Sustainable Gardening
Grow Okra in the spring.
Partnerships and resources.
Kaitlin = parent and PTA with gloves and watering cans
ART / TECH = signs and laminate
Renne = NC Food Bank with seeds, soil, gardening supplies
Audrey = parent and NC State University College of Design with popup sustainable garden areas
CompostNow = 200 pounds of compostable soil from our lunch trays
Oakwood Garden Club = contact with Kaitlin Spencer and guest speaker forms
Austin PTA President with $1,000 grant with front drainage, weeding, mulch, etc
Raleigh City Farm = unavailable, but funded $1,000 grant for PTA
Monica & Marshelle = Master Gardener Extension with NC State (Rich in charge of community gardens with MGE).
NC State Extension Master Gardener Volunteer of Wake County
Monica and Christine
Water the soil, not the leaves.
Cages / support for beans and peas.
Words and pictures for summer help.
Renee NC Food Bank chat 12/19/24
Up to $5,000 for supplies.
Jan 6th week = providing purchasing process with supplies
Soil can be 25 or 50 pound bags and then quantity
Bottomless planters = start with 8 and then opportunity to add
Renee support as needed/necessary by coming to school (planing, pests, etc)
Renee NC Food Bank 1/17/25, 2/5/25, 2/6/25,
LARGER ITEMS.....delivery April 10th, 2025
-4 raised beds = oval = 4x8x2
-soil = We will be receiving 200 pounds (four 50 pound bags) of compost ON APRIL 9th from CompostNow through our partnership of composting lunch trays) and I am guessing we will need an additional 64 cubic feet? Beds in the carpool loop on the mulch beds?
SMALLER ITEMS....gift card to Logan’s to purchase supplies and extra money for additional items as needed to get from Renee in March
Yes to Logan's versus one of those big box stores.
We would plan to purchase...I went to the Logan's website to try to get a ballpark estimate of the cost, but they do not have details on individual products.
-10 pairs of gloves
-4 harvest bins
-4 watering cans
-4 clippers
-4 hand shovels (trowels)
-packets of vegetable seeds for spring growing
***fertilizer *marigolds *already growing plants
Master Gardener Extension chat 1/8/25
Confirm compost/compost with soil
Provide information and facts; come and do a talk, volunteer team, date and time 3rd or 4th (every Tuesday for example), use guest speaker form;
Marshelle and Monica visit early April
School Garden Group with Master Gardener Extension = education, hands on, elevate with learning objectives,
Additional information….
Identify
Develop
Execute
Assess
Share
What is happening around Conn Magnet?
Instagram…
@gridley_daniel
Growing a Green Future: Sustainable Gardening and Community Collaboration
You will learn the importance of sustainable gardening while incorporating real-world partnerships with local organizations. You will have hands-on activities and experiences to engage in the process of gardening, sustainability, and community involvement.
Soil Science and Composting Basics
-Guest Speakers: CompostNow, NC State University, NC Food Bank, or other community partner.
-Create a recipe for a healthy garden.
What do we need to do to prepare the soil…..soil check and preparation
It rained!!!!
Documenting how much it rained and when do we need to water next?
*1 inch of rain per week.
SPACE SEEDS =
On the International Space Station for 8 weeks
SPACE SEEDS =
On the International Space Station for 8 weeks
Packet A Heinz H1161
10 seeds planted and 7 sprouted!
Packet B Heinz H1161
10 seeds planted and 5 sprouted!
SPACE SEEDS =
On the International Space Station for 8 weeks
Packet B seeds were in….
SPACE
Radishes
Check the shoulders: Gently brush away a bit of soil around the base of the leaves. You should see the top of the radish root (called the shoulder) poking out. If it’s about 1 inch across (or a little less depending on the variety), it’s ready!
2. Feel the firmness: The radish should feel firm when you gently squeeze it. If it feels soft or squishy, it might be overripe.
3. Leafy clues: The greens on top should still look fresh and perky. If they start to yellow or get too tall and wild-looking, your radishes might be getting woody (tough and spicy—not in a fun way).
PLANTED ALL SEEDS….
May 1st or May 2nd
Last time we….
SHARE OUT….
Planting Teams….
