Gardening for the future of our children

Edible School Gardens have become the new buzz around schools and as a garden educator that have been promoting health and growing food in schools for over 10 years, it’s a relief to see vegetable gardens becoming  the ‘norm’ in schools.  Eumundi State School was well ahead of their  time when they planted their first permaculture mandala garden some 15 years ago and have since added vegetable gardens throughout the school, a food forest, huge worm farms systems and a culture within the school that understands about soil  and plant health equalling healthy vibrant children.

Edible school gardens program is a 12 month program and every part of it is focussed on the student participation.  We teach them about garden design, and the students come up with a design for their school garden. We source materials locally and from there we involve the school community including parents, grandparents and carers with our fun filled ‘garden make- over day where the students designs become a reality.  Other weeks we will plant seedlings, seeds, herbs etc, learn about soil building, compost, pest prevention, worms and organic processes. Within a couple of weeks, we can start tasting some of our mouth watering produce.

Students get to experience the connection of growing and harvesting from just outside their back door to their plate. These are the experiences that children remember and they are our life skills.  In our garden or kitchen, there are no frozen meals, no microwaves, just pure fresh ingredients grown with love.

Growing your own food is one of the most exciting activities kids can be involved in.  Kids get to experience the whole life cycle of an edible plant from seed to harvest. For many students this will be a new experience.  

If you would like to know more about the idea or get involved, feel free to contact:
e: Leonie@EdibleSchoolGardens.com.au
w: www.EdibleSchoolGardens.com.au

Gardening for the future of our children
By Leonie Shanahan