GROWING AND SUSTAINING A SCHOOL GARDEN The School Garden Toolkit for Loudoun County Public Schools
Dr. Becky Domokos-Bays, RD SNS Supervisor, School Nutrition Services [email protected] 571-252-1010
Stefanie Dove, RDN, CDN School Nutrition Marketing Coordinator [email protected] 571-252-1010
Regina Shvets, MPH Bowling Green State University Dietetic Intern
Loudoun County Health Department
This toolkit has been made possible in part by our Farm to School Planning Grant: CN-FNS-PLN-15-VA-01 from USDA Food and Nutrition Services. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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School Nutrition Services supports the education mission in Loudoun County Public Schools by providing nourishment to all students while helping them make lifelong healthy choices. I cannot think of a better way for children to learn about good nutrition than to pull a carrot that they planted out of the rich earth and enjoy it fresh. School gardens integrate well across the curriculum, from science and math to geography and language arts. Teachers find valuable hands on experiences in the garden to be a most effective teaching and learning strategy, and students discover that gardening becomes one of their fondest school memories, and perhaps a lifelong passion.
School Nutrition Services staff look forward to harvest days when students reap the benefits of their work and have tasting parties, sharing their bounty with fellow students.
We are happy to provide this guide to school gardening.
- Dr. Becky Domokos-Bays, Supervisor, School Nutrition Services
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Contents
Guiding Principles for School Garden Programs………………………....4
Working with School Nutrition……………………………………………….…..6
Initial Planning……………………………………………………………………………7
Project Assessment Meeting……………………………………………………...8 Project Planning and Development………………………………………..9-10
Site Plan Approval………………………………………………………………..10-11
School Garden-Related Programs…………………………………………11-12
Sustainability of School Gardens……………………………………………….13 Encouraging Ownership in the Garden……………………………………...13
Developing a Leadership Committee………………………………………...13
Engaging the Community as Volunteers…………………………………….14
Funding………………………………………………………………………………..14-15
Sustaining Existing School Gardens…………………………………………...16
School Garden Volunteers………………………………………………………...17 Garden Safety Protocols for the School Garden…………………………17 Garden Maintenance Guidelines……………………………………………….18
Essential School Garden Tools…………………………………………………..19
Garden-to-Cafeteria Best Practices……………………………………………20
Growing Guide for Most Common Vegetables……………….…….22-29 Resources……………………………………………………………………………..30-32
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Starting a School Garden
GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR SCHOOL GARDEN PROGRAMS
1. School gardens are spaces for experiential “hands-on” education, incorporating the full cycle of learning
associated with healthy food - from growing to nutrition to cooking.
2. School garden programs are designed to involve teachers and support their multi-disciplinary curriculum
primarily in the subjects of science and social studies, while also promoting self-growth and a respect for
diversity.
3. Student education, rather than food production, is the primary purpose of a school garden program.
4. Community involvement from the school administration, parents and neighborhood volunteers is
essential to the function and sustainability of a school garden program and its inclusion into the day-to-
day culture of the school.
5. School gardens are “outdoor classrooms” which utilize the grounds of the school to expand learning
and stewardship opportunities for students without having to leave the school site.
6. School gardens are engaging spaces for children to develop both a respect and a nurturing relationship
with nature and their community.
7. School gardens should model environmental stewardship and sustainability, while emphasizing the
importance of seasonality to these concepts.
8. Students should be provided with simple and culturally relevant take home messages and practical
skills to put what they’ve learned into practice at home.
9. School gardens and programs should serve as training spaces and models for others interested in
developing a similar program at their neighborhood school.
10. School garden programs are inclusive by design, promoting a respect for all backgrounds and points-of-
view, and providing each student involved with an opportunity to participate.
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LOUDOUN COUNTY SCHOOL GARDEN PROGRAM DESIGN
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WORKING WITH SCHOOL NUTRITION
Step 1: Establishing a Contact at Each School
· The garden contact will be responsible for requesting and receiving all school garden materials.
· Once this person has been selected, please notify School Nutrition Services so that they can be registered on the LCPS School Garden master list.
o Contact: Stefanie Dove
o Office Phone: (571) 252-1010
o Email: [email protected]
· Primary garden contacts can range from teachers, parents, administrators, or volunteers.
Step 2: Receiving Materials and Information
· Digital files of school garden materials, including this toolkit, will be permanently located on the School Nutrition Services website (www.lcpshealthycafe.org) so that anyone is able to access.
