Establishing a School Garden
Contact Brightside for further assistance at 574-3380.

Where to begin? The following tips will help you develop a successful school garden.

Tip One: Leadership
Before the first seed is planted, assemble a group of individuals who are committed to the garden project. Keep in mind that it may take several months to go from garden planning to planting. Establish a Garden Committee to guide the project; include teachers, students, parents, and community volunteers.

In order to get a gardening project off the ground, some
gardening know-how is important. Even if you don’t have an extremely green thumb, there are plenty of resources available to contact for assistance.

Tip Two: Leadership
Obtain permission from the school administration to use a plot of land or classroom space. School administrators can contribute to the success and longevity of the garden. Businesses may be more apt to donate funding or supplies if the principal initiates the request. Changes in the student body and teaching staff are inevitable; therefore, it is imperative to have administrative support.

Tip Three: Secure Funding
Garden projects cost money, but how much money varies. Fund-raisers, donations, and grants are possible sources of funding for a garden project. One of the best tools to help secure funding for the garden is good public relations. Believe in the project and be able to clearly state what is going on and what you hope to accomplish. Contact the local media, officials, and businesses in order to garner support.

Initially, tools are the largest expense. Good, quality tools are a wise investment; if they are taken care of, they will last for years. Cut some garden expenses by being creative. A piece of chain-link fencing makes a great trellis; milk jugs can be used for watering; and paint stirrers can be used for garden markers.

Tip Four: Discouraging Vandalism
Don’t let the threat of vandalism be a deterrent to establishing a school garden. There is a chance of vandalism with any garden, even one in your own backyard. One of the best ways to deter potential vandals is to involve them in the garden. Involve as many people as possible in the garden, and ask them to help keep an eye on the garden. If possible, locate the garden in an area that isn’t heavily trafficked and stay away from cut-throughs. Signs will let people know the garden’s purpose and may encourage people to get involved.

Tip Five: Continuity
Since most schools are not open in the summer, it is important to have a plan to keep the garden going through summer vacation. Possibly the garden can be linked to a summer school program that has paid staff. Be consistent; determine a schedule for the garden, and volunteers will know what days and times they can show up to work in the garden.


Developing the School Garden
As with any new project, careful planning points you on the way to success.

Step 1: Plan the Garden
Gather the following tools: sketch pad; a 100 ft. tape measure; a few stakes or an assistant; a ruler or architect’s scale; 18 x 24 grid paper; and colored pencils. Develop a base map of the site that shows the property lines, outline of the building, driveway, sidewalks, and any other existing features. Next, measure and record distances in detail. Start at the corner of the building and record distances to windows, doors, sidewalks, water spigots, etc. The base map should be drawn on an 18 x 24 piece of grid paper with the scale of 1 equals 10’ or 1’ equals 20’. Be sure to record the scale of the drawing and draw an arrow to show which direction is north.

Conduct a Site Analysis
Make several copies of the base map, and use a pencil to make notes regarding the following:

• Amount of direct sunlight
  The site should be in an open location that receives direct sunlight for at least six hours a day. Check the site at different times throughout the day and record how much sun it receives. Shady areas can be used for rest areas or for growing shade-loving plants such as ferns and hostas.
• Is the site big enough?
  Consider if there is enough room for planned activities and for future expansion. Will the site accommodate the number of gardeners? People should be able to enter and leave the garden without hazards.
• Access to water
  The closer the water source is to the garden the better. Watering a garden is a task that cannot be overlooked.

Evaluate the soil Condition
A soil evaluation will help you determine what can grow successfully and how much work will be required to prepare your existing soil for planting.

• Good drainage
  Good soil drainage is necessary for optimum plant growth. Roots will not root, and plants will not thrive in saturated soils. Check the site after a hard rain and look for puddling or the possibility of flooding.
• Physical soil type and condition
  Is the soil soft and fairly easy to dig or tightly compacted? The best soil for planting is free of rocks and building material and is usually dark-colored and resembles cake crumbs.
• Test the soil.
  Collect a soil sample and have an independent lab test for pH, lead, and organic matter. Most plants do best at a pH between 6.3 and 6.8. If the site has high lead levels, select another location for the garden; grow plants in containers; or build raised beds and bring in topsoil free of contaminants.

