As the Nurture youth approach their half-way mark in the gardens, we reflect on how far we’ve come and progressed in such a short period of time. This progress is marked by inspiring teamwork, amazing leadership and many garden improvements are underway!

Gardens Nurture gardeners  have now gotten much more familiar, and empowered in their spaces. Garden leaders have really settled into their role and have showcased amazing skills. Gardens harvests have been nothing short of successful, the gardens combined have harvested over 154 kg of produce so far, with all of this going back into the community. 

Garden Leaders reflect on their experiences so far

This year each garden has a youth Garden Leader. Within this role youth are there to support their team, cultivate a good dynamic, inspire them and organize the team. We have definitely seen amazing youth leadership within this role.The following quotes highlight how the youth have problem solved and cultivated support within their own spaces.

Dalia, the Franklin Public school garden leader reflects on the past week and highlights how much support has been cultivated within her team. “Last week was an amazing experience by harvesting the plants doing some activities and we have seen the results of the plants that we have been taking care of. I am so proud of my team because they do depend on themselves while I am not around. As well, they show kindness to each other and also they cover my hours when I wasn't able to make it on time. I really appreciate how my team works hard for themselves and each other.”

Meron, the Rockway Public school leader, reflects on how her and the team overcame an obstacle in the garden so far, the team was struggling to unlock the garden shed where the tools are kept. “At first we felt frustrated that we couldn’t unlock the combination lock. To solve this, we practiced and asked for help, at the end we felt relieved and happy about unlocking it.”

Garden improvements

Each garden has now received $100, that is theirs to spend on garden improvements. Each team gets to make their own decision as to what they feel the garden needs and to improve the garden, not only for the summer, but for the school as well. 

One garden improvement project that has already begun to take shape is the Prueter teams has installed in ground vermicomposters. The team fed the garden with fish emulsion and kelp.

The fish emulsion is good for leafy growth and the kelp for flowers and fruit and plant health. The following week the team added redwiggler worms, banana peels, coffee grounds and healthy plant material to help with the soil health of this garden. 

As we work to support  the youth in the gardens, everything we do is to empower them and to give them the power over their own spaces. The Ladder of Participation by Roger Hart guides us on how to ensure these spaces are truly youth-led, and not just labeled that. At the top half of the ladder, we have the degrees of participation. Within the gardens and within the garden-improvement funds, these are decisions at the very top of the ladder. Which is labeled by child-initiated, with shared decisions with adults. With the garden improvement funds the teams get to choose for themselves what they want to spend the money on, and we are there to support them with their decisions when needed. 

Learn more at swril.ca/nurture.

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