Mattey's Garden

Mattey's Garden turns 25 years old!

Mattey’s Garden, Matthew Whaley Elementary School’s outdoor classroom, turned 25 years old earlier this year. The garden, named after Matthew Whaley (1696-1705), the son of a local educator (Mary Whaley), offers students experiential learning opportunities around science, agriculture, life cycles, and more. The program pairs local Master Gardener mentors with students to collaborate on gardening projects from sowing to harvest. Periodically, students enjoy the fruits of their labor when produce from Mattey’s Garden is used in special dishes prepared in the school cafeteria.

Please come and explore the garden after school or on the weekends and have your student show you around. See if you can find a weathervane, a sundial, fish, plants starting with each letter of the alphabet, and even little Mattey enjoying the garden.

Patriots get involved in Mattey's Garden

Kindergarten classes visit the garden monthly to study herbs including Fennell, Dill, Garlic, Sage, Ginger, Bay, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Chives, Lambs’ Ears, Parsley, Lavender, Basil, and Mint. They help to plant them, learn about them, cultivate them, and use their senses to experience them. 

First Graders visit the garden monthly as well, and their lessons are linked to their Language Arts literature. For instance, in September the classes read The Great Big Enormous Turnip, and afterward they plant turnips in the garden.

The older grades use the garden as needed to reinforce science and math concepts as well as to serve as an inspirational place to write.