Vitenparken

• Sun conditions. The more shade, the more limited what you can grow. Good sun conditions must be the highest priority.
• The growing area should not conflict with ball games.
• It is an advantage to have a neighbor's house facing the school garden if you are unfortunate enough to be bothered by vandalism. Vandalism rarely causes significant problems, but if you are unlucky you will eventually gain experience with what works and what doesn't. Most plants are not that interesting to destroy.
• When it comes to watering, it's a good idea to place your growing area somewhere you pass by often. Not out of sight and mind. If you're looking for money, it's a good idea to consider automatic watering.
• Place the growing area somewhere that is not too far from a water outlet unless you have plans and finances to install a new one.
• Large pots will go a long way if you want to have a mini garden. The pots should be at least 10 liters, preferably 20 to avoid having to water constantly. One advantage of pots is that they can be left on summer vacation with someone who waters them. It is also possible to make self-watering pots that have a water reservoir in the bottom.
• Planters provide a little more space than pots. Many people build planters from pallet frames. Like pots, planters also dry out faster than beds in the ground. Planters can also be equipped with a water reservoir that makes watering easier.
• Lawns are potential beds. They can be spaded, which is hard physical work, or you can use the potato planting method, which is a good way to put many students to work at the same time. See link to mini school garden below.
• Fences are often low-traffic areas. If you create beds along a fence, the plants that need it have something to lean on or climb on.
• Raised beds. If the beds have a slight edge, it is easier to see where you can and can't go. The higher the beds, the faster they warm up in the spring. They also dry faster. If the beds have triangles, they are easier to protect against snails.

Nina Berge, a member of the school garden game, has created a great brochure with illustrations showing the potato planting method that turns lawns into beds, how to make planters from pallet frames, and an example of a mini school garden.