Redlands Horticultural and Improvement Society has selected four schools to receive their School Garden Grants. This year, because fewer applicants than usual applied, RHIS was able to award $500.00 to each school and their teacher applicants.
Cope Middle School submitted a list of their needs which included wheel barrows, gloves, safety goggles seeds and seed trays along with garden soil, herbs and vegetables. The nice thing is that as needs arise they will have a nice account to on which they my draw needed funds.
Redlands High School already has a well-established garden area in their Special Education Wing in which they have taught students to maintain their garden and use flowers and herbs for cooking and classroom activities. Working in the garden helps RHS special education students learn how to work together, follow directions, and promotes a great opportunity for student interaction with their general education peers. The RHIS grant provides the funds to buy plants, seeds, soil and mulch along with bedding plants and garden equipment. The additional funds too will provide a nice little account for future needs.
Redlands Christian Academy Middle School is planning to have planter boxes that will hold all types of seeds, small plants, and vegetables that the students can tend and enjoy. They plan to use the money for both the planter boxes, soil, and all of the plants. Their wish listed almost meets the $500 grant and RHIS hopes that it all comes to fruition.
If you have not visited the Lugonia Elementary School garden, it would be worth your while to observe their lovely garden. They have been working on it for several years and it always needs repair or improvement. They have murals, ponds, memory gardens, tribute sites, and even a yellow brick road. This year they need full sized rakes, hedge trimmers, shovels, hoes, a composter bin, fertilizer and even touch up paint for the yellow-brick road. Lugonia School has an active after school garden club.