· Additional school garden advice and activities will also be emailed to primary contacts and posted periodically on the School Nutrition social media pages below.
o Facebook: Loudoun County School Nutrition Services
o Twitter: LCPSCafe
o Instagram: LCPSCafe
o Wordpress blog: The Daily Bite by LCPS Cafe
· If the school garden team at a select school has specific information about a gardening project or event that they are hosting, please provide school nutrition with the information and photos if possible so that this can be published.
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STEPS TO START PLANNING YOUR SCHOOL GARDEN
Step 1: Initial Planning / Things to Consider
· Develop Timeline
· Primary purpose and goals for the garden
o How will the garden benefit students?
o What makes the garden special?
o What do you hope to accomplish?
§ Do you want students to appreciate where food comes from?
§ Do you want them to learn how to harvest and prepare fresh fruits and vegetables?
§ Do you want to see an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption during school lunch?
§ Do you want to grow enough produce to be able to serve in the cafeteria?
· Who to involve?
· Is there broad support?
· How to connect the garden with the curriculum?
o Please refer to the Resources section of this toolkit.
· Long-term facility plans for the school
o Consider winter and summer break plans
o Sustainability after students and/or primary contacts move on from school
· Tour other school gardens
o Refer to LCPS School Garden Contacts in the resources section. Please note School Garden Contact list is subject to change.
· Alternative sites for the garden on school grounds
Step 2: Project Assessment Meeting 7 | Loudoun County School Garden Toolkit 2016 · School Administration
· Volunteer Leaders
· Community Partners
Step 3: Conceptual Plan Review
· Develop your school garden vision
· Garden Purpose
· Garden Site Selection
· Organize Planning Committee- Below are possible roles and assignments to consider.
o Garden Maintenance and Repairs Coordinator- Responsible for organizing maintenance projects and purchases to equipment, tools, benches, etc. that might need to be replaced or repaired.
o Supplies Coordinator- Responsible for securing seeds, plants, soil, etc. Coordinates the delivery of these items.
o Events and Outreach Coordinator- Develops and coordinates garden activities such as taste parties, parent nights, harvest days, etc. This person may also be responsible for providing highlights of monthly garden activities to share with parents, School Nutrition, teachers, and the community.
o Volunteer Coordinator- Responsible for organizing volunteer schedule for the garden.
o Design Coordinator- Responsible for planning any artwork, painting, new garden additions, etc. that might be added to enhance the garden.
o Finance Coordinator- Prepares detailed budget (important for grant funding), deposits money, collects receipts, keeps record of “in kind” donations, etc.
· Determine/Finalize School Gardening Lead
o Will be the primary contact for the school garden at the select site
Step 4: Project Planning and Development
Step 4: Project Planning and Development
· Site Planning 8 | Loudoun County School Garden Toolkit 2016
o Master Plan with checklist of tasks o Budget o Work plan/schedule o Fundraising plan · Garden Organization o Leadership o Participant committees o Guideline development · Programming o Curriculum § Will the garden be used to teach one subject or multiple topics? § Can you use gardening activities to teach any of your required curriculum standards? § Does the garden compliment any existing activities offered at the school? · Please visit the School Nutrition website (www.lcpshealthycafe.org) to view our 2016-2017 School Nutrition Marketing Calendar. § Please refer to the School Garden Planning Calendar from New York Botanical Garden for curriculum and planning ideas by month.
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Step 4: Project Planning and Development (continued)
o Customized programs (see step 7 for possible examples) o Farm to Cafeteria § Please refer to the Garden-to-Cafeteria Best Practices section in this toolkit o Growing harvest for Backpack Buddy Program, Food Pantry and other community partnerships · Design Considerations o Prominent location o Relationship to school facilities o Garden size and features o Water source and accessibility o Soil Testing (optional) Step 5: Site Plan Approval · The primary garden contact or appointed person, must submit a work order for the Facilities Change Request in School Dude to LCPS Facilities Services. Ground breaking MUST not be initiated until you receive final approval from facilities. o The person who is responsible for entering work orders will vary by school, so please check with administration. o The request should include: § Description of school garden project that includes a diagram of where the school would like the garden located on campus. § The plan of care and use for the school garden. § If the school garden plans to use herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers on the garden, please specify so that facilities can approve. It is important to note that any of these things MUST be applied by a licensed applicator. If approved, the primary contact will need to supply facilities with a copy of the license from the company conducting these services.
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Step 5: Site Plan Approval (continued) o Things that facilities will look at to determine the approval of the school garden location are: . Marking the public utilities and LCPS owned utilities prior to ground breaking. . Checking to make sure the planned garden site is clear of any storm drainage inlets and that they are not directly against the walls of the schools. . Confirming that the planned garden is not directly attached to any school walls.
. Locating a water source.
