SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN SCHOOL GARDENING

Growing a Greener Future

School gardens are more than just beautiful, green spaces in schools—they’re hands-on learning tools that teach students about the environment, responsibility, and sustainable practices. With growing awareness about climate change and environmental impact, it’s essential to manage these gardens sustainably. By incorporating eco-friendly gardening techniques, schools can set an example for long-term sustainability and inspire students to carry these practices into their lives. 

Here are some key sustainable practices that can make school gardening eco-friendly and impactful.

1. Composting: Turning Waste into Nourishment

Composting is one of the most effective ways to reduce waste and enrich soil naturally. By converting kitchen scraps, garden clippings, and other organic materials into compost, schools can create nutrient-rich soil without relying on synthetic fertilizers.

Benefits of Composting in School Gardens:

• Reduces Waste: Redirects organic waste from landfills, where it would otherwise produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
• Enriches Soil: Compost improves soil structure, retains moisture, and encourages the growth of beneficial microorganisms.
• Educational Value: Students learn the science behind decomposition and the value of waste reduction.

How to Get Started with Composting:

• Set up compost bins or piles in a designated area.
• Collect organic waste from the school cafeteria or classrooms.
• Teach students to balance “green” (nitrogen-rich) and “brown” (carbon-rich) materials for effective composting.

2. Water Conservation: Efficient Use of a Precious Resource

With climate change causing water scarcity in many regions, conserving water is a critical component of sustainable gardening. Schools can adopt various techniques to reduce water waste and make the most of this essential resource.

• Drip Irrigation: This system delivers water directly to the plant roots, minimizing evaporation and runoff.
• Rainwater Harvesting: Installing rain barrels to capture rainwater from rooftops provides a free and sustainable water source for the garden.
• Mulching: Adding a layer of organic mulch around plants helps retain soil moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering.

By incorporating these methods, school gardens can save water, lower costs, and teach students about responsible resource management.

3. Organic Pest Control: Protecting Plants without Harmful Chemicals

Organic pest control methods protect plants from harmful insects without using synthetic pesticides, which can harm beneficial insects, pollute water, and disrupt the ecosystem.

• Beneficial Insects: Introducing ladybugs, lacewings, and other beneficial insects helps keep pest populations in check.
• Neem Oil and Natural Sprays: Organic sprays made from neem oil or garlic are effective against common pests and safe for plants and humans.
• Companion Planting: Growing certain plants together, like marigolds with tomatoes, deters pests naturally.

Organic pest control not only keeps plants healthy but also creates a safer environment for students to learn and interact with the garden.

4. Planting Native and Drought-Resistant Species

Choosing plants that are native to the region or drought-resistant can significantly reduce the garden’s environmental footprint. Native plants are well adapted to local climate conditions and often require less water and maintenance than non-native species.

Why Native and Drought-Resistant Plants?

• Lower Water and Maintenance Needs: These plants are naturally resilient to local weather, reducing the need for intensive watering and fertilizing.
• Supports Local Wildlife: Native plants attract local pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds, supporting biodiversity.
• Teaches Ecological Awareness: Students learn about the local ecosystem and the importance of biodiversity.

5. Seed Saving and Plant Propagation

Encouraging students to save seeds and propagate plants is a cost-effective and sustainable way to maintain the garden year after year. Seed saving reduces the need to buy new seeds, promotes biodiversity, and preserves heirloom varieties.

Benefits of Seed Saving and Propagation:

• Cost-Effective: Saves money on buying seeds annually.
• Promotes Genetic Diversity: Growing plants from saved seeds increases biodiversity and resilience in the garden.
• Empowers Students: Students learn the complete plant life cycle, from seed to harvest, making them more connected to the growing process.

A Greener Future through Sustainable School Gardening

School gardens offer an excellent opportunity to teach students valuable life skills and environmental stewardship. By implementing these sustainable practices—composting, conserving water, using organic pest control, planting native species, and saving seeds—schools can reduce their environmental impact and foster a generation of eco-conscious students. Sustainable gardening not only benefits the school but also inspires students to take these practices into their own homes and communities, promoting a greener, more sustainable future.

With the right guidance and a bit of green-thumb enthusiasm, school gardens can be powerful tools for both education and environmental impact. Let’s continue to grow greener together! 🌱

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Let's look at some of the responses received from Instagram: 

@aisha_bagha - 

"Collect rainwater"

@karuvadgraphy -

"Exploring mini ecosystems like a mini pond with fishes; the water will be used for plants later."

@veda_.organics -

"Reusing water e.g. one from washing veggies to water plants." 

