Building Your School or Community Garden

Map the garden site and immediate surrounding areas.

• Consider existing terrain, trees, bushes, ecosystems, wildlife
• Sun/shade/wind exposure
• Identify location of beds and paths
• Determine locations of: compost systems, garden “classroom” area, storage facility for tools, potting area, habitat garden area         
• Water source
• Consider future needs: expansion possibilities; nursery/greenhouse; arbors/trellises; food prep area.
*Recommend using a closed system if kitchen scraps will be included; otherwise a three-bin open system if space allows.  Also recommend a worm composting system.

Preparing the Site

• Build fencing
• Build storage facility
• Remove rocks/roots/bushes
• Eliminate weeds and grasses
• Evaluate condition of soil; do soil analysis.
(Based on soil evaluation, decide whether to use raised beds, which are preferred).
• If building raised beds, no toxic materials should be used.
• Build planting areas OR raised beds and fill with good soil and compost.
• Install irrigation system
• Establish pathways using good drainage material
• Set up compost system(s)

Equipment Needed

• Fencing                        
• Irrigation system - electronic, handwatering, hose, soaker hoses or watering cans
• Hand tools: trowels, shovels, rakes 
• Soil and compost          
• Garden gloves 
• Wheelbarrow               • Pruning shears 
• Rakes                           • Potting table
• Hoes                             • Stakes, sticks, string
• Spades                         • Shade structure (if needed)
• Hose                             • Materials for pathways and mulch
• Buckets