Step 6: Garden Construction School Garden Wizard offers wonderful resources and diagrams for garden map drawing and planning in their Create the Garden Guide. The Collective School Garden Network is another guide that discusses creative development and planning ideas for school garden construction in their Designing Your School Garden Guide.
Step 7: School Garden-Related Programs Examples Descriptions of School Garden-Related Programs Each school garden program is designed to meet the unique needs of the population that the site serves. Depending on the school, one or more School Nutrition team member will work with the school community to develop garden programming. The following are programs that a school community may consider when deciding how to incorporate the garden into the culture and programs of the school.
Curriculum – Incorporating school gardens into the daily learning activities of the classroom is an essential piece to providing extraordinary opportunities to our students. A wide variety of resources in support of the school standards that can be easily incorporated into daily lesson plans, afterschool programs or extracurricular activities can be found. There are many free school garden curriculums that are available to teachers and volunteers. Please refer to the resources section for brief descriptions of what some of these publications can offer.
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Step 7: School Garden-Related Programs (continued)
Garden to Cafeteria – This program is an opportunity for Loudoun County students to grow fresh fruits and vegetables in their school gardens with the goal of supplying some of their harvest to the school cafeteria to be used in the cafeteria during the school year as well as over the summer for the summer meal program. The garden committee can work with the cafeteria manager at their school to establish their individual programs. Please refer to the Garden to Cafeteria Best Practices section of this toolkit.
Afterschool Garden Clubs – Including school garden activities in afterschool programs is a great way to get a smaller group of students in the garden or working on garden- related projects on a regular basis. Most groups meet once or twice a week in the spring and/or fall, using garden-related curriculum as the foundation for learning.
Summer Garden Clubs – Participating in the complete growing season through spring, summer and fall, deepens the educational experience for students. This allows the youth to follow the entire seed to harvest experience, along with making sure the garden is cared for during the summer months. Partner with existing summer programs or, if funds allow, create a new summer program that focuses on the care of the garden. Most groups meet once a week starting in June.
Connecting Generations – An intergenerational mentoring program bridges the school and community by bringing older adult community volunteers into the school to support garden-related programming. The goals of this program are to: strengthen school-based programming around gardens; support teachers and increase use of gardens year- round; support school science curriculum and improve academic achievement; improve the health and well-being of both the children and older adults; increase fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity; and strengthen social networks in the school community. Connecting Generations provides a solid base of trained, committed volun- teers that assist in many tasks such as supporting teachers when taking their kids out to the garden, facilitating and supporting afterschool or summer programs, and caring for the garden during the summer.
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Sustainability of School Gardens
Long term planning is critical to ensuring the success of any garden project. The program needs to anticipate the loss of members due to volunteer parents moving on as their children grow up and the retirement/or changing of schools of teachers and administrators. Planning, fundraising and maintenance are needed to ensure school garden success. The goal should be to gradually incorporate the school garden into the culture, goals and programs of the school. Communication between the school administration, teachers, parents, volunteers and cafeteria staff should be at the forefront and nurtured to ensure that the garden is built into the long-term vision of the school site.
Encouraging Ownership in the Garden Ownership in the garden is established over time among the school community members. As opposed to focusing on just the end goal of building a school garden, focusing on the process of organizing to create a school garden fosters lasting garden stewardship. Parents, teachers, administration and volunteers should be included in every step of the process of planning and implementing school gardens and related programs. Allowing everyone to get their hands dirty during garden planting and cleanup days is one of the best ways for your school community to feel an investment and responsibility for their new garden project.
Developing a Leadership Committee A leadership committee comprised of key teachers, parents, administration, neighbors and/ or volunteers helps to ease transitions in the school community and ensures representation of all garden stakeholders. The leadership committee organizes programming, coordinates volunteers, ensures proper maintenance of the garden, communicates relevant issues about the garden with the larger community and acts as a liaison between the school community and the general public while also managing garden funds. To prevent participant burnout, it is important that no one person is tasked with garden leadership; responsibility should be shared among committee members. Ideally this group would include at least one representative from each of your key stakeholders, including an administrator, an educator, a school nutrition staff member, a support staff member, a parent, a student, and a community volunteer. Having diverse leadership committee will result in a creative group with connections to a variety of resources. In order to sustain the program, new members should be recruited to serve on the garden committee on a regular basis. They will bring new ideas, new connections, and most importantly, new energy. Without new volunteers, the committee will grow stagnant and volunteers will burn out.
