James City County/Williamsburg
Master Gardeners

Mattey's Garden

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The Mattey Garden at Matthew Whaley Elementary School began in the fall of 1997 through the special help and contributions from JCC/W Master Gardeners, the Williamsburg Garden Club, the Williamsburg Tercentenary Commission, the Williamsburg Kiwanis Club as well as the Matthew Whaley P.T.A., the Clark Foundation, the Christopher Wren Association, Boy Scout troop 1043, the Peninsula Home Builders Association, and individuals in the community. The garden, designed by landscape designer Gale Roberts, has a specific area of the garden for each grade level's responsibility. Since its beginning the garden has served as a hands-on outdoor classroom for the school. Each grade level is responsible for certain areas of the garden. We have worked hard to align our science curriculum and SOLs with activities in the garden.

Kindergartners learn about seeds by growing salad vegetables in their special plot. This year we are adding an Herb of the Month where certain herbs will be highlighted. The students will learn about the herbs from volunteers from the Colonial triangle Chapter of the American Herb Society. They will then taste, touch, smell, and see the herbs. This follows along with their study of the senses. Finally they will sample the herbs in a special snack prepared by Mrs. Brown in our cafeteria or by parent helpers. The Kindergarteners will also work on the butterfly garden.

First graders are involved in the Master Gardener program Seeds of Learning. They ill raise their own plants to put in their special sundial area of the garden. They will also direct sow sweet peas in that area.

Second grade has perhaps the most extensive study in the garden with the Roots and Shoots program.

Third graders have already performed a soil testing the garden to determine the nutrients needed to provide maximum grown. We will also do a test garden with the three types of soil: loam, clay and sand. We will be growing Sugar Snap peas and decorative gourds in that area.

Fourth grade begins a new 4-H unit growing plants grown in Colonial Virginia: sweet potatoes and peanuts.

Fifth graders will be researching annuals on the Internet and will then plant them in the Alphabet Garden.

All students help by weeding and watering in their particular areas. Parents and community volunteers, especially the James City County-Williamsburg Master Gardeners, assist in all phases of the garden.

The garden is a special place. It is a way to teach children and parents about the joys of gardening. It can bring together so many segments of the community. It develops solid friendships that develop between children and community volunteers working as "garden friends."

The garden opens up to us the miracle and beauty of nature to all. The Mattey Garden was built by community members for community children to learn, enjoy, and to pass on the tradition to others.