As stewards of schoolyards across our city, we’re always looking for sustainable solutions that are local, accessible, and impactful. That’s why we’re thrilled to spotlight the NYC Department of Sanitation’s generous program offering free high-quality compost and mulch to residents, nonprofits, and schools, perfect for greening projects, planting beds, playgrounds, and more. What’s Available? How…
Category: School Garden
Summer Watering
Last Spring posed an extra challenge for our gardens and trees, a record breaking drought. As this summer approaches, we encourage you to use our annual mini-grant to make a summer plan. This can include a shared google doc, an old fashioned clip board for stewards to sign up to water, a chat with your…
Spring Deliveries & Planting
We’ve been busy hauling plants around to give the raised beds in our schoolyards a little boost for Spring! It’s a great way to check in, connect kids to their green spaces, and start the season off right. I loved seeing these middle school students from MS 354 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn work together with…
Lenapehoking Climate Curriculum
We are excited to share thirteen new lessons and activities meant to be taught in your schoolyard. These lessons are focused on uplifting Indigenous wisdom to help kids gain meaningful connection to the big climate topics of our time. They’re hands-on, each lesson pairing with a stewardship activity focused on giving back to your garden,…
How to Plant Seeds
There’s a bit of magical faith in planting a seed. It’s a simple and fairly reliable way to grow a plant, but every time a little stem and those first cotyledons or “seed leaves” push through the soil, I think “Wow! I can’t believe that worked!” If you requested seeds through our Annual Garden Survey,…
School Garden – Planning the Nitty Gritty
So much about properly caring for a new school garden concerns the nitty, gritty nuts and bolts of who’s doing what and when and where are all the things kept?! Here are some questions and logistics to consider when you’re coordinating use of your school’s new garden. You might keep this info on a worksheet in…
Tree Care Basics
Water Weekly For the first few years, watering is the most important thing you can do for your trees. Water 15-20 gallons a week May-Oct. Fill the tree-gator bag, pour three or four large buckets or let the hose flow for 15 minutes. Water 2X a week in July and August. Cultivate and Fertilize…
Getting your Playground Committee Started
Who should be a part of your playground committee? Having a diverse set of networks and skill sets on your committee will set up your playground for success. A few of the skills you may want to consider are fundraising, event planning, gardening and maintenance, and scheduling. A Guide to Getting Your Playground Committee Started: …