December 2011 Committee Meeting Notes

Central School Yard - Landscaping and Community Garden Committee
December 7, 2011 Meeting

Attendees: Ron, Kelley, Becky, Patti, Ruby, Larry, Heather

Previous Action Items Discussed
1. The area for the vegetable beds was measured and first 2 beds will go along the back fence (perpendicular to Clark Ave). Subsequent beds can be added at an angle to work around the hill.
2. Becky's class will track hours of sun on the tiered beds for the landscaping. The garden beds will have full sun. Becky will report back on that during our next meeting.
3. Larry has a call into the MU Extension office for submitting soil samples. He will report back on that next time.
4. Patti researched various landscaping options for the tiered beds. We will get a ph reading of the soil to determine which plants will thrive. Ruth offered several suggestions and Kelley and Ron will reach out to Jack Waldbart from Waldbart's Nursery for guidance. Ruth also suggested Thies Farm for a resource.
5. Different material types and costs were discussed for the raised vegetable beds. The group is leaning toward the long-lasting recycled plastic option. Larry will find out if the plastic is recyclable itself for our next meeting. Estimated cost for 2 plastic beds is $500.

Other Items
1. Ron Stedman expressed that he would like to have funding in place by Feb 1, 2012. He mentioned a grant offered from the Green Committee (undetermined amount). Ron has provided Heather with an official letter about Central School Yard to use for other grant applications.
2. The group briefly discussed a "Seeds to Salad Spring Garden". The goal of this would be to produce enough fresh vegetables in 2 plots to provide 14 classrooms with a healthy salad by the end of the school year. Seed starting could be provided by 2nd or 3rd graders.

Next Meeting
January 18, 2012 4:00pm-5:00pm

Initial Central School Yard Committee Meeting

Central School Yard - Landscaping and Community Garden Committee
November 2, 2011 Meeting

 

Attendees: Ron Stedman, Kelley Powers, Jen Bond, Steve Wegert, Jenny Redd, Becky DeMere, Melva Davis, Ruth Brown, Heather Robinett, Larry Robinett, Patti Paton

Organizational Framework
Committee will be co-chaired by Larry and Heather Robinett. Kelley Powers agreed to be the landscaping chairperson. Future meetings will be held the first Wednesday of each month from 4:00-5:00pm in Central's library. The group agreed to communicate via e-mail using the subject line of Central School Yard.

Landscaping
Initial brainstorming session and tour of the tiered areas to be landscaped. Ideas included replanting grass to the sidewalks on the top level, constraints for plants/flowers (no thorns for easier weeding, no fast growth, no large growth to prohibit "hiding", 3-5-7 planting rule for better appearance, and consideration for appearance from multiple angles (the street, the playground, the school, etc.) Kelley will work with Patti for ideas and investigate particular plant/flower ideas for the next meeting. Larry mentioned that Waldbart Nursery was providing 25% off products and 50% off installation through Spring 2012 for Ferguson residents as a result of the tornado damage in the area. He will e-mail Kelley the flyer in the event she wants to talk with them.

Community Garden
The group agreed to start small (2 initial garden beds) in the spring. Heather will investigate best plot sizes for the students to reach all areas as well as best spring vegetable planting options. Multiple teaching opportunities include seed/plant growth, plot measurement and calculations, soil testing and composting instruction among others.

Next Meeting: December 7, 2011 4:00-5:00pm

Action/delivery items for the next meeting:

1)      Measure area along NE corner of school yard for sizing vegetable beds. A crescent layout was agreed upon. – Patti & Larry

2)      Track hours of sun exposure for tiered bed area. – Becky’s class

3)      Collect soil samples and reach out to MU Extension office for testing. – Larry

4)      Research landscaping options in tiered beds. – Kelley & Patti

5)      Different material types and costs for raised beds. – Heather & Larry