Before you start, you need to be sure that you have everything,
and everyone, all ready to go. But don’t worry – help is at hand.
We’ve got the tips and resources you need to get your Edible Playground started – and to keep it going!

Sign up for our Edible Playground newsletter to keep topped up with tips and to help you plan your planting, harvesting, and teaching activities... also take a look at our blog to see how the original Edible Playgrounds are getting along.

Where to grow?
Firstly, decide on where you’re going to site your Edible Playground.
If you have plenty of space and good access, raised beds of 1m x 2m
work well. Or, if you only have a little sunny corner, then containers are the way to go.

What to grow?
When it comes to deciding what to grow, you’re really only limited by the space available – and your imagination.

Here’s the lowdown on some plants you might want to grow which you can
download here >

What kit will you need?
A good garden needs proper equipment. Take a look at what we think you’ll need
download our kit guide here >

You can also get a 10% discount from Crocus and can order online boxes of ‘ready to plant’ plug plants for your Edible Playground
from Rocket Gardens

www.rocketgardens.co.uk
www.crocus.co.uk

Rally the troops
You need four things to make your Edible Garden a success:

1. Motivation – get the whole school behind it, proud of it and pleased to part of it

2. Education – use it as a learning experience and a learning tool

3. Sustainability – plan ahead, start small, know what it’s going to cost

4. Support - cultivating people is as important as cultivating plants, and what you can achieve will depend on the level of support you get for the Edible Playground. So it may be worth asking an experienced gardener with tips to share and time to spare for a bit of help
(Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks will need to be carried out before they can start)).

Download an explanation of the scheme
to give to your local garden centre here >

Adapted from: Setting up and Running a School Garden,
by Agriculture and Consumer Protection

Ask yourself a question
There’s a lot to think about and get sorted before you start –
have you got everything you need? Have you assembled a "green team" or rota to manage the garden? Who will look after the plants in the summer holidays?

Decisions, decisions. Luckily, the RHS has an audit hecklist to
help you. Download it here >

Fancy some further reading? Check out the RHS School Gardening website also Playground Potting Sheds by Dominic Murphy.