Our school community is excited to officially begin a new chapter with the creation of our Community Garden — a space designed to grow food, foster learning, and bless others. Thanks to the incredible generosity of Manor Landscaping, six beautifully constructed planting beds now sit at the heart of our school grounds, ready to flourish in the months ahead.
Yesterday, our entire school spent the day planting alongside a wonderful team from Rooted Centre, a Guelph-based organization connected with Kortright Presbyterian Church that encourages care for God’s creation through gardening, environmental education, and faith-based stewardship. Each class had the opportunity to help plant a specific themed garden bed while learning practical skills about nurturing plants, companion planting, and sustainable growing practices.
The six garden beds each have their own unique theme and purpose. Students helped plant a pear guild featuring a pear tree with companion plants like lavender, chives, oregano, raspberries, and pollinator flowers; a “spaghetti garden” filled with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and herbs; a pie plot with strawberries and rhubarb; and a Peter Rabbit bed overflowing with leafy greens and vegetables. Other spaces included a “2 Sisters” garden with beans and squash growing together, a mini food forest with fruit trees, grapes, and berries layered to mimic a natural ecosystem, and pickle pots growing cucumbers, spinach, and beets. Throughout the day, students also learned about concepts such as heirloom versus hybrid plants, companion planting, pollination, and how gardens can provide nourishment for both people and communities.
At the heart of our Community Garden is a simple but meaningful vision: anyone can take what they need, whenever they need it, for whatever reason. We hope this space becomes a place of generosity, connection, learning, and care within our wider community.
As we head into the summer months, we are excited to watch these gardens grow and would love for our school community to join us in helping care for and nurture this special space together.
