Hills School Garden

The Hills School Garden is currently 1800 square feet, and is laid out in a compound keyholedesign to maximize growing space.  Various aspects of permaculture practice, such as no-till gardening, companion planting, and composting are being employed to increase soil health and plant fertility.

During the past year the  program has involved education on soil, planting (timing, types of seeds/plants, garden layout), cultivation, and harvesting.  Within the program, there is ongoing instruction in science (plant systems, weather, and organisms in the garden), math (rain gauge and totals, area, cooking), vocabulary (literature connections), and health(healthy eating and recipes).  This program also links nicely with our Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Grant.  This grant allows Hy-Vee , a local grocery store, to provide our students with a fresh fruit or vegetable snack at school three times per week.  

Long rangeplans for the garden include preparation of food using the garden’s produce, a farmer’s market to provide real-world opportunities to engage in marketing and finance,  and welcoming community members to eat at the Hills Community Center.

Possible future gardens include:

        Project specific gardens - implemented as specific learning expeditions (e.g.; pizza garden)

         A Pre-school sensory garden

         Restoration of the existing prairie to further support learning in science and social studies,             and to attract pollinators and wildlife

         Installation of rain gardens in the culverts in front of the school to manage rain-water run-       off, improve soil and water quality, increase presence of native plant species, and beautify the    front of the school.