Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden

Sonia Nista  

Kitchen Specialist

Liz Scott

Garden Specialist

News from the ‘Patch’

‘The garden is the key, the students are the custodians of the PATCH’

Our winter and early spring crops are well on the way. 

Our broccoli has formed small heads due to the sunny week we had during the school holidays. Having those couple of warmer days has sent them into shooting up their heads, to flower in order to set their seeds. I will cut those small heads off and hopefully, we will get some more dense heads to harvest. It just goes to show us how the weather plays a part and can interfere with the plant's growth.

Volunteering

When we are allowed to welcome our classroom helpers back to school, feel free to join students in the garden. 

Experience the joy, wonderment, watch and listen to what it takes to grow our produce to use in the kitchen. Learn to value the garden, enjoy being outside, soaking up the sun, working out muscles, using our hands and giving our minds a break from technology.

Come and spend some time in the space where it all begins. 

‘New Compost Bins’

We have 3 new compost bins up in our garden. These bins will replace all other existing bins. On returning to school students can now empty their compost bin into either of these. The bins are located near the lemon tree for junior school and there is another near the chicken enclosure for middle and senior students. The compost bin is for fruit and vegetable scraps only.

What seeds to grow now?

Lettuce, rocket, perpetual spinach,

beetroot, carrot, chilli, capsicum, eggplant, tomatoes are the seeds you will need if you are wanting to plant your own spring vegetables. Now is the time to get your seeds in. These are best planted into seed trays and kept in a greenhouse. If you do not have a greenhouse, you can make one by recycling plastic containers and sitting them in a plastic bag in a warm sheltered space, preferably against a brick wall that receives morning sun. You can also refer to our Learning Hub from last year under SAKG Garden for more information.

Congratulations!!

We have been successful in receiving a grant of $1000 for new garden beds and a bonus $200 voucher to purchase bee attracting plants to build a pollinating garden. 

We will work with students to create this garden near where our new beds are. This will encourage bees to come to help with the pollination of our veggies. Many thanks go to Junior Landcare and Woolworths for partnering and giving this opportunity in offering grants for community groups to apply.