Responsibility
 Respect
 Integrity


 

 

Above: Staff member Wendy Nicolle has coordinated the Edible Garden Project since the garden was established in 2001.
 
 

Garden Diary
 
  During the 2001 May school holidays, two classrooms were re-moved from the western end of Unit 2.
 
  During October 2001, the fence was erected around the garden area.
 
 
  In November 2001, the families held a working bee to construct the raised beds using sleepers.
 
  Soon after, we invited Jackie Hunter, perma-culture consultant, who has set up or been involved with other schools and their gardens, to talk about her ideas to a group of the parents involved in the project.
 
  Contacted Wesfarmers at McLaren Vale and Sanderson’s at Coromandel Valley about what they suggest we use as a green crop.  They were kind enough to donate quite a few Faba Beans and Field Peas for us to grow. 
 

Above: The rain water tank in the garden.  This is carefully  monitored so that every precious drop is used wisely.
 
  In June 2002, children from the families involved planted the green crop in one of the beds, many planting their initials.
 
  In late June 2002, classes were given a small plot to plant the green crop.  Most were in some kind of pattern appropriate to their class.
 
  In August 2002 the Green Crop is dug in.
 
  Finally, In September 2002 the first vegetables are planted by 12 classes and 8 families.
 

Mrs. Bailey's class planted a "B" and a '1' and '2' for their year.
 

 

The Edible Garden provides an excellent "hands-on" learning experience for our stud
 

Responsibility
 Respect
 Integrity
 


Students working in the edible garden

Establishment of Our Edible Garden
There have always been veggie patches in school grounds.   Usually they are set up by a keen teacher and thrive for a while until that teacher moves on or the interest wanes. At Happy Valley we have certainly had garden plots, which have been set up and used very effectively by individual teachers. However, the up-keep of the plots and protection from vandalism were issues. The small space available and the low profile that the veggie garden concept had, meant that there was not widespread use, by classes, of what could have been a valuable learning resource.
 

The opportunity to develop a bigger garden with a higher profile, came about in 2001, when transportable buildings T7 & T8 were relocated to other schools at the beginning of Term 2.  This move created a large empty space in a sunny position.  We were able to negotiate funds from DETE to help us make good the area.

During that term we put forward the idea of a sustainable edible garden that didn’t rely on an individual’s sole input; one that would become an essential curriculum resource at our school and operate as a matter of course, not as a good idea for the moment.

Garden Management
To ensure the Happy Valley School Garden continues over many years, it was decided to have a core of families overseeing the process.

  • The families will be responsible for the general up keep and maintenance of the garden (Sleepers, fences etc.).

  • The families will coordinate the holiday watering.

  • The families will oversee the way the garden is run; making sure the Principles are adhered to.

  • A small plot will be reserved for the children of the families involved.

Students planting the first seeds in the Edible Garden in 2002.

Students digging in the nitrogen rich green crop in June 2002.

 The founding members of the Edible Garden Project were:

  • Travis and John & Dianne Gordon

  • Emma and Robert Hillman

  • Nicki and Suzanne Hein

  • Ashley and Dariani Bosworth (this family moved interstate at the end of 2001 and Laura, Alex and Louise O’Brien took their place)

  • Craig and Rob Goldfinch

  • Travis and Sharon Kreslin

  • Darcy, Courtney and Wendy Nicolle

Plus the Environmental Committee: Mike Lane, Grant Anderson, Heather Jesshope (2001), Wendy Nicolle, Di Neill (2001), Brian Marshall and Margaret Kellett (2002).

Matty, Talia and Samantha from Ms Williams'/Mr Francis' class in the Edible Garden.

Adrian and Jonathon from Mrs. Saunder’s class check how the plants are growing. 

Principles We Have Followed
 Permaculture: is a word that describes the inter-relationships and interdependence of living things and their environment.  Although our garden area is limited in size there is still much we can work with and discuss in our classes.

We can weave together microclimate, annual and perennial plants, animals (bugs, grubs, reptiles and birds), soils, water management and human need. This will give us all an opportunity to investigate, experiment, contemplate, observe, problem solve and learn.

Tyler, Jordan, Nathanael and Ashlee from Ros Edwards' class with the Scarecrow constructed for their corn, parsley and sunflower garden plot.  Sue Higgins' class constructed the scarecrow.

Our Principles in Practice
Organic:  We want our garden to be grown organically; no chemicals added.

The areas of our garden that are not planted will be covered in mulch.  The school will supply pea straw. Many families have access to horse or cow manure, even the leaves you sweep up at home can be bought along and added.

Pests and diseases: can be kept at bay naturally, too.  A roster can be set up to have a caterpillar hunt each morning.  Garlic water is another very successful remedy. 

Composting:  Happy Valley School has a well set up worm farm which we will continue to utilize.  We aim to have compost bins in the garden that can be used on a rotational basis.

Rain water tank:  We have a rain water tank in the garden.  This will have to be monitored as it will not be able to supply the whole garden all year round.


Trevor Sherriff and Mike Lane in the garden in 2001

 

 

 

 

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