School growing space ideas please

[jackyspratty]

Hello all,
As some of you know Ive been working at my sons primary school developing a garden group since May. The school is being expanded and therefore there may be opportunity for a growing/quite spvace to be developed. The school is currently quite concrete based but there is possibility for this to change depending on budget and agreement from the powers that be.

So far our ideas are
1. raised beds made from sleepers (these will be available to us free through contacts) we are currently growing in one large brick raised bed by the gate and pots, so to have peoper beds at the right height and width would be great for the kids.

2. Willow walk/sculptures

3. Chamolmile seats etc

Do you have any idea what else we could present to the school? Also bearing in mind minimal budget and maintenance! Found out this morinng I am meeting tomorrow with head!

Thankyou in advance!!

[zazen999]

Send a Cow | Keyhole Gardens - raised bed - kitchen garden design - school grounds ideas

Links to recycling, and geography, culture, ecology

My plastic bottle greenhouse

Links to recycling, teamwork, horticulture

Plant sales, to link into enterprise - and means you will need somewhere to keep everything...

Composting of course

I've got to go to a meeting now - but might be back later with a few other thoughts

[Two_Sheds]

You're welcome to take a peep at my school garden albums: Flickr: Garden Club2011's Photostream

and to nick any ideas

[jackyspratty]

Will do TS!! Thanks very much!
Zaz am liking the keyhole garden idea very much. We looked at the plastic bottlegrow house last year as we were quite keen on it! I may raise it again as it needs to be a whole school project due to the number of bottles involved and issues of storage during collection etc. We have no indoor space at all which is always an issue. I need to present ideas that are appealable to the whole school as well and encourage staff to see it as a whoe school resource not just a garden group area.

Thanks!

[Two_Sheds]

I need to present ideas ... to the whole school ...as a whoe school resource not just a garden group area.

this is something I've had to look at while doing the RHS benchmark scheme (which Zazen put me onto): using the gardens across the curriculum and across all year groups.

Several classes grew potatoes in sacks, and this was covered by maths (adding, weighing, measuring etc), science and DT. The younger classes studied minibeasts in the wildlife area, and some of the plants were sketched (Art).

There will be others.

[di]

Is there anyway this could become a sticky or perhaps we could start a school growing group?

[Fruit&2veg]

As an alternative to raised beds made from sleepers, sleepers which can be pricy, has anyone used old Tractor tyres stacked? saw some once outside an agricultural merchants, Had small trees and all sorts growing in them. and looked very effective . As a Rule these are available for free as the disposal charges are now so high. Just a thought.

[Two_Sheds]

Jackie's sleepers are free

... and tires aren't always suitable as they may contain contaminants like diesel, oil etc

[veggiechicken]

I have some old railway sleepers in the garden but you have to be careful with them as they are impregnated with creosote, or something like it. When they get hot in the sun, the creosote starts to ooze out and gets on your clothes, and of course, into the soil. I have put membranes between the sleepers and the soil. Just something to consider, especially with children.

[WendyC]

Before we were lucky enough to get a grant through RBS Supergrounds scheme (sadly now finished) I had considered using cubic metre builders bags. I've seen these used to provide growing spaces in urban spaces.

[Fruit&2veg]

Jackie's sleepers are free

Yes, but I was also thinking Variety of shapes to tie in with the cuuicular side of things

... and tires aren't always suitable as they may contain contaminants like diesel, oil etc

as already said, Sleepers are impregnated with Preservatives, and being wood,are far more absorbent, and therefore more likely to be contaminated with Oil and diesel if you think about their original use, surely?

[jackyspratty]

Is there anyway this could become a sticky or perhaps we could start a school growing group?

I asked for a sticky re school growing a while back Di, as i always seem to be posting about this and never know where to put them!

[jackyspratty]

I agree there can be issues with bothsleepers and tyres and for similar reasons but we obvioulsy look at the condition before use. we have also used motorcycle tyres recently. Its also useful to note that many environmental centres use both sleepers and tyres, rightly or wrongly demonstrating recycling. For us its an issue of money....we dont have any!

[veggiechicken]

Most of my sleepers (and I have about 150!) are not sticky, but the ones that ooze are a real pain. If you have a choice look for the ones that are the palest. I rub sand into the oozy bits but it may not be easy with children around to keep them clean.

[SarzWix]

Moved you, and stuck you