Education - Edible School Garden
Education Project: Edible School Garden
This project with a not-for-profit preschool was both highly rewarding and undeniably joyful. The school had a derelict, disused vegetable patch with heavily compacted, humus-deficient soil. Unsurprisingly, little would grow, and the school was considering the costly option of removing and replacing the soil entirely.
Instead, Create Ecology delivered an educational soil remediation program designed for both teachers and children, turning a problem site into a hands-on learning opportunity.
Soil samples were collected and assessed, and a tailored soil improvement action plan was developed. Compaction was addressed manually through augering, while the underlying clay pan was amended with gypsum. A blend of biochar, mineral rock dust, compost, and organic matter was incorporated to rebuild soil structure, fertility, and biological activity.
Once prepared, the garden beds were rested under a thick layer of mulch and sown with a green manure crop to further improve soil health. At the same time, students helped construct in-ground worm towers in each bed, allowing food scraps from daily healthy snack times to be composted directly into the soil.
A highlight of the project was the active involvement of the children at every stage. Students enthusiastically got their hands dirty, from soil preparation to worm introduction—complete with what were affectionately dubbed “dancing worms.” Along the way, curiosity flourished, with children fascinated by soil life, including discovering that slaters can roll into perfect little balls.
As the garden matured, students took part in planting and caring for seedlings, observing growth over time, and finally harvesting the produce. The most rewarding moment came when the children were able to cook and eat what they had grown themselves, completing the full journey from soil to plate.
Note: Children shown in images without faces obscured are those of the Principal Env Scientist. Permission has been granted for their images to be used.
Before - the soil was compacted, dry, and lifeless, with a deep clay layer affecting drainage. We helped by bringing to life the Ecology of the soil system.
After - this Strawberry patch was LOVING it - a vermicast tea with a low pH (5.8 - 6.2) and a mulch of dried pine needles were used to give the strawberries the slightly acidic environment that they love and thrive in. The kids were eating fresh, organic strawberries for many weeks.
During - Introducing the "dancing" worms! This was the kids' favourite activity! The worms got settled into their new homes and soon got on with their very important business of making compost.
The veg and herbs in this bed are starting to look good. Each bed had its own worm towers in-situ.
Site Supervisor is checking on how the worms are settling in.
Progress shot: Climbing snow peas heading for the sky in healthy, balanced, nutrient-rich soil.
Strawberry thief caught in action! Although, she/he is welcome evidence of a healthy ecosystem, the site of reptilian scales always gets the heart started in the garden.
Roast cauli with cheese - yum! The students loved learning different cooking techniques. Cauli-rice was a well-received healthy variation on regular rice.
Kids were not totally happy with the broccoli but hey, greens are most important, and they got to learn how much better they taste when you grow them yourself!