Oilfields Garden
The start to a better, more sustainable school for the future...
What is the Oilfields High school Garden?
The OHS School Garden project is based upon the principles of No Dig Agriculture, Companion Planting, Integrated Pest Management and the role of Fungi in creating a fertile garden environment. Our garden consists of 23 garden beds for vegetables and pollinator gardens, a sage garden, a composting area and a rainwater collection tote which collects water from the roof of the shed and a food forest consisting of fruit bearing trees and shrubs.
The students in the Agriculture, Outdoor Education and Food Studies programs at Oilfields High School have been involved in the construction of the garden beds and pathways. The Agriculture students are also involved in the garden design both from a structural and companion planting perspective. Garden beds are planned according to plants that are mutually beneficial with each other and provide a habitat with natural checks and balances to keep pests at manageable levels. For example, the legumes edible fungi that we plant will increase available nitrogen and provide symbiotic relationships with several plants to increase their ability to obtain nutrients from the soil.
Compost And Soil
The majority of the compost has been donated by Middleton and Smith families who are involved in the agricultural industry and the aspen mulch pathways have been donated by the MD of Foothills from brush clearing activities. Rona and the town of Black Diamond have also donated a significant amount of soil. We have chosen to use the aspen mulch pathways as a gardening space too but for two species of edible mushrooms, Shaggy Mane and Wine Cap. A local mushroom producer, Fungi Akuafo, has been a great help in helping our class understand the details behind this unique form of agriculture.
Where it Starts
The beginning of the growth for most of the vegetation that is produced in the garden starts in the school at our grow lights. The students in agriculture and outdoor education classes help to plant seedling to help get them started to then be transported to the outdoor garden located in the school yard. Some Vegetation and herbs that are started here are, tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, dill, zucchini, peppers and many more.
How its being used
Throughout the spring and the fall of the school year the students from the foods and textiles programs will use the resources that are produced from the garden to use in there meals. This is creating a more sustainable school due to the reason we do not need to buy as many groceries to bring to the foods program for there learning.
