Plateau school veggie garden and orchard

Plateau School Veggie Garden and Orchard Proposed plan

Purpose of this plan
To ensure there is a clear goal and plan for the veggie plots and orchard
To ensure all helpers are aware of the goals and plan
To set out the roles, responsibilities and the ground rules
To get the most out of this great asset

What ’ s the goal?
Teach the kids how to grow fruit and veggietables
Grow stuff that is easy, and kids like to eat
Make the plots as productive as possible
Let the kids eat the produce from the veggie plot and orchard at harvest time
Give the kids opportunity to take ownership and responsibility of their class plot

What will the kids learn?
Throughout the course of the season kids will learn to:
Prepare soil
Sow seed
Transplant seedlings
Water
Weed
Stake and maintain plants
Harvest
Prune
Other gardening activities like mulching, labelling etc

The veggie plot plan
veggie plots:
Each class will have one garden plot to nurture.
There will be one extra plot for strawberries that has no designated class – yum.
Pumpkin patch:
Set up designated pumpkin patch behind veggie beds or back of hall
Each class plants several pumpkin seeds/varieties
Have a biggest pumpkin competition
Sell at the gala or take home for yummy soup next autumn.

The veggie plot plan
What to plant:
Max of two varieties per plot
Varieties that have a good chance of a successful harvest
veggie ’ s that have a quick harvest
Things the kids like
Class to choose from:
Cherry tomatoes
Snow peas
Peas
Beans
Sunflowers
Corn (would need full plot)
Potatoes (full plot)
etc

How will this work?
Class reps:
Approx 4 representatives from each class to have “ garden time ” with an adult helper for up to 1 hour per fortnight or as needed.
Garden time will be used for sowing, weeding, harvesting etc.
Reps can rotate to ensure all kids interested get to have a go.
Reps water plots and pumpkin patch during week on breaks.
Parent/Community help:
Adult help is needed to teach and supervise the class reps
Require approx 3 hours help per week total
Request help from green fingered parents and the Te Marua community, through newsletters or mail drops.
Sharon Lysaght is happy to co-ordinate this coming season but will require support from other adults.
A schedule for “ garden time ” will be worked out with teachers and adults once we know our their availability.

The orchard plan
What to plant:
What kids will eat
Low maintenance, disease resistant, hardy varieties
Early and late varieties to prolong harvest period
Trees known for reliable and prolific harvests
Dwarf rootstock to make harvest easy
Initial planting suggestion:
Apples – x 6 (3 different varieties)
Pears - x 4 (2 different varieties – espaliered)
Plums – x 2 (1 variety)
Passionfruit – x 4 (these have approx 5 yr life so will need to be replaced regularly)
Feijoa x 8 (2 varieties)
Note: Some trees will bear from 2 years. Expect orchard in full production at 4 years.

The Orchard Plan
Where to plant:
Behind main class room block by compost (Apples, pears, passionfruit)
Hall end of the field (plums, feijoa ’ s)
Initial planting will be achieved by a working bee
Care:
Pruning and spraying (if needed) once per year
Watering over summer months
Regular clearing of deadfall to reduce amount of bugs/wasps during harvest

The Orchard Plan
Cost:
Oderings will provide 20% discount
Total cost of initial planting estimated at $460 (including discount) plus approx $80 for stakes, wire and ties.
Funding options:
We ask parents to donate specific amount for a tree
Could choose from our list of varieties/prices e.g. $10, $22, $30
Plaque denotes their donation
We ask parents for donations towards an orchard fund
No specific family donated tree
We apply for a community grant
We may missthe opportunity to plant this year

Ground rules
The class that owns the plot can decide what to do with the harvest
Kids can help themselves to strawberries as they ripen
If it isn ’ t ripe don ’ t pick it
If you ’ re helping in the garden you will must participate fully and be prepared to do jobs you may not like
Always wear gloves when working with plants and the soil
Always wash your hands after gardening

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Plateau school veggie garden and orchard

by Plateau School on Sep 26, 2011

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Plateau school veggie garden and orchard — Presentation Transcript