Carefully Select Garden Type and Plants Based on Your Situation
Now that you understand your soil conditions and have a location in mind, you can begin selecting a garden type and specific plants. The only limit to the garden is your imagination and creativity. The following are some of the types of gardens to consider:

Preliminary Designs
After the base map and site analysis are completed, the fun begins. Use copies of the base map to develop preliminary designs of what you want to see in your garden. At this point in the design process, use “bubbles” (rough circles that represent functional areas you want to include), but do not focus on specific plants or graphics. Don’t limit yourself to one design; draw several and make each one different. Use the preliminary designs to get feedback from the individuals committed to the garden.

Final Design
The final design focuses on specific plant material and material selection. Be sure to keep in mind all aspects of the site analysis. The purpose of planning is to keep you from making costly mistakes. Select plants that thrive in your region and that are easy to maintain. Plan the garden to have year-round interest, and select plants that complement one another. It is extremely important to give plants room to grow, so be sure to consider the plant size at maturity.

Step 2: Acquire Basic Tools and Supplies
The following list does not cover every tool or supply that may be needed; however, it is a good starting place.

• Reduce weed seed.
  Apply a glyphospate herbicide, and eliminate all plants present. A nonchemical approach is to solar sterilize the soil by covering the site with three-mil plastic for four to six weeks during hot weather.
• Loosen the soil.
  Double dig or rototill the soil. Double digging is extremely labor intensive; however, it prepares the soil without destroying the soil structure and aerates lower levels of the soil.
• Amend the soil.
  Add organic matter such as compost or decayed horse manure. Organic matter affects soil structure and water and nutrient-holding capacity.

Step 4: Plant the Garden
While you are preparing the garden area outdoors, seeds can be started indoors.

• Start seeds indoors where they can be closely observed.
• Transplant seedlings into cell packs or paper cups when their first true leaves emerge.
• Seedlings must be hardened off before they can be planted. If seedlings are not acclimated to the outdoors, they will go into shock when planted.

Step 5: Pest and Disease Control

• Inspect the garden on a regular basis, and be sure to check the underside of leaves for insects.
• Don’t put off handling a problem; it’s likely to just get worse.
• Keep the garden and your tools clean.
• Keep the garden weed-free.
• On average, plants need one inch of water per week.
• Water plants early in the morning in order to have less moisture loss due to evaporation.
• Water plants at the root zone or base of the plant.

Step 6: Maintain a Healthy Garden

• Keep the garden mulched to retain soil moisture and to suppress weeds.
• Plants need nutrients throughout the growing season. Healthy plants are more likely to recover from stress.

Resources
The Davis Street SMaRT Guide to Developing a School Garden, Waste Management of Alameda County, Ca, 1996.

The Youth Gardening Book, Lynnn Ocone with Eve Pranis, National Gardening Association, Burlington, Vt, 1983.

Backyard Wildlife
A Habitat Improvement Program

Welcome to Backyard Wildlife, a Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) habitat improvement program designed to encourage and recognize the efforts of schools who create habitat for wildlife in their outdoor classrooms.

The KDFWR’s Salato Native Plant Program has available for outdoor classrooms a Backyard Wildlife Habitat Kit. This notebook of information contains everything you will need to help you plan, plant and maintain a landscape that will attract a diversity of wildlife. This information is in the form of fact sheets that are organized into a loose-leaf notebook and expanded as new information becomes available. The information and forms needed to become certified by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife are included in this kit.

By landscaping with wildlife in mind, it is possible to create attractive, low maintenance landscapes that provide the food, cover and water needed by a diversity of wildlife species. Such landscaping also assures that wildlife have space in which to raise their young and places to hide from predators. It may involve converting unused areas of lawn to habitat gardens or tree and shrub borders, or just leaving some grassy areas unmowed to provide more wildlife food and cover.

With the information in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s excellent publication, “Schoolyard Habitat Project Guide” and the Kentucky’s Backyard Wildlife Habitat Kit, you have most of the resources that you will need to become certified.

Once you have begun planting and recording wildlife use, you can apply to have your outdoor classroom certified by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Just complete the application included in your kit, and submit it to Backyard Wildlife, KDFWR, #1 Game Farm Road, Frankfort, KY 40601. Your application will be reviewed by the Backyard Wildlife Program Committee. This group is made up of experts in the fields of wildlife, agriculture and horticulture, who review and score each application. Include as much information with your application as possible, such as your landscape plan, photographs, videos, and your wildlife inventory. Schools that meet minimum standards for providing food, cover, and water will receive an attractive Backyard Wildlife certificate and an “I’m Going Wild in My Backyard” sign to display in your outdoor classroom. Applicants that exceed minimum standards will receive a silver certificate, and the very best will receive a gold certificate.