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Engaging the Community as Volunteers
Additionally, the effectiveness and sustainability of the school garden as an educational space is enhanced when it is supported by a committed group of volunteers, which might include parents, grandparents, school nutrition staff members, on-site community gardeners and/or neighbors. Edible gardens are high-maintenance so it is essential that support is provided to take care of the physical space. The garden must be cared for during the summer and winter when school is not in session, so that students can return to a thriving garden that is equipped for learning. Volunteers can become dedicated caretakers of the school plots over the summer, as well as important support within the school to support garden-related programming. Volunteers can also facilitate programs such as Garden to Cafeteria, seed starting in classrooms and cooking demonstrations using freshly harvested produce. Any ongoing volunteer program does require some management in training and supporting volunteers as they work through the nuances of the school community.
Funding Seeking funds for a new school garden project is always a shared effort among project partners including the school, parents, community, and any other participating organizations. Costs will vary depending on the size of the garden, what is being planted, and programs being offered. A fundraising plan is made specifically for each site. Community members can use their land- scape construction skills to apply for grants, seek donations, hold school fundraisers, or use their skills to offset the cost of construction labor. These efforts also encourage ownership of the garden.
Gardens costs will vary depending upon the following variables:
· Size/Area
Demolition (e.g., sod removal)
Linear feet of chain link fencing
Number of gates/entrances
Existence of community plots · Irrigation
Proximity of existing water connection and master meter
Number of spigots
Potential need for drip zones
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Gardens costs will vary depending upon the following variables (continued): · Garden Details Soil quality § Sites may opt to conduct soil testing to determine this. § Please note if creating a garden directly in the ground that is near asphalt, it is important to have the soil tested as some of the asphalt can leach into the soil over an extended period of time. Determining the style of garden that will be created § Will the site build raised bed boxes above the ground or put the garden directly in the ground? § Alternative garden structures can also be utilized such as garden tables, garden towers, hoop houses, and cold frames. Pathways and accessibility Tool storage Shade structures Benches/tables Compost bins Additional features Created themed gardens: § Green Heart Education has creative ideas for establishing school garden themes.
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Sustaining Existing School Gardens programs can be as or as a to make them, in turn costs needed to sustain garden There are grant and private funding resources that the to seeds, and other for the
Local and stores may be to donate to school projects.
Businesses and restaurants near to the school make great partners garden fundraisers. a to the to donate a of proceeds for a day your garden. At some schools Parent Teacher fundraising to be to support the as part of
Some farmers may donate excess plants or seeds. Taking time to look for funding online can also provide you with incredible resources to help the work of your garden. These can be found in the form of lesson plans, planting guides for your area, community partnerships, and more. Please refer to the Resources section in the appendix for links to helpful sites, and seek out your local Agricultural Extension service, Horticultural Society, or community garden for more local information. Please refer to the Loudoun County School Garden Resource Contact section in the Appendix for this information. Search these websites for funding opportunities that many school gardens are eligible for, and search for local Green Space Development grants or Child Health and Nutrition Grants. o National Farm-to-School Network (www.farmtoschool.org/fundingopps.php) o National Gardening Association (grants.kidsgardening.org/) o USDA Healthy Meals Grants Resource Library (healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/ professional-career-resources/grants) o USDA People's Garden (www.thepeoplesgarden.gov/) Specific grant programs: o Captain Planet Foundation (captainplanetfoundation.org/) o Corning Foundation (www.corning.com/about_us/corporate_citizenship/index.aspx) o Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation (http://responsibility.lowes.com/ community/our-programs/lowes-charitableand-educational-foundation/) o Toolbox for Education (http://www.toolboxforeducation.com/) o Nature of Learning Grant Program (www.fws.gov/refuges/education/ natureOfLearning/intro.html -orwww.nfwf.org/pages/grants/ home.aspx#.UWW7pitARRc) o Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grant Program (www.wholekidsfoundation.org/ gardengrants.php)
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School Garden Volunteers
It is a privilege to be invited to participate in the School Garden program on the grounds of a Loudoun County School. Participants are afforded the wonderful opportunity to interact with the school community including direct involvement with the school children though varying levels of involvement. As such, volunteers must comply with school volunteer policies. Background checks may be required based on county or school policies. Creating a volunteer sign-in sheet will help keep track of the volunteers in the garden.
Garden Safety Protocols for the School Garden
Gardening Tool Safety • No running in the garden • Children will be encouraged to use their hands (as opposed to tools) as much as possible when gardening. • All participants will be instructed as to proper handling of tools, including no running and carry tools face downward at their side. • Children must be supervised when gardening. • Participants who do not follow safety rules will not engage in gardening Food Safety Issues: • No use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides in the vegetable garden (unless approved by facilities)
No use of raw manure as fertilizer (unless approved by facilities) • All produce will be washed before being eaten
All participants will wash hands, using proper hand washing techniques, after being in the garden
Sliced fruit and vegetables from the garden must be stored in the appropriate containers and at the appropriate temperatures in order to prevent bacteria from growing.
