In 2009 Crondall Primary School joined the Food for Life programme and became a flagship school for Hampshire. One of the most exciting projects to be embarked upon was the creating of the organic kitchen garden. A grant was applied for from the National Lottery Local Food Small Grants organisation and the following is a record of our progress.
PLANNING:
A steering committee comprising of Megan Robinson (Head teacher), Paul Sadler (from Garden Organics) and parents was established to plan the garden itself, maintain it once built and involve and educate the children, parents, members of the community and other schools. The long term future of the garden was considered along with the continuity of education for the children and staff. A design for the garden was drawn up by the parents.
FUNDING:
The committee applied for a small grant from the Local Food section of The National Lottery. Once the grant was approved work could begin!
BUILDING THE GARDEN:
Apart from the perimeter fence, which was erected by a local firm, the entire garden was designed and built by parent volunteers from Crondall Primary School. The site was first levelled using a small digger. The raised beds were constructed from untreated oak sleepers and secured with Timberlock screws. The design of the garden allows for ample space between the beds for wheelbarrows and groups of children to congregate. As the soil was very heavy with a large clay content and full of stones and rubble, all the soil going back into the raised beds was sieved by hand. A good layer of well rotted horse manure was then worked in.
The diagram below shows the layout of the raised beds. They range from 1 sleeper to 3 sleepers high.
Concrete foundations for the potting shed, tool shed and greenhouse were laid. The maximum size potting shed and greenhouse were ordered to enable groups of children to garden and learn together. These were erected during the early autumn. Guttering was fitted and water butts attached.
Four large compost bins were constructed to accommodate garden waste, fresh organic kitchen waste as well as organic waste from the classrooms and the staffroom (each classroom has a compost bin which is emptied daily).
Finally, heavy gauge weed matting was laid between all the raised beds and covered with a thick layer of wood chips to make safe, clean paths.
PLANTING:
Blackcurrant and gooseberry bushes, strawberry plants, raspberry canes and rhubarb were all planted by the children in the autumn, along with apple and plum trees which have been espaliered against the chain link fence.
The children have already begun planting for this year and we have a greenhouse and potting shed bulging at the seams with seed trays and pots of various vegetables. Each year was allocated a vegetable family and they have chosen what they are going to grow in their beds. The children will remain with their allotted beds as they progress through the school to allow for crop rotation. By the time they reach Year 6, they will have grown vegetables from all the families and their beds should remain healthy. Plans to sell any excess plants to the community have been advertised, this has ensured that every child has planted seeds whilst providing an opportunity to make the garden sustainable.
EDUCATION:
A portion of the funding was allocated to employing a gardener (we have two who job share), to oversee the running of the garden, teaching the children about plants, planting techniques, composting and the environment. This has proved highly successful.
Crondall Primary School is a Flagship School and we are very keen to promote healthy living. We are willing to share our experience with anyone who is interested in starting a garden, or who would like to visit the school, or simply like further information on the garden that we have made.
We will be updating this case study every 6 months to show the results of each growing season.
