Gravel 101: A New Kind of School Garden

WASHINGTON, June 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A local school's gravel garden teaches children about the science of growing food without soil or fertilizer while inspiring lessons about nutrition and sustainability.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120620/PH27666-a )
(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120620/PH27666-b )
(Logo:   http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120307/MM65492LOGO-a )

In just four short months, pre-primary students at Lowell School in Washington, DC harvested lettuce five times from the School's gravel garden, which was planted mid-March. The garden, strategically located adjacent to the playground, creates opportunities for children to draw connections between gardening and healthy living. "Our gravel garden makes learning about nutrition an interactive experience. The children play then hang out watching marigolds, corn, cucumbers and lettuce grow, learning about gardening and nutrition while exercising and having fun," cites Head of School Debbie Gibbs .

Gravel also found its way into Lowell's science classroom, where teachers have turned gravel gardening into gravel science. Students were surprised to learn that plants don't necessarily need to have soil to grow. Director of Pre-Primary School, Stefania Rubino , comments, "We are excited to be among the first schools to bring the science of gravel gardening into the classroom. The children measured growth and made observations and predictions. They cared for the garden and drew pictures of it; they harvested the lettuce and even ate the lettuce for snacks." See photos of the Lowell School grave garden, the lettuce and the corn tassels.

To Soil Less donated the gravel garden to Lowell School as part of the To Soil Less Gravel School program. Gravel School brings gravel gardening into educational settings to help address issues related to K-12 nutrition and obesity while presenting opportunities for academic study and scientific experimentation. Email gravelschool@tosoilless.com to bring the science of gravel gardening to your school.

About To Soil Less™ - A Washington, DC family owned business created in 2011 for the purpose of sharing the gravel gardening methods with communities interested in sustainable gardening. Having served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali, founder Richard Campbell recognized that gravel can reduce the cost of gardening and aid in countries that lack quality soil.   At www.tosoilless.com, gardeners can learn how to adapt gravel gardening methods in their homes and community gardens.  View a variety of crops growing in gravel on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tosoilless. You will see cucumbers, lettuce, corn, onions, spinach, marigolds, and more.

Jessica M Penzari | WANDERLUST PR
571.244.6764
Jessica@WanderlustPR.com 

SOURCE To Soil Less

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