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Garden Maintenance Guidelines
The gardens are intended to be utilized primarily during the growing seasons to include spring to early fall. During this time it will be the responsibility of the school gardening program primary contact to implement rules to ensuring proper maintenance of the garden. Items to consider are:
Removal of weeds
Tool/equipment maintenance
Watering schedules
Delegation of duties to teachers/classrooms Proper maintenance needs to be considered during the winter months and during summer months if use of the gardens is not continued. Schools must coordinate with their garden teams to determine who will be responsible for the garden during any extended breaks. This will also include discussing with the facilities team at each site to determine the best place to store unused items when they are not being used. Depending on the site, they may require a garden shed to be purchased for these items. Examples may include:
• chairs and individual benches • wire cages, fencing • plastic plant pots, tools paving stones and materials watering cans • wheel barrows, wagons • bags of compost or leaves • buckets, plastic container • pipes, hoses and nozzles • non-permanent garden art
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Essential School Garden Tools
Using the appropriate tools in the garden is vital for the continued success. When selecting tools, look for durable, well-made, properly sized products. Avoid inexpensive plastic tools that were intended to be toys because they break easily so will likely need to be replaced frequently. Consider purchasing garden tools that are developed specifically for your students, especially for elementary school gardens since they are smaller and not as heavy. Basic School Garden Tool List:
Hoe – for weeding, making planting furrows Metal garden rake – for smoothing soil Shovel – for turning soil, building beds, digging planting holes Hand trowels – for digging planting holes and removing deep-rooted weeds 3-pronged hand cultivators – for weeding and cultivating soil in small areas Hose – long enough to reach easily from spigot to far end of garden with a wand or nozzle to direct water flow Watering can – small enough for kids to carry when full Garden cart or wheelbarrow – for moving compost, plants, mulch Garden gloves (both adult and child sizes) – for keeping hands clean Materials:
Compost – to build soil fertility and quality Garden stakes and row markers – to keep track of where and what you plant o Have students paint or draw the item they are planting on river rocks, Popsicle sticks, recycled wood, etc. for a creative art project. String and tape measure – for measuring spacing between rows, beds, seeds, etc. Mulch material – to cover beds and pathways
The tools and supplies needed will vary depending on the size of garden and what is being planted. For instance, if you plan to grow climbing plants, you may need to build a trellis, and plants like tomatoes may need stakes or cages. You may want to purchase a compost bin to contain your garden debris as you compost it. Review your design plans as you make your needs list so that it can be as accurate as possible. This is helpful when seeking outside funding for the school garden.
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Garden-to-Cafeteria Best Practices
School Nutrition welcomes school grown produce in the meals we serve each day so that all students are able to make further connections between Garden-to-Cafeteria. Below are best practices for effectively incorporating school grown produce into school meals.
If the harvest from the school garden will be used in the school meals program, the school garden team should work cooperatively with cafeteria manager to plan and implement the harvest and delivery. Please refer to the Growing Guide for Most Common Vegetables Grown in School Gardens section of this toolkit.
Discuss food safety practices in the garden with school garden volunteers.
Produce harvested from school gardens that is intended for use in the cafeteria should be taken to the cafeteria manager.
If the produce is to be dropped off or left when staff is not present, please notify them in advance.
School Nutrition staff at each school will receive and inspect produce harvested from school gardens according to the same procedures used to inspect produce from the district’s distributors before serving for school meals.
Refrigerate garden produce immediately, unless the particular item is normally held at room temperature.
The School Nutrition staff will store, prepare, and serve school garden produce separately from other sources of produce to maintain traceability.
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Beets
Growing Guide for
May be planted in the spring (March through April) and in the fall (June through September). Most Common VegetablesRequire nutrient rich soil with pH range from 5.5 - 6.Grown in Plant when soil reaches 50 F. Require 7 School- 10 days to germinate (sprout). Gardens Quantity of seeds required to produce a 50 foot row is about 10 grams.
One 50 foot row would yield approximately 50 lbs. of beets.
Space 1 - 3 inches between plants.
Space 12 - 24 inches between rows.
Planting depth is 1/2 - 2 inches.
Require plenty of moisture and mulch (cover).
Mature in 50 to 70 days.
Begin thinning when young plants are about 4 to 5 inches tall.
Thinning of beets is necessary to prevent roots becoming intertwined.
Thinning can be done by snipping crowded seedlings with scissors.
