LomaGarden Curriculum & Volunteer Guide
Lesson plans, volunteer protocols, and class leadership assignments for the Loma Prieta School Garden.
2nd Grade Fall Garden Curriculum
Structured, hands-on lesson plans designed for class volunteers and students. Select a unit below to explore what to bring, why it matters, and step-by-step instructions.
September • Class 1
Soil ScienceBed Preparation & Soil Health
📦 What You Need (Tools & Materials)
- Compost: Outside the garden gate in the organic compost pile
- Hand-rakes & Trowels: Located in the Garden Shed
- Wheelbarrows: Stored against the side of the Garden Shed
- Watering Cans: Staged along the fence line
- Hands & Gloves: Ready to work!
💡 Why We Do It (The Science & Education)
Before planting, it is essential to prepare the garden bed—just like "making the bed" for our baby plants! Mixing rich compost into the dirt improves soil structure, creates a loose and crumbly texture for tender roots, and replenishes vital nutrients consumed by summer crops. The compost layer also acts as an insulating blanket, protecting soil microbiology, buffering rain impact, and locking in moisture.
🛠️ How To Lead The Session (Step-by-Step)
- Before Class: Delineate equal sections of the garden box so every student group has an assigned area; collect necessary trowels and rakes.
- Weeding & Rock Clearing: Guide students to use their hands to pull weeds and remove large rocks; deposit debris into the designated garden pile.
- Compost Hauling: Support kids in filling wheelbarrows with organic compost and rolling them safely to their bed.
- Layering: Help students shovel compost across the bed to create a uniform layer 3"-4" thick.
- Mixing: With trowels and hands, gently turn and blend the compost into the top 8" of native soil.
- Raking: Use hand-rakes to smooth the soil surface evenly.
- Deep Watering: Fill watering cans and water the freshly amended soil deeply to settle the bed.
- Cleanup: Wash hands at the hose station and return tools to the staging area.