@_real_rizwana -

"Zero waste"

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5. CHOOSE SUSTAINABLE

Making smart life choices and choosing sustainable is another way to go in saving the planet by reducing your carbon footprint. 

Choosing sustainability in your daily life doesn't have to be complicated. Here are simple steps you can take every day to make more eco-friendly choices. These simple steps may seem small, but collectively they contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle: 

1. Use Reusable Bags: Bring your own reusable bags when shopping to reduce the need for plastic bags.

2. Switch Off Lights: Turn off lights and electronic devices when you leave a room or when they're not in use to conserve energy.

3. Carpool or Use Public Transportation: Share rides with others or use public transportation to reduce your carbon footprint when commuting.

4. Conserve Water: Be mindful of water usage by fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, and turning off the tap when not needed.

5. Choose Local and Seasonal Produce: Support local farmers and reduce the environmental impact of transportation by choosing seasonal produce.

6. Sustainable Food Choices : Consider adopting a meatless day each week to reduce your overall carbon footprint associated with meat production.

7. Recycle Properly: Sort and recycle paper, glass, plastic, and aluminum to divert waste from landfills. Opt to have a compost bin.

8. Unplug Chargers: Unplug chargers and electronic devices when they're not actively charging to save energy.

8. Opt for Eco-Friendly Products: Choose products made from sustainable materials and support brands with eco-friendly practices.

9. Plant a Tree or Maintain Green Spaces: Contribute to environmental conservation by planting trees or participating in community green initiatives.

10. Reduce Paper Usage: Opt for digital documents whenever possible to minimize paper consumption.

11. Support Thrift Stores: Embrace second-hand shopping to extend the life of products and reduce the demand for new production.

12. Use a Reusable Water Bottle: Carry a reusable water bottle to reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles.

13. Compost Kitchen Scraps: Turn food waste into nutrient-rich compost for your garden instead of sending it to landfills.

14. Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about environmental issues and share your knowledge with friends and family to promote awareness.

Lets take a look at some of the sustainable tips we received from Instagram: 

@aisha_bagha -

" Avoid disposable items." 

@rewireyourmindsetstrategy

" Anything that can be reused instead of one time use. " 

SIMPLE WAYS TO APPLY 3Rs IN YOUR DAILY LIFE

In our previous chapters we saw the importance of Recycling, Reusing and Reducing waste. In this chapter let us take a look at how we can apply the 3Rs in our daily life and protect the environment. 

Ways to reduce the amount of waste you create

1. Only buy what you need, and use what you buy

2. Buy loose fruit and vegetables and avoid items that are heavily packaged

3. Sign up to paperless billing or banking

4. Buy products with refillable packaging

5. If you are able, try home composting your food waste

6. Use refillable water bottles and coffee cups

7. Buy second hand clothing and consider hiring clothing

8. Have a go at replacing buttons and mending faulty zips or fallen hems rather than buying new clothing

9. Buy items that will have a longer life than disposable items, such as rechargeable batteries and use real crockery and cutlery for your parties instead of disposable ones

10. Avoid the use of disposable goods, such as lighters, paper cups and plastics

11. Purchase products made from recycled materials

12. Adopt the use of recycled paper for copier paper, letterhead and newsletters

Ways to reuse

1. Donate items that are still in a good, usable condition to charities or charity shops

2. Repurpose glass, plastic and cardboard containers to give them another life

3. Carry a re-usable shopping bag. Use cloth bags when buying groceries. 

4. Re-use wrapping paper or gift bags

5. Convert old clothing, towels or sheets into cleaning rags/cloths

6. Instead of using plastic wraps, use resalable containers

7. Use dishcloths instead of using paper towels

Let us now take a look at what some of the ways our social media families apply the 3Rs in their lives:

Instagram: 

@aisha_bagha -

" 1. Reusing scrap paper for writing notes. 

2. Buy loose fresh food as per our needs rather than pre-packaged. "

@rewireyourmindsetstrategy -

"Try to reuse stuff as much as possible"

@motivated_mamaof3 -

"Go Digital!"

Facebook:

Mary Jean Ernst -

" I no longer buy laundry detergent in plastic jugs. I use the dry laundry sheets, instead & have for past 3 years. I've tried about every brand and they all seem to work. I'm currently using Clearalif...bought on Amazon. However, I've used Earth Breeze & other well advertised brands. They are all good, but some seem to be more powerful on really dirty greasy boys & men's jeans.....Clearalif for one! "

1. REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE

‘Reduce, reuse and recycle’ targets waste and ultimately avoids making it in the first place. The three R's of sustainability—reduce, reuse, and recycle—are critical because they not only reduce the environmental impact of human activity but also conserve natural resources and protect the environment for future generations.