Flavorful and colorful beets will best grow in cooler temperatures.
Require plenty of sunshine.
Harvest beats when the greens are not longer than 6 inches.
Store beets in a cool dry storage.
Nutrition Education Activity: The University of Hawaii developed their Two Beets or Not Two Beets- What Is Your Question lesson to help students explore the best growing conditions for root vegetables such as beets and carrots.
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Beets
May be planted in the spring (March through April) and in the fall (June through September).
Require nutrient rich soil with pH range from 5.5 - 6.
Plant when soil reaches 50 F.
Require 7 - 10 days to germinate (sprout).
Quantity of seeds required to produce a 50 foot row is about 10 grams.
One 50 foot row would yield approximately 50 lbs. of beets.
Space 1 - 3 inches between plants.
Space 12 - 24 inches between rows.
Planting depth is 1/2 - 2 inches.
Require plenty of moisture and mulch (cover).
Mature in 50 to 70 days.
Begin thinning when young plants are about 4 to 5 inches tall.
Thinning of beets is necessary to prevent roots becoming intertwined.
Thinning can be done by snipping crowded seedlings with scissors.
Flavorful and colorful beets will best grow in cooler temperatures.
Require plenty of sunshine.
Harvest beats when the greens are not longer than 6 inches.
Store beets in a cool dry storage.
Nutrition Education Activity: The University of Hawaii developed their Two Beets or Not Two Beets- What Is Your Question lesson to help students explore the best growing conditions for root vegetables such as beets and carrots.
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Carrots
Plant in the spring 2 - 3 weeks before last frost date.
Require to be planted in deep, well drained, sandy soil with pH range from 6 to 6.8.
Germinate (grows from a seed) in about 14 to 21 days in temperature range of 50 to 85 F.
Water daily if soil is dry.
If weather is dry, germination can be improved by creating a 2 inch deep furrow.
Mulch (cover) to retain moisture and speed up germination.
Quantity of seeds required to produce a 50 foot row is about 10 - 15 grams.
One 50 foot row would yield approximately 45 lbs. of carrots.
Space 1 - 3 inches between plants.
Space 18 - 36 inches between rows.
Planting depth is ¼- 1/2 inches.
Thinning is required to prevent intertwining of roots.
When plants are approximately 1 inch tall, thin by snipping with scissors to make them 3 inches apart.
Water 1 inch deep at least once per week.
Remove weeds thoroughly.
Root quality is best when the soil is 60 to 70 degrees.
Mature at around 2 ½ months and ½ inch in diameter.
To store freshly harvested carrots, twist off the tops, scrub off the dirt under cold running water, let dry, seal in airtight plastic bags and refrigerate.
Nutrition Education Activity: Carrots can help students to understand the compost cycle. Begin by harvesting early fall carrots, taste testing and delivering the tops to the compost pile. Turn the compost and learn about all that's happening in- side, and use your ready compost to prepare the carrot bed for a late fall planting.
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Cucumbers
Should be planted not earlier than 2 weeks after the last spring frost day.
Plan when the weather is warm (at least 65 F), because they will not grow well in cool weather.
Require consistent, well moist, organic soil or compost until vegetable ripens.
Germination takes about 7 - 10 days.
Quantity required to produce a 50 foot row is about 10 grams or 350 seeds.
One 50 foot row will yield about 60 lbs. of cucumbers.
Space 6 - 12 inches between plants.
Space 36 - 60 inches between rows.
Germination temperature 60 - 90 F.
Require black plastic mulch to protect plants and speed up warming.
If planting in the ground, cover plants with netting to prevent pests from digging out the seeds.
Yellow leaves indicate nitrogen deficiency, requiring additions of Nitrogen rich soil.
Harvesting depends on a typical length of cucumber type.
Covering cucumbers in plastic wrap will help to retain moisture.
Nutrition Education Activity: The cell structure of cucumbers allows them to be great learning tools to discuss the process of Osmosis to students. The Teacher’s Corner provides a detailed Osmosis Science Experiment that can utilize cucumbers.
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Kale
Can be planted in early spring or early summer.
Matures in 55 - 60 days.
Approximately 5 pounds of kale can be produced in one 4 foot row per season.
Requires sunshine to grow, but also needs some shade during very hot weather.
Requires well drained soil, high in organic matter.
Space seeds 1 inch apart.
Space rows 18 to 30 inches apart.
Soil pH should be within the range of 6 to 7.5.
Germination temperature is 45 to 85 F.
Germinates from 4 to 7 days.
Plant seeds from ¼ to ½ inch deep.
After about 2 weeks, thin the seedlings so that they are spaced 8 to 12 inches apart.
