School Kitchen Garden

Different plants such as tomatoes, spinach, coriander, brinjal and mint are being grown in the nursery.

No. The plants were planted at different times because each plant has its own suitable growing season and takes a different amount of time to mature.

No. Some plants, such as mango trees, need much more space and deeper soil. Small vegetables, leafy plants and herbs are more suitable for a kitchen garden.

The soil is ploughed or dug, loosened and cleared of stones and weeds. It is then mixed with manure or compost before seeds or seedlings are planted.

Plants receive additional nutrition from manure, compost, vermicompost, fertilisers and proper watering.

Plants can be protected by fencing the garden, using organic pesticides such as neem spray and placing a scarecrow to keep away birds and animals.

1. I learnt how a small seed grows into a large plant.

2. I learnt how farmers care for plants with natural manure and compost.

The kitchen garden can be made in both the available land and pots, depending on the space and materials available in the school.

We will measure the length and width of the selected rectangular area using a measuring tape. We will calculate its area using the formula: Area = Length × Width.

We selected a place with good sunlight, proper water drainage, access to water and enough space for plants to grow. The paths also allow us to reach every plant easily.

We used kitchen waste, dry leaves, fruit peels, other biodegradable waste, water and red earthworms.

We added vegetable peels, fruit peels, coffee grounds and eggshells. We did not add meat, oily food, dairy products or citrus fruits.

The food scraps and dry leaves slowly decomposed. After some time, the material became dark, crumbly and rich, with an earthy smell.

We removed stones, weeds and other waste from the soil. We then loosened the soil and mixed it thoroughly with organic manure.

Yes. We mixed one part organic manure with three parts soil to make the soil fertile.

No. Small leafy plants required less space, whereas tomato and brinjal plants required more room to grow.

We will use bamboo sticks, wooden poles or old pipes as posts and strong string to join them.

The exact quantity depends on the size and perimeter of the garden. A larger garden requires more poles and a longer string. We will measure the boundary before collecting the materials.

A plant needs water when the upper soil feels dry, the leaves begin to droop or the plant looks less fresh.

We should check the soil daily and water the plants in the morning or evening whenever needed. We must avoid overwatering and waterlogging.

Early morning or late afternoon is the best time because less water is lost through evaporation.

Weather, season, plant type, plant size, soil type, drainage and the growth stage of the plant affect how much and how often it should be watered.

We harvested spinach, tomatoes and brinjals.

The vegetables had reached the proper size, changed to their mature colour and looked fresh and ripe.

We used gardening shears, a garden trowel and our hands.

We handled the plants gently and used the tools carefully. We cut the produce without pulling or damaging the stems, roots and remaining leaves.

We sorted and washed the vegetables and used them in our school kitchen.

I enjoyed planting seeds and watching them grow.

Protecting plants from insects and watering them daily was a challenge.

I will use better fencing and organise plant spacing properly.

Good sunlight, water, organic manure and pest control helped the plants grow. If the plants did not grow well, I would use better soil, protect them from pests and water them properly.

Farmer, gardener, agricultural scientist and organic farming expert are jobs related to this project.