Organic garden opens at Ormondale School Organic garden opens at Ormondale School (October 13, 2004)

Each grade will have its area to plan, plant and tend.

By Marjorie Mader
Almanac Staff Writer

Ormondale School's organic garden is now open and ready for students to plan, plant, tend and harvest crops of their choice.

Each grade level -- from kindergarten through third grade -- will have its own planting area in the fenced, raised garden, built on a slight hill near the new parking area and playing field at the Portola Valley school.

Students in each grade and their teachers will decide what to grow, and will care for their plots.

"We've talked about having a school garden for many years," said Principal Eva Gal. "The garden will integrate our science curriculum and service learning program," she said.

An earlier garden was demolished due to school construction.

Parents Michael and Christina Howes told Ms. Gal they wanted to do a project for the school now that renovation was completed. He asked her for suggestions. A school garden was at the top of the list, and the Howeses offered to build it.

The garden's official opening took place at an all-school assembly September 15. It has about 450 square feet of raised planting beds, a paved outdoor classroom area, and compost bins.

Deer- and rodent-proof fencing encloses the 90-by-16-foot garden. There's a dedicated "butterfly garden," where students will observe the life cycle of butterflies.

Parent Deb Smith, an experienced organic gardener, designed the layout and sprinkler system, working with Ms. Gal and teachers.

Mr. Howes' firm, MCB Remodeling, provided the specifications, materials, labor, foundation and drip-irrigation system. Carpenter Kevin Tidwell oversaw the project.

Second-grade teachers Deena Gardyn and Ara Davis completed a service-learning training program during the summer, and plan to use the garden as one of the main focuses for second-grade students. They volunteered to take charge of the school-wide garden program.

Julie White from the Ormondale Site Council will coordinate parent volunteers.

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