Hall-Dale Elementary School  PTO

Why incorporate a garden into a child’s school day?

There are so many benefits a school garden can offer (nutrition, connection with nature, outdoor learning, better focus, teamwork, environmental stewardship, etc). 

How is the garden used as a learning tool? How do you encourage teachers and students to use the garden?

The PTO wants the garden to be accessible to any teacher or staff member that is interested. In the spring, the PTO provides garden bags with seedling trays, soil and seeds for interested teachers to start seedlings. We have also provided and led garden lessons. Sample lessons include: plant requirements, seed comparisons and seed dissection, pumpkin life cycle in action, monarchs and their food sources, parts of the plant, eating a rainbow of colors, growing conditions for tomatoes, and soil composition, testing and analysis. 

What kinds of produce are found in the garden?

We try to incorporate foods that can easily be harvested and require little additional prep (cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, carrots) for use in the cafeteria’s salad bar. We have developed a relationship with our food services who have been eager to include school-grown student-harvested produce. We also like to plant produce that is fun (i.e. potatoes, carrots, herbs, native flowers) and connected to their learning targets (i.e. pumpkins).

Who harvests the produce?

The students and volunteers!

How is the garden produce used?

Harvested produce has been enjoyed in the classroom as a snack, used in the school's salad bar, put in a general bin for anyone to take and enjoy, donated to local organizations (food bank, CANMP) and a variety of our garden's bounty (canned pickles, dilly beans, fresh tomatoes, and flower arrangements) have been showcased at our school-wide BBQ.

How is the garden sustained and maintained?

Many people and organizations have volunteered and made donations to allow our garden to be sustainable and thrive. The school garden plots are part of Hallowell's larger community gardens. Being part of the community garden, the town of Hallowell donates two garden plots, rototills the garden each year, and provides easy access to water. We have great support from HDES leadership, staff, and teachers.. Our school families have been very generous in donating seedlings, expertise and their time. In spring, families are encouraged to participate in garden setup for 1-2 hours (installing fencing and garden fabric). Over the summer, families are asked to sign up for 1 week of garden maintenance (watering, weeding, pest control). Before winter sets in, families are again invited to put the garden “to bed”. A few organizations have also made donations (i.e. Coast of Maine, Johnny's Seeds and GroMore Grassroots Foundation) to sustain the garden throughout each season.

Garden Leadership Roles:

Garden Coordinator

Oversees the HDES garden operations including reserving garden plots from the City, creating an online sign-up sheet for weekly summer maintenance, and continuing the mission to bring all HDES students to the garden at least once in the Spring and Fall. Typically this role is active from April-October and joins the PTO meetings as frequently as possible.

Garden Installer

Organize the installation of the garden in Mid-May and lead volunteers in putting the garden to bed in October. 

Garden Curriculum Integrator

Communicates with teachers to set up times for student visits to the garden. Facilitates pre-developed garden lessons to HDES classes, sometimes as part of Outdoor Ed volunteer programming. Typically this is 1-2 weeks in June and throughout the month of September. 

Produce and Flower Processor

Harvests and delivers produce to the cafeteria, and flower arrangements front office. Typically this is 3-4 weeks throughout the month of September/October. 

Whether you have a green thumb or no experience at all, everyone can get involved with the HDES Garden - contact us to express your interest.