Start a Garden
Access resources for starting a garden and developing outdoor classrooms and learning spaces.
Overview
School Gardens in Yellow (COVID-19):
Schools deciding to bring back students on campus is a school-by-school decision. If your school is seeking support with bringing small groups of students safely into the garden, please contact schoolgardens@aps.edu.
Page 95 of the APS Instructional & Operational Re-entry Plan states that volunteers are allowed on campus to support "campus clean up projects conducted when students are not present" including the care of school gardens (maintenance, watering, re-planting).
Non-APS employees wanting to access school gardens as volunteers should request permission from the principal and/or the school's volunteer coordinator.
If you have any further questions or need for support, please reach out to the APS School Garden Specialist by emailing schoolgardens@aps.edu.
COVID Resources for School Gardens:
Guidelines for COVID-Safe Gardening & Outdoor Learning - Instructional Video from Grow the Future International District, Together for Brothers
New Mexico Outdoor Learning Guidance from EENM - NMPED Guidance for 2020-2021 School Re-entry Document
FACTS about outdoor transmission of COVID 19 Nissa Patterson, MPH
COVID-Safe Gardening Guidelines for School & Community Gardens Document
ABQ Schools & Community Gardens Map - Map of other Albuquerque Public School Gardens, Community Gardens and small urban farms Albuquerque area
Monthly APS School Garden Newsletter Archive - Past newsletters including school garden highlights, announcements, & resources
School Garden Resource Binder - Archive of local, national, & international resources:
- Lesson plans, curriculum, and instructional videos
- Gardens by Month - seasonal quick guide
- Where to get materials
- Professional development opportunities
- Places to visit in ABQ & local presenters to invite to your class
- Topics related to gardening, agriculture, STEM, art, & culture
ABQ Gardens by Month - a seasonal, quick guide to planning, planting, maintenance and water for school gardens
Request Help with School Garden or Outdoor Learning Space - Fill out this form to request a site visit with the APS Garden Specialist
APS School Garden Manual (PDF) - Growing the Outdoor Classroom - A Handbook for Gardening in Albuquerque Public Schools
Albuquerque Soil and Mulch Resources and Process for Delivery to APS (Word)
Community Event Planning Guide (PDF)
Seeds:
- Need Seeds? Guide to ordering seeds for APS School Gardens
- Growing Zones and Crop Varieties in NM (PDF)
- Seed Order Form (Word)
- Seed Viability (Word)
- Sources for Free Seeds for NM Schools (Word)