Sustainable Schools

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20 reasons to have a garden in your school

The garden provides a context for understanding seasonality and life cycles.
It’s an opportunity to work cooperatively on real tasks.
Sensory experience becomes a part of a child’s day at school.
The garden provides opportunities for one-on-one time for teachers and students to talk.
The garden creates a common experience to build on in multiple settings – from classroom to celebration.
Students understand the role of food in life – the garden allows us to improve nutrition and highlight healthy foods.
Students learn about where food really comes from.
Garden experiences reinforce classroom curriculum.
Gardens provide opportunities for community involvement – a link with neighbours, volunteers, parents and community businesses.
A garden offers opportunities to teach life skills such as gardening and cooking.
The garden setting helps broaden the way teachers look at both curriculum and their students.
The garden provides a connection for the students to their school.
The garden can provide a context for rituals and celebrations.
A garden promotes risk taking, such as trying new foods, activities and friends.
Students value the garden – their sense of pride and ownership discourages vandalism.
The garden offers opportunities for students to practice their observation skills.
In the garden students build vocabulary both small and large.
The garden offers opportunities to integrate curriculum across subject areas.
In the garden, students can observe all of the principles of ecology in practice.
The skills and messages students learn about healthy food in the school garden can be transferred back to their homes.

For more information see:
http://www.edibleschoolyard.org/howto.html

Pumpkins

What some ACT schools are doing with their gardens?

Hawker Primary School – market days

Students at Hawker PS are very proud of their courtyard garden. When produce is ripe and plentiful the students hold a market day where they sell their produce to the school community. The money they raise helps purchase more seeds and materials for their next crop

Canberra Girls Grammar Junior School – produce to nursing home

Vegetable garden

The students at Girls Grammar Junior School have a number of raised garden beds that they built from a grant.
The students give their produce to the nearby nursing home.

Evatt Primary School

Evatt Primary School have used some of their produce for cooking. They have a number of raised garden beds in their environment centre as well as water tanks, worm farms and a greenhouse.

Curtin Primary School – produce sold at school fair

Curtin Primary School students have established a raised garden bed in their senior courtyard. Produce ripe and ready around the time of the school fair is sold at the fair.

Recipe ideas:

Planting Calendar

Devised by Annette McFarlane, and printed in The Sunday Mail, 11 January 2004

WINTER

Slowed growth provides an opportunity to tackle major landscaping projects. Frost plagues inland gardeners, but elsewhere attention should be paid to make optimum use of scarce water resources.

Seasonal tasks

Plant roses, deciduous trees and shrubs and frangipani cuttings
Prune roses, deciduous plants and swollen gallwasp stems on citrus
Relocate poorly positioned trees and shrubs to new areas
Control carrot-like bindii eye weed in lawn to avoid painful burrs during summer
Fertilise citrus, passion fruit, native plants and emerging bulbs

June

In bloom: camellia, colvillea, grevillea, ipomoea vine, poinsettia and tabebuia

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, petunia, marigold
Tropical: amaranthus, begonia, cosmos, celosia, gomphrena, phlox, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia and zinnia
Subtropical: calendula, cornflower, dianthus, kale, lobelia, nemesia, pansy, phlox, statice, straw flower and viola
Cool temperate: As for subtropical plus candytuft, cineraria, clarkia, delphinium, English daisy, godetia, hollyhock, larkspur, linaria, lupin, nigella, polyanthus, poppy, primula, schizanthus, snapdragon, stock, sweet pea, sweet William and wallflower

Vegetables to plant

All zones: carrot, cauliflower, kohl rabi, lettuce, radish, spring onion and turnip
Tropical: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, French beans, garlic, leeks, potatoes, pumpkin, silverbeet, squash, swede, sweet potatoes and tomato
Subtropical: beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, celery, endive, French beans, garlic, leeks, onions, parsnip, peas, potatoes, silverbeet, spinach, swede, sweet potatoes and tomato
Cool temperate: parsnip and peas

July

In bloom: wattle, shower orchid (Congea) dombeya, coral tree (Erythrina), orange trumpet vine (Pyrostegia)

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, petunia, marigold
Tropical: amaranthus, begonia, cosmos, celosia, gomphrena, phlox, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia and zinnia
Subtropical: amaranthus, cosmos, gomphrena, phlox, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, terenia and zinnia
Cool temperate: calendula, candy tuft, dianthus, kale, lobelia, nemesia, pansy, phlox, primula, statice, straw flower, verbena, viola

Vegetables to plant

All zones: carrot, kohl rabi, lettuce, radish, spring onion and turnip
Tropical: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, French beans, garlic, leeks, potatoes, pumpkin, silverbeet, squash, swede, sweet potato and tomato
Subtropical: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, celery, endive, French beans, garlic, leeks, peas, potatoes, silverbeet, swede, sweet potato and tomato
Cool temperate: cauliflower, garlic, parsnip and peas

