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Planning The Garden

Lesson Pillar 2: Agricultural Skills

Introduction: This lesson teaches youth crew members the basics of garden planning. Of equal importance is that this lesson allows youth the opportunity to share what they are most interested in growing – and eating! This lesson is best after exposure to the growing space and knowledge has been developed around basic agricultural tasks. Crew members will therefore have a better understanding of the space itself (limits and capabilities), and of the breadth of the entire growing project. Goals:

• Educate youth on basic principles for successful gardening in order to help them plan their own garden space.

Objectives: • Youth will learn how to read a planting calendar and seed catalog. • Youth will learn the factors to consider when planning a growing space. • Youth will produce their growing plan and will share the types of vegetables they are

most interested in growing. Youth will generate multiple garden designs which will inform staff’s design of space.

Materials: White board/newsprint Large papers Markers LA Growing calendar Seed catalogs Dimensions of planting spaces Journals and pens/pencils (optional) Time: 60 minutes

2/2 Procedure: 1. Planting overview: (10 min)

Brainstorm, and then outline the most important factors to consider: Sun, water, time, seed or transplant

2. Work in 3 groups to plan out the Grow Dat space (30 min) Each team will work with staff member and will select their top 6-8 crops they would like to grow and then give a basic layout for the garden space.

Questions to consider: • Bed orientation • Individual plots or collective space? • Irrigation • First harvest date for each variety selected

3. Crew member teams present each drawing to larger group (20 min) Closing: Have youth share what they are looking forward to the most about growing and why. Or, do this as a journal exercise and have them include and reflections on previous experiences in gardening or working outside.