Water the plants regularly but not excessively.
Kale is ready to be harvested when leaves are about the size of a hand.
Leave the center top bud in order to keep the plant productive.
Nutrition Education Activity: My Kid Adventures provides a wonderful procedure guide for Plant Chromatography. This is a great way for students to explore the various colors hidden in the leaves while discussing what causes leaves on trees and plants to change colors.
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Lettuce
Germinates in 7 - 10 days.
Quantity of seeds required to produce a 50 foot row is about 10 grams.
One 50 ft. row will yield about 25 lbs. of leaf lettuce.
Space plants 1.5 inches apart.
Space rows 18-36 inches apart.
Planting depth is ¼ - 1/2 inches.
Matures in 65 - 75 days.
Can be planted during mild weather in the spring or in the fall.
Grows well when outside temperature ranges from 45 F to 65 F.
Requires well drained and constantly moist soil that is supplied well with organic matter (compost, manure, or leaf mold).
Space 6 to 18 inches apart (check tag).
Water regularly during dry weather.
Cover with organic mulch to keep soil cool and moist to prevent weeds.
Harvest lettuce by removing leaves from outside of the plant and allow center leaves to grow.
When harvesting, leave the central bud to grow more leaves.
Leave wilting can be resolved by sprinkling them with water.
Remove weeds by hand and be careful with shallow plant roots.
Plan your garden to allow lettuce to be in the shade of taller plants. During warm weather lettuce may begin to bolt (produce flowers) and become inedible.
After harvesting, place lettuce in a plastic bag and store in refrigerator.
Nutrition Education Activity: The University of Hawaii’s “Lettuce” Learn About the Water Cycle lesson allows students to create indoor lettuce greenhouses utilizing sealed plastic bags so that students can explore the water cycle.
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Radishes
Can be planted in the spring or in the fall.
Germinate in 5 - 7 days.
Germination temperature is 55 - 85 F.
Grows best in cool weather (50 - 55 F).
Quantity required to plant a 50 foot row is about 10 - 25 grams of seeds.
One 50 ft. row will yield about 50 bunches of radishes.
Space 1 inch between plants.
Space 12 - 18 inches between rows.
Planting depth is approximately ¼ inches.
Radishes require well drained consistently moist soil.
Before planting make sure that manure or compost has been worked into the soil.
Radishes require plenty of sunlight.
Harvest in about 3 weeks after planting.
Do not leave in the ground for an extended period of time.
Nutrition Education Activity: Try planting in a box where students are able to see the roots so they can learn about the underground growth of plants. Discuss the organisms present in the soil, nutrient cycles and the water cycle, as well as geology.
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Squash
Requires well-drained, fertile soil, high in organic matter with pH range between 5.8 and 6.8. Work compost and plenty of organic matter into the soil before planting. Require consistent moisture from the time they emerge until squash begins to grow. Germination temperature is from 60 to 105. Germinates best at 95 F. Germinates in 7 - 12 days. Quantity of seeds required to plant a 50 foot row is about 10 grams (40-50 seeds). One 50 foot row would yield about 45 lbs of squash. Space 12 to 18 inches between plants. Space 36 to 48 inches between rows. Planting depth is approximately 1 inch. Squash requires warm soil of at least 60 F at a 2 inch depth; very sensitive to frost. Thinning is required to prevent crowding of leaves and intertwining of roots. When the plants are 2 to 3 inches tall, thin to 2 to 3 plants per hill. This can be done by snipping off unwanted plants without disturbing the roots of the remaining once. Cover with mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. When the first blooms appear, apply a small amount of fertilizer as a side dress application. Water squash most thoroughly when fruits form and throughout their growth period Water at least 4 inches deep at least once a week. After harvest begins, fertilize occasionally for vigorous growth and lots of fruits. If your fruits are deformed, they might not have received enough water or fertilization. Nutrition Education Activity: Plant corn, beans, and squash to learn about companion planting, symbiotic relationships, and the history of Native tribes in America.
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Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are grown from slips, which are sprouts that are grown from stored sweet potatoes. One potato should yield about 12 plants. Sweet potatoes produce long wines and require a lot of space to grow. Ideal pH ranges from 5.8 to 6.2. Space 12 to 18 inches apart. Sweet potatoes require frequent watering, especially during hot and dry periods. Nutrition Education Activity: Sweet potatoes are typically grown from “slips,” which are shoots from a mature potato. Conduct a simple science experiment in agriculture by growing your own sweet potato slips. Science Buddies provides a wonderful lesson plan for Sprouting Sweet Potato Slips.
