The climate is ideal for growing vegetables, flowers and other plants. The soil is made up of mostly clay that sucks all the water when the gardens are watered, but causes water to stand on top of the soil. The soil can be very challenging. They are located on the sides of the school. The gardens began in 1992 as a project between Abingdon and the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History.
Different classes use the garden and it is open to all students and staff.
We plant a variety of plants in both gardens. The gardens are living learning labs where we have special lessons and events. Abingdon Elementary is located in Arlington County, Virginia. The county thinks Arlington is urban, but the people think it is suburban. There are over 185,550 people who live there.