Ours was planned to go with many of the science programs. Dying plants, historically local plants, butterfly and bird attracting plants cover the area. The local garden club became involved. A woodland area with a pond for first grade tadpoles and frogs was a beautiful area. Reading writing, art and music take place in our garden.
Sundials adorn the walks during that unit and papermaking has a great home.
When we were building it we had free access to the building. Families came on weekends and all through the summer. Now, or the last two years, the buildings have been locked except for school hours, and all weekends. This summer the building will be locked to all for the whole summer except one week and a day before school begins. The garden has few helpers and workers during school hours, the emphasis in my school being memorizing and testing and drilling for math and science state tests.