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School Garden Program and Curriculum Resources
Slow Food USA School Garden Wizard www.schoolgardenwizard.org An online guide www.gardens.slowfoodusa.org Provides free garden-based education for creating and supporting school gardens resources, including complete curriculum developed for America’s K-12 school guides with an emphasis on youth education. community through a partnership between the U.S. Botanic Garden and Chicago Botanic USDA Office of Food and Nutrition Service Garden. www.fns.usda.gov Harvest of the Month Provides free standards-based school garden www.harvestofthemonth.com Tools and and nutrition education curriculum and resources to give students hands on resources for K-12. The Dig In! school garden opportunities to explore, taste, and learn education series targets grades 5-6 while the about the importance of eating fruits and Grow It, Try It, Like It! series targets grade K. vegetables. GreenKids Grow to Learn NYC www.anshome.org www.growtolearn.org GreenKids is a grant-funded educational A NYC-based program that focuses on outreach program of the Audubon Naturalist sustainability methods of school gardens. Society. GreenKids provides participating Provides free garden-based curriculum and public schools with two years of free learning tools. resources and field experiences to foster watershed stewardship and environmental National Gardening Association literacy while meeting established curriculum www.kidsgardening.org goals. Supports school and youth school gardens through curriculum tools, projects, garden Real Food for Kids planning, and grant resources. www.realfoodforkids.org Real Food For Kids is committed to working in Virginia Cooperative Extension collaboration with our partners to increase www.ext.vt.edu the quantities of healthful foods in our school Provides free tools and resources relating to systems, developing and delivering programs school gardens and nutrition education, that educate our students and their families toolkits on native garden planning, as well as on making healthier lifestyle choices, and request forms for soil testing kits. ensuring access to real whole foods for all school children. Whole Kids Foundation www.wholekidsfoundation.org Collective School Garden Network Resource for grants, school garden www.csgn.org curriculum, garden planning ideas, and marketing resources. The Foundation’s mission is to plant and sustain a fruit and vegetable garden in every Life Lab willing Arizona and California school. Edible www.lifelab.org school gardens give children the opportunity Resource that provides free garden-based to learn where their food comes from and the education and planning resources for K-12. importance of good nutrition. They provide free garden planning and curriculum materials that can be applied in any state.
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Loudoun County School Garden Resources
Dr. Becky Domokos-Bays, RD, SNS Supervisor, School Nutrition Loudoun County Public Schools www.lcpshealthycafe.org Email: [email protected] Phone: (571) 252-1010
Stefanie Dove, RDN, School Nutrition Marketing Coordinator Loudoun County Public Schools www.lcpshealthycafe.org Email: [email protected] Phone: (571) 2521010
Diane Bayless, Co-lead, Children’s Education Team Loudoun County Master Gardeners www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org Email: [email protected]
Jennifer Brady, Health Educator Loudoun County Health Department www.loudoun.gov/health Email: [email protected]
This toolkit includes text and ideas from the following publications:
The old farmer’s almanac (2015). Retrieved from http://www.almanac.com/plant/
Cornell University. Home Gardening. Vegetable Growing Guide. 2006. Retrieved from http:// www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/sceneb771.html
Veseys. Planting Chart. Retrieved from https://www.veseys.com/us/en/learn/reference/plantingchart Sigler J. (2013). Fruit and Vegetable Gardening A-Z Kale. A guide to gardening, growing and harvesting vegetables. Retrieved from http://sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=1314
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LCPS School Garden Contacts as of June 2016
School Garden Contact Algonkian Please check with school Belmont Ridge Please check with school Belmont Station Please check with school Catoctin Candi Chinn Creighton’s Corner Please check with school Dominion HS Heather Cox Eagle Ridge Please check with school Frances Hazel Reid Please check with school Frederick Douglass Marykirk Cunningham Guilford Mark Pankau Hamilton Please check with school Hillsboro Stacie Kling Hillside Raymond Lemp Hutchinson Farm Please check with school J.M. Lunsford Please check with school Liberty Caroyl Massullo Lincoln Dave Michener Lovettsville Roxanna Horton Lowes Island Bruce Shafferman Lucketts Please check with school Meadowland First Grade Mill Run Please check with school Mountain View Teri Teeter Pinebrook Jessica Pack Potowmack Chris Gall Round Hill Sally Hash Selden’s Landing Kelly Wagner Seneca Ridge Carrie Clark Smart’s Mill Natalie Pien Sterling ES Jamie Rubinos Sugarland Jenn Graydon Sully First Grade Sycolin Creek Derek Racino Woodgrove32 | Loudoun County SchoolMartha Garden Potts Toolkit 2016