Gardening with raised beds
Raised flowerbeds
The pleasures of gardening seem to be set deep within for many of us and you can never be too young to learn the basics of what may give a lifetime of enjoyment. Gardening can also be used to encourage research and learning.Why choose raised flowerbeds?
In raised beds you are likely to get fewer weeds and will have better drainage than in flower beds at ground level. You will still get pests such as slugs and snails but they are likely to be fewer in number. If the local soil is poor then this approach will overcome the problem as the beds are filled only with selected rich soil and compost. In fact, since you can make the soil of whatever pH you choose, you can grow whatever plants you wish and not be restricted to what is suitable only for the local soil-type.Raised beds are excellent for children with physical disabilities as their design prevents having to kneeling down on the ground: in fact raised beds can be easily worked by wheelchair-users, and teachers also may appreciate having less distance to bend!
It is a good idea to incorporate some bench seating into the chosen design so that you can sit and enjoy the plants at the raised level, especially if scented plants are grown. Apart from all the practical reasons, raised beds can provide a very attractive visual feature in the school grounds.
Construction
Construction of raised beds can be of relatively simple wood construction, or more permanent from brick or stone. This could be a good project to involve enthusiastic parents!The height needs to be at least 40cm (16 inches) so that there is enough depth of soil not to dry out too quickly and to give roots plenty of space. Be sure to keep the beds fairly narrow so that it is easy to reach across to maintain them.If you choose a timber construction, do not use old railway sleepers or other wood impregnated with chemicals, which may be harmful to both children and to the plants (especially vegetables which you might subsequently eat). Some form of lining will serve to keep the soil from directly touching the wood and will make it last longer. Allow drainage gaps at the bottom so that the soil does not become waterlogged in wet weather.
Soil
You will find that you have a surprisingly-large bed to fill with soil. Put a layer of stones and rubble at the bottom to improve drainage. Use a mixture of topsoil, organic garden compost which has been decomposing on the school compost heap (!) and some manure. You can also add specific commercial composts such as an ericaceous variety if you wish to grow acid-loving plants like azaleas and heathers. You need to be sure there is plenty of aerating material, but do not use organic peat (for environmental reasons) - there are plenty of peat substitutes (such as coir) which serve the same purpose without destroying our precious bog and fenland environments.Planting
Have fun - you can grow plants for colour and scent, vegetables to promote healthy eating, plants to encourage learning, such as a scientific study of different varieties of e.g. carrots or potatoes. There are so many things you can grow and the choice is yours. You will love to watch your plants grow and care for them. Choose plants which are at their best during termtime. Planting can be closer together than usual because of the excellence of the soil. Make sure everyone is involved in decisions.
A few examples of plants you might choose:
Vegetables: carrots, beans, radishes, potatoes and other root crops will grow well in such good soil.
For scent: mint, lavender, rosemary, nicotiana, some geraniums,
Herbs: mint, lavender, rosemary, thyme, basil,
For colour: bedding dahlias, marigolds, aubretia, busy lizzy, foxgloves.
Bulbs: Include bulbs such as tulips and daffodils.