REDUCE :  How can I reduce the amount of waste I produce?

Waste prevention reduces the generation of waste in the first place, so it is the most preferred method of waste management and goes a long way toward protecting the environment. You can reduce waste by:

• Purchasing durable, long-lasting goods.
• Seeking products and packaging that are as toxic free.
• Redesigning products to use less raw material in production, have a longer life, or be used again after its original use.
• Only buy what you need
• Buy in bulk
• Look for items that you can re-use

REUSE : How can I reuse what I have?

This looks at how you can use certain items again before replacing them. Here are some ideas:

• Refill a water bottle with water from home instead of buying a new one
• Update your computer rather than throwing it out and getting a replacement
• Ditch plastic bags and choose reusable, environmentally-friendly bags instead
• Use durable coffee mugs.
• Reuse boxes.
• Purchase refillable pens and pencils.
• Participate in a paint collection and reuse program.
• Use cloth napkins or towels.
• Donate old magazines or surplus equipment.
• Turn empty jars into containers for leftover food.

As well as helping the environment, you could save money too!

RECYCLE : How can I recycle the products I use?

Before you throw something away, think about whether all or part of it could be recycled. Recycling prevents the emissions of many greenhouse gases and water pollutants, and saves energy. Materials that can be recycled include: 

• Glass
• Cardboard
• Aluminum
• Lead batteries
• Paper
• Textile
• Wood

Sometimes, two more 'R's can be added to the three basic ones.

• Rethink can be added to the start of the list. It means we should think about the way our actions impact the environment.
• Recover is sometimes added to the end of the list. It refers to the act of putting waste products to use. For example, decomposing garbage produces methane gas, which can be recovered and burnt to produce energy.

Let us look at some of the comments we received from our Instagram family: 

@its_winnie_cheche -

" Recycling, Repurposing & Reusing"

@aisha_bagha -

" Prevents emission of greenhouse gasses and water pollutants, and saves energy."

@rewireyourmindsetstrategy -

" Less waste in the environment"

@zainab_akadir -

"Conserve natural resources" 

ZERO HUNGER CHALLENGE GOALS

 1. Sustainable Food Systems. 

Making sure that the food cycle from agriculture to consumption are sustainable. Food security and nutrition for everyone are provided through sustainable food systems, which do not jeopardize the economic, social, or environmental foundations that will provide food security and nutrition for future generations. This will include transforming into climate-friendly agricultural techniques, such as diversifying output, taking climate change into consideration. 

2. Double Small-Scale Producer Incomes and Productivity to End Rural Poverty.

Ending rural poverty would need a concerted effort to boost small-scale farmers' revenue. Small-scale farmers are also crucial to feeding a growing global population in a sustainable manner. This would entail enhancing people's well-being through sustainable livelihoods, such as raising smallholder income and production as well as providing adequate rural jobs.

3. Adapt all Food Systems to Prevent Food Loss or Waste.

Adapting all food systems to a more sustainable method entails minimizing food losses during production, storage, and transportation, as well as food waste by retailers and consumers; enabling consumer choice; and pledges from producers, retailers, and consumers around the globe. 

4. All People Have Access to Adequate Food and Healthy Diets Throughout the Year.

Increasing people's resistance to shocks and pressures through addressing poverty and injustice. Food access, which is the foundation of a healthy and varied diet, is inextricably tied to both rights – notably equity and women's rights – and resilience.

5. Abolition of all Types of Malnutrition.

Poverty and inequality are both causes and consequences of malnutrition.

Undernutrition can produce hidden hunger, wasting, and stunting, all of which have lasting consequences for both people and society. Childhood obesity is on the rise in many parts of the world. To combat stunting, ensuring widespread access to healthy meals between the beginning of pregnancy and a child's second birthday is critical.

A multi-sectoral strategy should be used to assist this, including nutrition-sensitive health care, water, sanitation, education, agriculture, social protection, and particular nutrition interventions, as well as programs to empower women.

Thank you to all who answered our blog question on social media. Here are the answered we received: 

@aisha_bagha - 

"Ensure food access for everyone, improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture." 

@mentor_quresha -

"Enough food, good nutrition and healthy balanced diet." 

@_real_rizwana -

"Sustainable agriculture" 

@_sustainable_solutions -

" Ease accessible to food& water." 

@_nussy.nus_ - 

" 1. End hunger 2. Achieve food security & improved nutrition 3. Promote sustainable agriculture "