BY JARROD McALEESE
CASEY Grammar has installed a state-of-the-art vertical wicking garden in an Australian first which is expected to produce 350kg of vegetables per annum for the school.
The 38sqm Biofilta vegetable garden is watered by the rainfall from the school’s science building roof, with a consistent water supply, eliminating the prospect of over or under watering.
Biofilta CEO Marc Noyce said the organisation was pleased with Casey Grammar’s implementation of the Foodwall which will provide an abundance of produce as well as enable the school to effectively educate students about the environment.
“We are very excited in having Casey Grammar as the first school in Australia to install the Foodwall, which not only helps produce healthy organic produce, but also teaches students where food comes from and how to live more sustainably.
“Early high school years are critical in changing future attitudes towards the environment and life choices,” Mr Noyce said.
Casey Grammar Primary gardening teacher Mal Dunkley said the new initiative had been a hit with students, teachers and parents and had allowed for greater efficiency.
“Our older style garden took a lot of effort to weed for smaller yield. The new gardens are virtually weed free, so students become ‘smart gardeners’ who grow the maximum produce for minimum water, space and effort.
“Our new veggie garden has been a great success with bumper crops, low maintenance and an overall thoughtful layout the Biofilta garden has allowed our students great learning outcomes to date and going forward,” Mr Dunkley said.
And Dunkley said the school had received numerous offers from parents to get involved with the maintenance of the new garden.
“A number of parents have expressed a desire to volunteer their time to assist in the garden. Hopefully, grandparents and community members will be added to this list. This wider community involvement will give those involved a window into the learning of the students and the students to learn from them,” Mr Dunkley said.
