Dig in:
Once you have established your goals and gathered support, you are ready to get into the garden. You will need to evaluate your site, plan a design for your garden and obtain tools. Try not to get bogged down in the details and hard work. Remember that the garden is for kids to learn in and to explore. When designing, keep an open mind and maintain an adventurous attitude. Look at the garden through the eyes of a child.
Start by evaluating your site. There are a number of factors to consider. You need a site with easy access to water, access to classrooms, a minimum of 6 hours of full sun and some way to protect against vandalism. The soil texture and drainage are also important items to determine. You may want to complete home soil tests or you can contact the Texas Agricultural Extension Service for a soil testing kit. If you do not have much space, consider a container garden in a courtyard or on the playground.
Once you have evaluated the site, you will want to plan/design your garden. The components of your garden will depend on your site and your goals. You may want separate classroom gardens, community gardens, a special project area, a greenhouse or cold frame, a compost area, a tool shed and/or a classroom meeting area. There are a lot of ideas published on gardens for children.
If you are planting a vegetable garden, pay close attention to harvest timing. Use plants that will produce by the end of a semester.
Before you can put in your design, you will need to collect supplies including tools and plants. Tools will be an important investment for your garden. Quality tools are the best buy because they will last longer and be safer to use. Try to find child size tools when possible but have a few adult size tools for the volunteers and big jobs. A good collection of tools will include: hoes, rakes, trowels, shovels, a wheelbarrow or cart, water hoses, a watering can, harvest knives or pruners and buckets. You may also need soil amendments and fertilizers to prepare your soil for planting.
When you are ready for the plants, try and find as much donated and discounted materials as possible. Also check out what nursery and seed companies have to offer. If you choose to purchase seeds, make sure you have room to sprout them indoors or find seeds that may be sown directly outside. Check germination requirements and timing.
The last step is to maintain your garden.
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