SCHOOL GARDEN 101 AND 201: TWO SIMPLE COURSES THAT EMPOWER SCHOOL STAFF TO PLAN, INSTALL AND EFFECTIVELY USE GARDENS
Horticulture & Turfgrass
Marjorie Peronto
EXTENSION EDUCATOR
ELLSWORTH
Abstract
Schoolyard gardens and greenhouses have experienced a tremendous resurgence in Maine. Projects begin with great enthusiasm, but in too many cases, due to inadequate planning, pinched budgets and lack of horticultural know-how, the gardens become neglected weed patches, and greenhouses serve as storage places for athletic equipment. School Garden 101 is a five-part course that provides school staff with basic organic gardening skills, focused planning time, networking opportunities, and curriculum ideas to start and manage a school vegetable garden that is tied to the classrooms and cafeteria. School Garden 201 is a two-part course for schools with established gardens that focuses on the advanced techniques of succession planting and season extension, and introduces a process to fully integrate gardens throughout the school system. Thirty-four school teachers, cooks, aides and health coordinators from twenty schools have participated in school gardening training since the spring of 2010. Of the twenty schools, 1) eight schools have started new gardens, 2) seven schools have expanded existing gardens, 3) seven schools have started vermiculture systems to compost food wastes 4) twelve schools provided fresh produce to their cafeteria, and 5) twenty schools developed and incorporated garden-based learning activities into their classrooms.
Authors: Peronto, M.
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Peronto, M. Extension Educator, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Maine, 04605