August

In bloom: azalea, Geraldton wax, jasmine, magnolia and tabebuia

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, petunia, marigold
Tropical: amaranthus, begonia, cosmos, celosia, gomphrena, phlox, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia and zinnia
Subtropical: amaranthus, begonia, celosia, cosmos, gomphrena, salvia, sunflower and zinnia
Cool temperate: calendula, lobelia, nenesia, pansy. phlox, statice, straw flower and viola

Vegetables to plant

All zones: kohl rabi, lettuce and radish
Tropical/Subtropical: beetroot, carrot, capsicum, celery, cucumber, egg plant, French beans, okra, potatoes, pumpkin, silverbeet, spring onions, squash, sweet potato, tomato and zucchini
Cool temperate: cabbage, cauliflower, celery and silverbeet

SPRING

It is easy to be inspired by the colour and perfume of annuals and bulbs in flower in temperate and subtropical regions. Even as the buildup to the set season begins, flower and vegetable gardens in the tropics continue to soldier on. Visit your local nursery to check out new release plants and the latest gardening trends.

Seasonal tasks

Fertilise bulbs, pawpaws, citrus and roses
Protect seedlings from snails and slugs with non-toxic, iron-based baits
Prune azaleas, hibiscus, poinsettias, and snowflake bush after flowering
Repot and fertilise indoor plants
Control azalea lace bug, aphids, scale, leaf miner and bronze orange bugs

September

In bloom: deciduous trees, azaleas, cymbidium orchids, hippeastrum, bombax tree and Marguerite daisy

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, begonia, cosmos, marigold and petunia
Tropical: amaranthus, celosia, gomphrena, phlox, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia and zinnia
Subtropical/Cool temperate: amaranthus, celosia, cleome, gomphrena, phlox, protulaca, slavia, sunflower, torenia and zinnia

Vegetables to plant

All zones: carrot, choko, cucumber, eggplant, French beans, lettuce, radish, spring onion, squash and tomato
Tropical: capsicum, kohl rabi, okra, pumpkin, rockmelon, rosella, sweet potato, tomato, watermelon and zucchini
Subtropical: beetroot, capsicum, kohl rabi, okra, pumpkin, rockmelon, rosella, silver beet, sweet corn, seet potato, watermelon and zucchini
Cool temperate: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, silver beet and sweet corn

October

In bloom: callistemon, jacaranda, tree waratah (alloxylon), May bush, native frangipani (Hymenosporum), and star jasmine

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, amaranthus,begonia, cosmos, marigold, petunia, portulaca, salvia, torenia and zinnia
Tropical: gomphrena and phlox
Subtropical/Cool temperate: as for tropics plus aster, celosia, cleome and sunflower

Vegetables to plant

All zones: capsicum, choko, cucumber, eggplant, French beans, lettuce, okra, pumpkin,radish, spring onion, tomato and zucchini
Tropical: rockmelon, rosella, squash, sweet potato and watermelon
Subtropical: as for tropical plus sweet corn
Cool temperate: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, celery, onion,parsnip, potato, silver beet, squash and sweet corn

SUMMER

Plants grow at triffid-like rates with more time spent trimming, weeding and mowing. Heat, humidity, seasonal festivities and holidays can make it difficult to keep on top of things in this season of hectic growth.

Seasonal tasks

Prune poinsettias, azaleas, camellias, gardenias and dead heads from roses
Look for dead patches in lawns caused by lawn grubs
Prune fruit trees in the tropics in preparation for the wet season
Fertilise the entire garden with an organically based fertiliser
Watch out for caterpillars on citrus, impatiens and white cedar

December

In bloom: brunfelsia, jacaranda, lilly pilly, racehorse tree (Schizolobium) and sandpaper vine (Petrea)

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, cosmos, marigold, petunia, portulaca, salvia and zinnia
Tropical: amaranthus and celosia
Subtropical/cool temperate: begonia, celosia, gomphrena, sunflower and torenia

Vegetables to plant

All zones: capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, radish, snake bean, sweet potato, tomato and zucchini
Tropical: choko, okra, rockmelon, rosella and watermelon
Subtropical: choko, okra, pumpkin, rockmelon, rosella, sweet corn and watermelon
Cool temperate: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, celery, French bean, onion, potato, pumpkin, silver beet, squash and sweet corn

January

In bloom: allamanda, buckinghamia, frangipani, Rangoon creeper (Quisqualis) and summer crocus

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, celosia, cosmos, marigold, petunia, portulaca, salvia and zinnia
Tropical: amaranthus
Subtropical/cool temperate: begonia, gomphrena, sunflower and torenia

