A group of 30 volunteers built 12 raised garden beds at Palm Valley Academy on a July Saturday morning. The gardens will serve as living classrooms during the school year year and will be tended to by students, teachers and volunteers.
The UF/IFAS Extension St. Johns County Master Gardener Program, coordinated by Horticulture Extension Agent, Terra Freeman, was awarded a $1,500 grant from the Florida Master Gardener Legacy Fund to expand garden enrichment opportunities offered in county schools.
“Whether they are learning about soil science, growing vegetables or providing plants for pollinators, this community effort is sure to be appreciated by students for years to come,” said Horticulture Extension Agent, Terra Freeman.
The process involved constructing 12 raised beds using pre-cut lumber, followed by laying down thick layers of newspaper to naturally kill grass and weeds. In each bed, the newspaper was topped with a yard of compost and a bale of peat moss to provide a rich soil blend for growing vegetables or flowers. Each bed was topped with a layer of landscape fabric to keep the weeds at bay until the beds are planted.
“This was a great team effort, providing that many hands make for light work,” said PVA Principal Jessica Richardson. “In just over two hours, volunteers worked together to create 12 raised garden beds that will provide countless learning opportunities for all of our students. It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning.”
