Northwoods School Garden seeks to teach children where real food comes from while gently encouraging them towards healthier eating habits. But the garden is not just for learning about food and nutrition. It stimulates curiosity, encourages wonder, and promotes teamwork, responsibility and patience. It offers lessons in science and ecology, of course, but also math, social studies, economics, history, arts and literature. The Northwoods School Garden provides a place for our school and community to continue to learn and grow.
Construction on the Northwoods School Garden began in the summer of 2013 with start up funding from our PTA. It is a community project which, except for a guttering job, has been built solely by volunteers. An estimated 65% of the garden has been built using reused decking thanks to a partnership with a local contractor. We continue to strive to reuse and repurpose where possible, and aim to purchase materials which are biodegradable or recyclable. Our garden uses no chemicals and is watered with rain collected in a cistern.
Help us maintain our fantastic garden! The PTA is seeking two volunteers to help lead garden activities. Working in the garden is a fun way to interact with NWES students and teachers and an excellent opportunity to connect with other parents and volunteers. Duties include seasonal planning of the garden beds, starting and transplanting seeds, organizing recess in the garden, and helping with maintenance. Contact Carol Clark at koalatygarden@gmail.com and put your green thumb to use!
Visit the Garden
Have you visited our beautiful garden yet? Find more details on our garden Northwoods School Garden Facebook Page. Our Facebook page has information about upcoming garden workdays, events and programs. To learn more about the history of our school garden, check out this article from Advocates for Health in Action
How to find the Garden
The Northwoods Garden is located behind the school, next to the new modular building.
If you are coming to the garden to volunteer for the Garden Recess program, make sure to sign in at the front office before heading to the garden. If parking in the visitor lot, follow the new driveway behind the dumpsters, and come around to the back of the new modular to reach the garden.
Be sure to also check out the garden info sign, located near the carpool pickup. The sign is updated with information on upcoming garden workdays, meetings and programs!
Garden News
Litter Sweep and Garden Upkeep Following Early Release Friday March 24th
Parents and students are invited to get the garden, grounds, and our Adopt-a-Spot greenway area ready for spring! We’ll meet in the garden immediately following early release at 1:45. Please…
Garden Workday – Sunday, April 24 2022
April is Earth Month, and you can celebrate with your Northwoods family at a special Garden Workday on Sunday, April 24 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Sign up today! For…
Recess in the Garden Signup – April-May 2022
Recess in the Garden has brought dozens of students from all grades into the garden to grow food and flowers. Help keep the momentum growing by donating an hour of your…
Spring 2022 Recess in the Garden Volunteers Wanted!
Spring is near, and we want all Northwoods koalas to experience the wonder of growing food and flowers. Adult volunteers are needed to lead small groups of students in working…
School Garden – Fall 2021 Maintenance
Thanks to a few volunteers, the garden is starting to shape up!As we begin to make plans to get kids back into the garden, we’d love your help with maintaining…
Summer 2021 Adopt-A-Week in the Garden!
The signup for Adopt-A-Week in the Garden is now live! PLEASE NOTE, because of construction, the garden will only be accessible on evenings and weekends. If you are not available…
Get Involved
Interested in getting involved with Northwoods School Garden?
- Sign up for Build Our Soil Program to bring compostable kitchen scraps from home.
- Bring shredded paper to compost.
- Pick up coffee grounds from local coffee shops and bring to the garden (Starbucks, McDonalds at Preston, or Brew).
- Join Compost Now and have your compost donated to NSG!
- Sign up to volunteer to take a small group of children into the garden during recess or morning club.
- Join us for a weekend Garden Workday.
- Sign up to Adopt-a-Week in the garden this summer!
For more information, use the form below to contact our PTA Garden Coordinators