It is possible to have your certification upgraded as your habitat matures and attracts more wildlife. Simply submit a new application with new evidence of landscape development and wildlife use. Outstanding examples of backyard habitats will be featured in an exhibit at the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort. The outstanding outdoor classroom of the year will receive a special certificate at an awards ceremony in Frankfort.

There are several things that the Salato Wildlife Education Center and the Native Plant Program have to offer schools who are interested in continuing with or beginning outdoor classrooms:

• Backyard Wildlife Habitat Kit
• Various field guides, many on Kentucky natives
• Books on native plant gardening
• Two dozen free native perennials to get you started on your project
• Advice on landscaping
• Several Master Habitat Gardening Programs offered during the summer
• Native Plant Seminars
• Project Wild Seminars

For species checklist of wildlife in Jefferson County, check out the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife
Information Systems Web site at http://www.kfwis.state.ky.us under Species Information, then Distribution by County/Quad.

For further information contact:
Salato Wildlife Education Center
Salato Native Plant Program
#1 Game Farm Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
1-800-858-1549
(502)564-7863
Web site: http://www.kdfwr.state.ky.us

• Checklist of Common Backyard Birds
• Checklist of Common Backyard Mammals
• Checklist of Common Backyard Amphibians and Reptiles
• Checklist of Common Backyard Invertebrates
• Butterflies of Kentucky Checklist
• Backyard Wildlife Habitat Notes: Berry Producing Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines
• Backyard Wildlife Habitat Notes: Mast and Seed-Producing Plants
• Backyard Wildlife Habitat Notes: Native Evergreen Trees and Shrubs
• Backyard Wildlife Habitat Notes: Butterfly Caterpillar Foods
• Backyard Wildlife Habitat Notes: Native Grasses and Legumes
• Backyard Wildlife Habitat Notes: Butterfly Nectar Flowers
• Backyard Wildlife Habitat Notes: Food Plants and Puddle Use of Kentucky Butterflies
• Backyard Wildlife Habitat Notes: Food Plants for Kentucky Moths
• Backyard Wildlife Habitat Notes: Hummingbird Plants
• Backyard Wildlife Habitat Notes: Invasive Exotic Plants in Kentucky
  

Backyard Wildlife Habitat Certification
Have your backyard or school yard certified as an official Kentucky Backyard Wildlife Habitat Site. For more information, click this link.

Kentucky Resources
Kentucky Environmental Education Council
663 Teton Trail
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-5937
1-800-882-5271
E-mail: keec@mail.state.ky.us
Home page: http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/envred/

Ask for local telephone numbers of agencies, local schools in your area with outdoor classrooms. Also provides grant opportunities and houses many materials related to outdoor classrooms. Can provide a copy of Land, Legacy and Learning a master plan for environmental education in Kentucky.

Kentucky Association for Environmental Education
c/o Blackacre State Nature Preserve
3200 Tucker Station Road
Louisville, KY 40299
(502) 485-3295
E-mail: dwicks1@jefferson.k12.ky.us
home page: http://www.kaee.org

A quarterly newsletter and annual environmental education conference keep members in touch with news around the commonwealth.

Center for Environmental Education
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
(502) 852-6591
E-mail: allan@Louisville.edu

The Center offers workshops, has access to
resources, and aids in outdoor classroom development and use.

Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service
8012 Vinecrest, Suite #1
Louisville, KY 40222
(502) 425-4482
www.ca.uky.edu

Home Page: The Extension Service has fact sheets on topics related to outdoor classrooms as well as a Horticultural and Urban Gardening agent. Ask about volunteers from the Master Gardening
Program.

Kentucky Coal Marketing and Export Council
302 Wilkinson Blvd.
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-2562

Schools can apply for grant funding for environmental and coal projects.

Kentucky Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 814
Frankfort, KY 40602
(502) 564-4696

Kindergarten through Grade Twelve teacher workshops, a mobile teaching unit, and a teacher’s guide for classroom activities are available.

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
#1 Game Farm Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
1-800- 858-1549
Home page: www.kdfwr.state.ky.us

Biologists may be available to provide technical assistance related to the development of outdoor classrooms. They also have a Wildlife Education Resource Center.

