Cedar's Community In Bloom

Did you notice the orchids outside Home Economics kitchens? The Cedar Environment Club has been potting them together with students from 2A and 2M. The orchids were donated by Mandai Orchid Garden as they were moving to a smaller location. Cedar Environment Club is intending to create an orchid garden while the other students will try creating hybrids of the orchids in the future.

5 easy steps to starting a Community in Bloom in School

Step 1. Form a gardening club
a. Gather interested participants among the teachers and students to form a gardening group.
b. Appoint a leader for your gardening group.
c. Get a support from your school principal for your community gardening project.

Step 2. Identify a suitable site for the garden
Contact NParks to help you select a suitable location for the proposed community garden. The following points should be considered when selecting a gardening site:
a. Obstruction to other common amenities
b.Ready water source
c. Amount of sunlight that the site gets
d. Level or sloping ground
e. Inherent ground condition eg: water-logging
f. Other safety considerations

Step 3. Organise a talk/workshop for teachers and/or students involved
a. Organise a talk/workshop for the participants where NParks can share tips on good gardening practices and ideas on setting up their garden plots.
b. Visit an established community garden in other schools to learn and exchange tips.

Step 4. Plan your garden
With guidance  from NParks, determine the following details:
a. Garden theme - eg: Fruit garden, Kitchen garden, Edible Garden, Ornamental Garden, etc.
b. Plant selection - eg: Fruit trees, Vegetables, Herbs, Spices, Flowers, etc.
c. Garden scale - Number of participants that determines the size of the garden.
d. Garden design - Schematic layout of the gardening beds according to the garden theme and the location of the different types of plants.

Step 5. Plant your garden
Once the garden plan is approved by your principal, prepare the groundwork through DIY or by engaging a suitable contractor.
a. Purchase plants, gardening materials and tools.
b. Start gardening immediately, to avoid hardening or erosion of soil.

- Blog Admin