up and covered with mulch, plastic, or a cover crop until fall.

TOOLS & SUPPLIES
trowel 2KB Basics
  • Garden Hoes
  • Iron Rakes
    • wheelbarrow and tools 3KB
  • Metal Bow Rakes
  • Spading Forks
  • Garden Shovels
  • Trowels
  • Pruning Shears/Scissors
  • Twine/String & Stakes
  • Wheelbarrows
  • Rubber Hoses/Nozzles & Sprinkler
  • Watering Cans
  • Large Trash & Recycling Containers with Covers
  • Thermometer & Rain Gauge
  • Gloves (Rubber & Gardening)
  • Buckets, Pails, Bags, Sacks, or Baskets (to collect and carry garden items)
  • Indoor Storage Area (tool shed or other storage area near garden)
trowel 2KB Quality - get the best quality tools the budget will allow.
trowel 2KB Care - always clean tools after each use. Cutting edges need to be regularly sharpened.  More Tool Tips
trowel 2KB Children & Tools - teach children appropriate and safe use of all tools.
  • Never lift or swing tools above knees.
  • Keep tools out of pathways.
  • Sharp edges should point towards ground.
  • Keep children safely away from all power equipment.
trowel 2KB San Diego General Nurseries & Garden Centers - a list of general nurseries and garden centers in the San Diego area sorted by region.
trowel 2KB Kids' Gardening Catalog - on-line catalog from the National Gardening Association containing children's gardening resources, supplies, and tools that provide hands-on life science activities.
trowel 2KB Let's Get Growing - on-line catalog of environmental science and nature supplies.
trowel 1KB Gardener's Supply Company - on-line catalog containing a wide range of garden supplies.

blue and green rule line 2KB

UCCE
Home Page		 School
Gardens		 Garden
Menu		 Getting
Started		 Growing
Tips 		Learning &
Activities		 School Gardens
Tour		 Resources
& Links