School garden advice please (again!)

[jackyspratty]

Hi everyone

Can anyone advise me on what size a raised bed should be for a primary school group please. We want to build 4, all on casters so they can be moved about if possible. (The school is still to tel us where we can work, massive change of plan! Dont ask)

Thanks. I then need to get quotes and apply for grants, all in time for spring! (gulp!!!)

[Glutton4...]

I would see how far the average child can reach, and make the bed double that width. That way there won't be a gap in the middle, with either no plants in, or a load of weeds that no one can reach!

[Two_Sheds]

what size a raised bed should be for a primary school group please

Surely it depends on the space you have available, and what size the raised beds come in (I assume you're buying readymade, not building your own?)

I'd make a plan of the ground you have, and see how that could be divided up.

My school got their raised bed through Morrisons' Lets Grow vouchers. I can't put a link because their website has frozen

[jackyspratty]

We are aiming to get them made. We did have a great development from BTCV in the pipeline, but the school is increasing in size and the land we had earmarked is potentially not available. we therefor need beds that can be moved rather than built on soil etc, plus we need them on casters to move them before they are filled. It may be that we seperate them according to where there is spare rather tha having them al together.

I just wonered if anyone had suitable dimensions in terms of height etc that can be used for primary kids?

[Hilary B]

Height (to top of soil-retaining frame), could be about 'top of legs' for a child. Width, measure the same child from shoulder to fingertips and double it. If it is to be used by all primary ages, I would make them different sizes for different classes, one made to the measure of a 10yo would be much too big for a 5yo, but one measured for a 5yo would be unsatisfyingly small for a 10yo. With 4 to make, it should be easy to get something to suit each size of child.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Height (to top of soil-retaining frame), could be about 'top of legs' for a child. Width, measure the same child from shoulder to fingertips and double it. If it is to be used by all primary ages, I would make them different sizes for different classes, one made to the measure of a 10yo would be much too big for a 5yo, but one measured for a 5yo would be unsatisfyingly small for a 10yo. With 4 to make, it should be easy to get something to suit each size of child.

I'm a bit more radical in my thoughts about this. The size of the children is secondary because primarily, the beds need to be suitable for whatever is to be grown in them and that won't be the children . It's easier to put down something like a sleeper for children to use as a step than it is to try to accommodate different sizes of children.

Top marks to whoever had the idea though. Getting children interested when they are young is the trick.

[Hilary B]

I'm a bit more radical in my thoughts about this. The size of the children is secondary because primarily, the beds need to be suitable for whatever is to be grown in them and that won't be the children . It's easier to put down something like a sleeper for children to use as a step than it is to try to accommodate different sizes of children.

Top marks to whoever had the idea though. Getting children interested when they are young is the trick.

Height can be dealt with, but width needs to be such that a child can reach the middle. Hip high (not waist) for even quite a small child is surely deep enough for the sort of crops small children would be growing, even after deducting the depth of the castors?

[jackyspratty]

Having a rethink now!!! There may be some issues with casters? The weight of wet soil, very heavy....health and safety issues if the casters slip and roll>>>>Squashed children!!!

I basically need 3 quotes for raised beds with soil and the option to move them. This may not be possible though. The only area we know for sure we have is under a shady beach tree! Looking at natural woodland planting there. But not kbnowing for sure where the beds can be situated is proving problematic! Tbh Im beginning to wish I hadnt started this! I just wanted to do some planting with kids but its developed into this massive project that Im now chairing as no one else wants to do it!!!

[Two_Sheds]

Why not start off in large pots? Until you know for sure what ground you'll have

[Florence Fennel]

I'm with TS on this one, start small and let it grow on naturally. My grandchildren love growing things in flower buckets.

[jackyspratty]

Yeah I agree really, keep saying cant grow a garden overnight and all that! Can you tell its all geting a bit stressful!
Trying to access school funds while they are still there really!! Plus also they are pretty supportive of the group at the moment so am hoping this will bear fruit (no pun intended!)

Hey ho, nothing is ever straighforward! Thanks for words of wisdom! Appreciated! Figure I may as well get the quotes for simple raised and filled beds and see what happens! Thinking of just posting the job on the internet, those my hammer things.

[jackyspratty]

BTW also just wanted to officially say a massive thankyou to everyone who has donated seeds/strawberry runners to this project. It is appreciated and I was really touched (no comments now!), the kids will be over the moon.

[Two_Sheds]

Trying to access school funds while they are still there really!

I can understand that. Compost is a huge expense for us, so I made sure school paid for that. We've just received £50 T&M vouchers from the RHS scheme, but I provide veg seeds out of my collection, I've more than enough to go round.

School bought a raised bed but I couldn't justify the £100 for topsoil needed to fill it, so I did a lasagne bed out of green waste, leaves and grass clippings: full for free, just a bit of elbow grease

[jackyspratty]

Thats a really god idea two sheds! Ill look into that. We also have a large raised flower bed by the gates. Full of bulbs, compacted as the kids jump on it, hardly any soil. Bulbs dont flower any more. To fill it with top soil would take at least 2 tons of soil, so lasagne planting sounds good idea. We are also nect to a park so could maybe talk to the park kepers as to making use of their leaves etc?

Not sure if we need to dig out bulbs or not though?

[MrsC]

Approach the PTA or any other fundraiser you have in school. Who are your contracted grounds maintenance people, why not speak to them? Worth a shot. 1st and foremost you have to get the staff on board. PM me if you need any links