-checked planters
Marketing Teams…
-letter to Mr. Corey, pictures and videos to Google Folder, ___
-weekend and summer sign up link
FLOWER POWER = 3rd
3D print…
Lavender = 1 = DONE
Rosemary = 1 = DONE
Tomato = 2 = DONE
Peas for beans = 1 =
Chives = 1 =
Tin Can / Fruity Fruit = 3rd
3D print…
Tomato = 2 = DONE
Cauliflower = 2
Broccoli = 2
Cucumber = 1 = DONE
Bloom = 3rd
3D print…
Tomato = 2
Basil = 1 = DONE
Onion = 1 = DONE
Rad Radishes = 3rd
3D print…
Carrots = 1
Radishes = 1
Spinach = 1
Tomato = 1
Peppers = 1
Lavender = 1
Good Plants = 4th
3D print…
Lavender =
Radishes =
Peas =
Squash =
Radishes =
Cabbage =
Vegetable Soup = 4th
3D print…
Tomato = 2
Strawberry = 2
Collard greens = 1
Peas = 1
Beans = 1
Radishes = 1
Veggie Piglets = 4th
3D print…
Onion =
Tomato = DONE
Cucumbers =
Chives = 2 = DONE
Snowball = 4th
3D print…
Tomato = 2
Tomato A and Tomato B
Broccoli = DONE
Cauliflower =
Radish =
Beans =
Summer Garden Support….
-What do we need to ask Mr. Corey?
*access water
*what time
*watering can location
*
*
Summer Garden Support….
-Each planter create a visual to be laminated that includes the vegetables growing and when they should be ready for harvest.
*planter name
*vegetables in planter
*anticipated date when vegetables are ready for harvest
Videos and pictures for Instagram….
-take picture and videos and upload to Google shared drive
May
Community Engagement and Gardening Advocacy with the PTA
-You will learn about the PTA’s role in supporting gardening, school beautification, and sustainability.
-You will learn about how to advocate for gardening and environmental education within the community.
-You will create a sustainable community check with how the plants will be monitored, harvested, etc
Community Engagement and Gardening Advocacy with the PTA
Guest Speakers: PTA members to discuss their role iN supporting gardening, financial resources, and engaging families.
Garden Advocacy: You will create posters, presentations, podcasts, and YouTube videos advocating for sustainable gardening at our school and in the community.
Family Involvement: You will plan a Garden Day event for families to contribute to our school community sustainable garden and beautification of our school campus.
May
Garden maintenance, harvesting, and sustainability celebration.
You will understand the necessary ongoing care for a sustainable garden.
We will celebrate our sustainable garden project and reflect on the learning journey.
Garden maintenance, harvesting, and sustainability celebration.
Guest Speakers: Master Gardener Extension discussion about maintaining garden sustainability throughout the year.
Harvesting Day: What worked well and what can we improve?
Sustainable Garden Celebration: Invite community partners to attend.
Reflection: You will create a message (podcast, write a letter, create a video, etc) of appreciation to community partners and articulate one way you will apply what you have learned.
Last time…
4th Grade |
-watered seeds |
Today…
4th Grade |
-water seeds -tinkercad vegetable signs |
August 28, 2025
Paper map of planter.
Name / location of planter.
August 28, 2025
Fall Plants…
peas onion carrots
lavender parsley oregano
basil chard lettuce
cabbage kale garlic
Today we are… water Wednesday, May 28th = Monica & Christine
3rd Grade | 4th Grade |
-Planting Team does… -Marketing Team does.. | -Planting Team does… -Marketing Team does.. |
April 14, 15, 16, 17 pics to thedirt@compostnow.org
Sustainable Gardening & Community Partnerships
-What is sustainable gardening and why does it matter? How can gardening help the environment and our community?
-What composting do we do at Conn Magnet?
-What are Local Food Systems?
-What are the intentional and potential Environmental impacts of sustainable gardening?
-Local community partners: NC Food Bank, NC State University College of Design, Oakwood Garden Club, CompostNow, Raleigh City Farm, PTA, and Master Gardener Extension.
Name of garden. Edible? Pollinator? Sustainable and community partnership garden?
Sustainable Gardening & Community Partnerships
-Garden Observation: A walk through of where our school garden will be to see a real-life example and then create Pictures, Podcasts, & YouTube videos of what our plan will be!
-What can we grow? gardening resource NC State University
Jobs and Roles for a Sustainable Garden…
Let’s create jobs and roles….
