Listen "61: How to Design a School Garden"
Episode Synopsis
Send us a textDesigning a school garden isn’t just about putting plants in the ground—it’s about creating a sustainable, low-maintenance space that engages students, thrives with minimal summer care, and becomes a true part of the school community.In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, I share my process for designing school gardens that actually work for teachers and students. Drawing from more than a decade of experience and my background as a Permaculture designer, I walk you through the key steps that transform a typical “hard-to-manage” garden into one that’s easy, productive, and magical.You’ll learn:The first step to garden design: choosing the right placement (sunlight, water access, visibility, and accessibility).Why fences and locks can backfire—and what works better for community involvement.How to create a planting plan that avoids common pitfalls, builds biodiversity, and supports healthy plant growth.The importance of guild planting (companions like tomatoes + basil + marigold) for resilience and success.Smart strategies to design for water conservation, including Hugelkultur, olla pots, mulching, and self-watering planters.Why biodiversity—not just tomatoes!—is the backbone of a thriving school garden.If you want your school garden to be more than a patch of plants—if you want it to be a living, learning, and lasting space—this episode will give you the foundation to design with ease.👉 Links & Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeSchool Gardens with Almost No Summer Maintenance Class – learn the full system for creating thriving, low-maintenance school gardens.Recommended Seeds for School Gardens GuideHow to Set Up Your Garden Hose for Volunteers
More episodes of the podcast School Gardens with Ease
66: Can a Teacher Run a School Garden Solo?
04/10/2025
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