Kitchen Garden News
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
Kitchen-Garden News
In our last 2 weeks of Term 2, I was so pleased to see and welcome all grade 3> 6 students back to face to face learning in our winter garden for their 2-hour K.G block. For many students it was exciting to see how much has changed in the garden since Term 1. Pumpkin vines and Jerusalem artichoke stalks are dying back, as they come to the end of their growing cycle and small Brassica seedlings planted in early March, such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale and mustard greens are growing well. Some have even bolted due to the amount of sunshine! Our radishes have grown larger than what would be delicious to eat, visualise tennis balls! We will let them stay in the ground, set flowers and save the seeds.
Students have enjoyed looking closely at legume seeds, labelling seed parts and documenting the conditions needed for a successful germination process to occur.
We have all learnt how easy it is to make your own seedling pots with newspaper and how to plant a seed correctly.
Students have harnessed their teamwork and creativity skills, as they have made many climbing tepees and decorated them beautifully for the many varieties of legumes to grow up. Beetroot, radish, calendula and lettuce seeds have been directly sown in our beautiful enriched soil.
Harvesting has included cumquats, oranges, lemons, tamarillos.
Purple-Congo potato hunting has been an exciting activity for grade 3 students to experience for the first time, as you can see from the efforts in the photographs. From the largest specimens to the tinniest potatoes, every-one found elicited yells of triumph! I will store these with soil over them for Term 3 kitchen classes.
Have a safe Term break,
As always….. when you can:“garden, cook and share with those you love”
Desley & Tully
****RESOURCE NEEDED if you have any at home:
Assorted coloured wools/ribbons/strings.
Please drop into the office.
About the Kitchen Garden Program
Collingwood College students participate in our Kitchen Garden Program as part of their school curriculum in Grades 3-6. Garden classroom occur outside in all weather conditions, with students learning, exploring and practising the skills and knowledge to grow a diverse range of vegetables, fruit and herbs using organic growing methods. Students then harvest our seasonal produce for cooking a range of (95% vegetarian) delicious dishes in their kitchen classroom. The student’s learn and practise kitchen skills, techniques and terminology and also importantly, their communication skills, creativity and teamwork while dishes are being prepared.
Students, staff and volunteers sit at beautifully set tables sharing the dishes created. Voicing opinions respectfully, as all students can benefit from sharing their individual learning efforts. Knowledge is documented in Kitchen garden books and shared to our school community via email, E/news, display boards and importantly by our students.
For our students, an integral part of the enjoyment and richness of the classroom experience is the depth and loyalty of volunteering we have for our school program. These exceptional people of all ages, interests, backgrounds and skills ensure our curriculum goals are supported for our students. Potential volunteers do not need garden or cooking experience! Attributes we seek are a personal interest to support our K.G program philosophy, assisting students in their learning around food diversity, seasonality, sustainability, garden and cooking skills. The K.G learning importantly supports and explores student’s emotional connection and enjoyment in regards to growing and cooking seasonal food. Good humour and the excitement of learning new skills and knowledge in a shared environment, the ability to commit to a day/time are also attributes we seek in our volunteers.
We welcome applications from persons in our school community, or friends/family who wish to apply to be a Kitchen garden volunteer. Please send an email to me at
Insall.desley.d@edumail.vic.gov.au
Please look at our school website (K.G page), if you are new to our school community for more information. Classes run in Monday-Wednesday.
For those who may want to support our students and teachers in another way-we are always thank-full for people to garden outside class times or on other days. Please feel free to email me with any questions. Tours for potential volunteers will usually occur after school hours with arrangement.
With thanks,
Desley Insall
Kitchen Garden Specialist Teacher & Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer Information Kit
Permission Forms, Media & Allergy for Volunteers