Kentucky Department of Transportation
State Office Building
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-4556

Packets of seeds are available for planting in public areas. Wildflowers are not to be planted along state rights-of-way.

Kentucky Division of Air Quality
803 Schenkel Lane
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 573-3383
http://kyenvironment.org/nrepc/dep/daq/daqhome.html Home Page: Available are materials on air quality issues and teacher training programs.

Kentucky Division of Forestry
129 Howell Dr.
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
(270) 766-5013
Home Page: www.state.ky.us/agencies/nrepc/dnr/forestry
/dnrdof.html

Available are posters and curriculum lessons in forestry, educational brochures and fact sheets. Some technical assistance provided through district forester and urban specialist.

Kentucky Division of Water
14 Reilly Road
Frankfort, KY 40601-1190
(502) 564-3410
Home Page: http://water.nr.state.ky.us/dow/dwhome.htm

Ask about their pamphlet, Wetlands and Their Functions in Kentucky, their fact sheets on protection/preservation history procedures for wetland habitat, and a free loan slide/video presentation, Every Time It Rains, with accompanying brochure about nonpoint source pollution in Kentucky. See Kentucky Water Watch Program.

Kentucky Environmental Quality Commission
14 Reilly Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-2150
Home Page: www.state.ky.us/agencies/eqc/eqc.html

The Commission publishes reports on different topics, updating the environmental condition of the commonwealth.

Kentucky Natural Resources Environmental Protection Cabinet
Capital Tower Plaza
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-3350
Home page: http://kyenvironment.org/

The Cabinet has maps—two that include the Salt Licks old growth forests and villages of 1792 and 1992. Ask about the availability of special events.

Kentucky Water Watch Program
Kentucky Division of Water
14 Reilly Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-3401
Home Page: http://www.state.ky.us/nrepc/water/wwhomepg.htm

In addition to training teachers and students in the program, they can conduct water workshops to meet your needs.

U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service
(Formerly Soil Conservation Service)
4229 Bardstown Road, Suite # 202
Louisville, KY 40218
(502) 499-1900
Home Page: www.nrcs.usda.gov

A soil survey for your county is available through the Conservation Service office. Contact them for technical advice. The office often provides assistance to schools that are developing outdoor classrooms.


Web Sites

• Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Information Systems (species by county) http://www.kfwis.state.ky.us
• National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat http://www.nwf.org/habitats/schoolyard/index.html\
• Wildlife Habitat Council http://www.wildlifehc.org
• Developing Nature Sites at Schools http://www.stolaf.edu/other/snap/
• National Gardening Association http://www.garden.org
• Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment http://www.globe.gov/
• Global Study of Migration http://www.learner.org/jnorth
• Study of Nature’s Cycles of Life http://www.sws-wis.com/lifecycles
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bird-Monitoring Program http://www.birds.cornell.edu
• Monitoring Site for Monarch Butterflies http://www.MonarchWatch.org
• Frog Monitoring Site http://www.frogwb.gov
• A Thousand Friends of Frogs http://cgee.hamline.edu/frogs/
• U.S. Geological Survey (information on biology, geology, water, and mapping) http://www.usgs.gov/education
• EPA Surf Your Watershed http://www.epa.gov/surf
• Metropolitan Sewer District (water quality efforts and pollution prevention) http://www.msdlouky.org
• Funding Sources http://www.jefferson.k12.ky.us/grants/grants.html
• Information on Insects http://www.uky.edu/agriculture/entomology/
• Natural History of Trees http://www.treeguide.com/
• Environmental Protection Agency (site on wetlands) http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands
• Kentucky State Nature Preserve Commission http://www.kynaturepreserve.org/
• Kentucky Biodiversity Council (order information for Kentucky Alive a compilation of Kentucky’s Biodiversity Project WILD) http://www.nr.state.ky.us/nrepc/dnr/biodiverse/dnrbio.htm

Sample of Jefferson County Public Schools Outdoor Classroom Web Sites
Kennedy Montessori Elementary School
Farnsley Middle School

Mail-Order Sources
Wildlife Food and Cover Plants and Accessories

Jefferson County Conservation District and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Land Lab Wetland with PVC Liner
click here

Request for Building Modification Form
click here

Process Skills Developed by Naturalist
click here

Learning Strategies for the Naturalist
click here