You've heard it before, but it's definitely true in this case: it pays off to do your homework!

HOMEWORK ITEMS:

• Depending on the environment you're using for the garden, you will have opportunities (and limitations) on what you can grow. Classroom size, age of students, climate, sunlight, available time that can be devoted to a garden, these and other factors will all have an impact on what type of garden you decide to plant. Taking into consideration all other factors, consider what's feasible as potential plants for your garden. Give students options and allow them to choose what they want to grow. Allowing students to have direct input into what they grow will help to achieve higher levels of commitment and engagement in the garden.

• If you're growing directly in soil, research the piece of land that you're growing on. What was in this space before you started building your garden. Use the soil test phase as a perfect excuse to discuss the ph scale with students, or research the history of the soil and tie it into a history lesson that focuses on your community/neighbourhood. Get creative with your lessons plans and supplement them with garden lessons.

• If you have a budget for this program, you're ahead of the game. If not, which is likely, start to spread the word with colleagues, friends, family, about your intentions to create a garden and start collecting donations. Donations do not have to be in the form of monetary investment. Create a "wishlist" with all the tools and supplies you'll need for the garden and pin it up in the staff room, library, community centre, gym etc. Be open to using recycled containers, tools and supplies for this project. If you can get creative, you'll be able to pull this together on a shoestring budget. The reality is, 99% of the prep work will fall on your shoulders so take time over the summer months to put everything in place before the school year begins and you'll be ahead of the game