The Problem
Our community experiences food insecurity and habitat loss. We want to provide a space where our community can gather and grow their own food while providing habitat for pollinators and wildlife.
Our Plan
We are planning to expand our garden and create a new 20 by 50 feet space that will enrich the area for all.
Themes Addressed
-
Biodiversity Loss
![term icon]()
-
Food Insecurity
![term icon]()
-
Invasive Species
![term icon]()
-
Pollinators
![term icon]()
The Benefit
-
People
![term icon]()
-
Animals
![term icon]()
-
Environment
![term icon]()
Here is how the project went:
The Roots and Shoots grant was instrumental in helping us obtain materials and plants to create our new wildflower bed and vine arch. The funds went mainly into two areas in the garden. First, we used the funds to buy wildflowers for our 4 x 50 wildflower garden bed. Second, we used the funds to buy materials to build a 12 feet high by 15 feet wide arch and to also buy native vining plants such as coral honeysuckle and maypops. With the remainder of the funds we were able to supplement our garden soil with some bagged topsoil and use that to help establish our sunflower bed. These three areas will all work together to further our goals of creating habitat for pollinators and other wildlife, building biodiversity, and creating green space for students to enjoy and experience nature. Students have already been involved in the planting of these flowers and have been active in our biweekly workdays. Students have been able to see the growth cycle of strawberry plants and see the role that ladybugs have in controlling aphid populations. This has allowed students to see how interconnected and complicated life is in an ecosystem. I look forward to reconnecting with these students when they return to school in August to see the plants they planted in full bloom.
Through this project I/we learned:
I learned that growing site conditions are crucial for plant success.
What I/we might change:
I would focus on one project and be sure that area is completed before moving onto other areas of our garden.
My/our favorite part of this project was:
I enjoyed working with the families and getting to meet my students parents.
Some tips, tricks or fun facts about the project:
Work before the sun is hot! Pull weeds after it rains.