Vegetables to plant

All zones: capsicum, cucumber, lettuce, radish, tomato and zucchini
Tropical: choko, eggplant, rockmelon, snake bean, sweet potato, and watermelon
Subtropical: choko, eggplant, rockmelon, snake bean, sweet corn, sweet potato, and watermelon
Cool temperate: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, French bean, kohl rabi, onion, parsnip, potato, pumpkin, silver beet, sweet corn, squash and turnip

February

In bloom: bird of paradise, crepe myrtle, daylily, hibiscus and massaenda

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, celosia, cosmos, marigold, petunia, portulaca, salvia and zinnia
Tropical: amaranthus
Subtropical/cool temperate: begonia, gomphrena, sunflower and torenia

Vegetables to plant

All zones: capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, radish, sweet corn and zucchini
Tropical/Subtropical: choko, pumpkin, snake bean, squash, sweet potato, and tomato
Cool temperate: beetroot, broccoli, Brussles sprout, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, French bean, kohl rabi, onion, parsnip, and turnip

AUTUMN

Cooler temperatures and lower humidity make gardening more pleasant. Just as well, as it is a busy season, ideal for establishing new plants and taming excess growth. Leaves and prunings make great compost.

Seasonal tasks

Fertilise roses, fruit trees and lawns
Plant sweet peas, strawberry runners, seedlings, bulbs, trees and shrubs
Trim plants that have become too rampant over summer
Raise the cutting height of your mower in preparation for winter
Life, divide, propagate and replant herbaceous perennials

March

In bloom: leopard tree, oleander, ixora, pentas and tibouchina

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, marigolds and petunia
Tropical: amaranthus, begonia, celosia, cosmos, dianthus, portulaca, salvia and zinnia
Subtropical: candytuft, cineraria, clarkia, cornflower, nemesia, pansy, phlox, statice, stock and viola
Cool temperate: as for subtropical areas plus delphinium, godetia, hollyhock, larkspur, linaria, lupin, nigella, poppy, primula, schizanthus, sweet pea and wallflower

Vegetables to plant

All zones: carrot, cauliflower, French beans, leeks, lettuce, silver beet, spring onions and radish
Tropical: capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, potatoes, pumpkin, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomatoes and zucchini
Subtropical: capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, potatoes, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato
Cool temperate: beetroot, broccoli, broad beans, Brussel sprout, celery, kohl rabi, parsnip and turnip

April

In bloom: camellia, abutilon, gordonia, golden rain tree (Koelreuteria) and barleria

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, marigolds and petunia
Tropical: amaranthus, begonia, celosia, cosmos, dianthus, portulaca, salvia and zinnia
Subtropical: calendula, candytuft, cineraria, clarkia, cornflower, dianthus, English daisy, hollyhock, kale, larkspur, lobelia, nemesia, pansy, phlox, poppy, primula, snapdragon, statice, stock, strawflower, sweet pea, sweet William and viola
Cool temperate: as for subtropical plus delphinium, godetia, linaria, lupin, nigella, polyanthus, schizanthus and wallflower

Vegetables to plant

All zones: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, lettuce, radish and spring onion
Tropical: capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, French beans, garlic, kohl rabi, leeks, lettuce, potatoes, pumpkin, silver beet, spring onion, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomatoes and zucchini
Subtropical: Brussel sprout, capsicum, endive, French beans, garlic, kohl rabi, leeks, onions, potatoes, silver beet, spinach, sweet potato, tomato
Cool temperate: broad beans, kohl rabi, parsnip, silverbeet and turnip

May

In bloom: barklya, Queensland umbrella, native sarsaparilla (Hardenbergia), snow flake bush, tree daisy (Montanoea)

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, marigolds and petunia
Tropical: amaranthus, begonia, celosia, cosmos, gomphrena, phlos, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia and zinnia
Subtropical: calendula, candytuft, cineraria, clarkia, cornflower, dianthus, English daisy, hollyhock, kale, larkspur, lobelia, nemesia, pansy, phlox, poppy, primula, snapdragon, statice, stock, strawflower, sweet pea, sweet William and viola
Cool temperate: as for subtropical plus delphinium, godetia, linaria, lupin, nigella, polyanthus, schizanthus, sweet pea and wallflower

Vegetables to plant

All zones: broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, kohl rabi, lettuce, radish, silver beet, spring onion and turnip
Tropical: beetroot, French beans, garlic, leeks, potatoes, pumpkin, silver beet, squash, swede, sweet corn, sweet potato and tomato
Subtropical: beetroot, broad beans, Brussel sprout, capsicum, celery, chicory,endive, French beans, garlic, leeks, onions, parsnip, peas, potatoes, spinach, swede, sweet potato, and tomato
Cool temperate: broad beans, celery, lettuce, parsnip, peas and spinach