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Schools

School Notes: Stone Mountain Elementary School's Garden Project

School Notes is a new feature on Stone Mountain Patch that puts the spotlight on one area school at a time, highlighting new or interesting things going on at that school.

Stone Mountain Elementary's Garden Project was first conceived in 2005.  We launched it in 2007, with the organization of the Junior Master Gardener Club for interested students, and the development of a garden and outdoor classroom in the courtyard with funds from garden grants.  Since those beginnings, the program has continued to grow to become an important part of the school and a source of pride to both the school and the community. 

The program is now called the Garden Earth Naturalist Club (GEN) in honor of the interdisciplinary curriculum, correlated with Georgia Professional Standards, supplied by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.  Through participation each year, the thirty fourth and fifth grade students who join the club with little more than an interest in nature, have gained knowledge about plant ecology, soils, and hydrology, as well as hands-on gardening skills. These same students spread the word about conservation and help to raise awareness of nature and all aspects of the environment throughout the school.  

The outdoor classroom area and the other two gardens were originally designed with one of our community partners, the school master gardener teachers, the administration, and the GEN Club.  The students devised the raised garden plan surrounding the classroom in geometric shapes.  Each garden is different:  most were planted with pollinating plants, one with fruits, and several with vegetables.  This garden and the two in the front of the building must be refurbished this year due to the drought experienced last summer.

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In the front of the school near the main entry, we have a pollinator garden that also includes azaleas and a Japanese maple tree.  This garden is approximately 48 square feet.  Another pollinator garden in the front, near the cafeteria entrance is about 40 square feet, and the huge outdoor classroom garden area is approximately1016 square feet.

The club and community groups have already started to clean the areas on our workdays that are held every other week until after spring vacation.  On April 12, 2011, we must begin to put in the soil amendment, additional soil, cypress mulch, and plants.

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The pollination and nectar plants we had originally put in the garden were selected from the National Wildlife Federation Guide, the Georgia Wildlife Federation, and a flyer from Fernbank Science Center, DeKalb County Schools.  They included: weigeia, milkweed, black-eyed Susans, purple conefowers, verbena, yarrow, salvia, fennel, parsley, dill, sage, rosemary, pipevine, passion vine, native trumpet vine, strawberries, native honeysuckle, et al.  Of course, we need to plant annuals such as sunflowers and marigolds, again.  There’s no problem with the dandelions or clover – we have plenty of those!

We welcome community help to lead and work.  Please contact Laurie Crooks at llc2794@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us for further information and offers of help!

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