Jobs and Roles for a Sustainable Garden…
Rain Gauge paper marketing digital marketing (Canva)
Paper data sheets (rain) digital data sheets (rain)
3D printing signs for vegetables QR codes and videos for vegetables
Soil moisture check Adobe Express video marketing
Farm Managers (co-managers) harvest expert distribution expert
Data collection planters (farmers)
MATERIALS: clipboards, pencils, ____________
Sustainable Garden…
What will we grow….growing in the spring
Purchase list for Logan’s Garden Shop
Marigolds
Basil, beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, collard greens, kale, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, squash,
What do we need to do to prepare the soil…..soil check and preparation
Sustainable Garden…
8 Planters….
Each planter will have… Create growing maps for each planter.
Tomato seeds from the International Space Station
Watering schedule based on rain
Prices from Logan’s Garden Shop (money spent and money have remaining)
Our sustainable garden…. 24 inches (2 feet) x 96 inches (8 feet)
Our sustainable garden…. 24 inches (2 feet) x 96 inches (8 feet)
April 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
Soil Science and Composting Basics & PLANTING OUR SUSTAINABLE GARDEN
You will understand soil health, types of soil, and the role of compost in gardening.
You will learn about how using compostable lunch trays can be turned into compost with CompostNow.
Soil investigation: Different types of soil and discuss how soils impact plant growth.
Compost in your home and in nature (decomposing, life cycle, examples different stages.)
What is soil?
Planting with Planters.
-Guest Speaker:
-Planting the Planters. Which plants are best for small spaces and sustainable gardening? Plant herbs and vegetables.
-Watering Strategy?
May 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
NC Food Bank and Sustainable Food System
-Role of NC Food Bank in local food system and its sustainability practices.
-How can sustainable gardening contribute to food security and healthy communities?
-What does a sustainable focus means?
Service Project: Work the the NC Food Bank Garden and/or create a Go By outline for backyard sustainable gardening and share with our school community.
NC Food Bank and Sustainable Food System
Guest Speakers: NC Food Bank on their mission, sustainable gardening practices, and how they support local gardens.
Research and discuss which types of plants are best for donation and grow them if we can.
Service Project: Work the the NC Food Bank Garden and/or create a Go By outline for backyard sustainable gardening and share with our school community.
What should we plant together?
Planter 1 – Tomatoes + Basil + Onions
Planter 2 – Beans + Squash
Planter 3 – Peas + Radishes + Spinach
Planter 4 – Broccoli + Cauliflower
Planter 5 – Cabbage + Kale + Collard Greens
Planter 6 – Beets + Chard + Lettuce
Planter 7 – Onions + Radishes + Spinach
Planter 8 – 5th Grade Leadership Club and 4th Grade
Clarifying topics…
-planters and name plates for plants
4th: onion and all vegetables & herbs
-tinkercad 3D print name plates
Rain…
Saturday - 0.66”
Sunday - 0.41”
April 28, 29, 30, May 1, 2
Planting with Planters.
What is the importance of space-saving gardening?
How do plants grow?
What do plants need to thrive (sunlight, water, and nutrients)?
May 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Financial Support and Budgeting.
-You will understand how financial support can help sustain garden projects.
-You will learn the basic concepts of budgeting for a garden and the costs of tools, seeds, and materials.
Financial Support and Budgeting.
-Guest Speakers: Oakwood Garden Club, PTA, Raleigh City Farm, and/or NC Food Bank to discuss their financial contributions and how they support local gardening projects.
-Budgeting Challenge: You will create, by estimating costs, a budget for a small garden project choosing which plants to grow, calculating how much soil is required, necessary tools, and seeds you will need.
-Giving back to the community. You will work as a team to brainstorm ways you could raise funds or resources for garden projects based on your learning and understanding about financial support from the community.
Assessment and Evaluation based on…
participation, teamwork, reflection, and completion of sustainable garden project/presentation.
Skills and Standards….
Critical thinking about sustainability and community collaboration.
Research and presentation skills.
Understanding of basic environmental science.
Teamwork and hands-on gardening skills.
Engineering and design thinking.
Understanding plant biology and the basics of gardening.
Community service and civic engagement.
Understanding of food security and how gardening can address local needs.
Skills and Standards….
Basic financial literacy and budgeting.
Problem-solving and teamwork in resource management.
Advocacy and communication skills.
Collaboration with families and community members.
Gardening skills: planting, maintaining, and harvesting.
Reflection and presentation skills.
Community engagement and celebration.