Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, Courtenay Elementary’s school garden was left unattended for a year. However, the CECSS brought together the school and other stakeholders to revive it. This is a work in progress between CECSS, Courtenay Elementary, the Lake Trail Community Education Society, and the Comox Valley Family Services Association.
We were busy over spring break. Under the guidance of Elaine Codling, on loan from Lake Trail Community Education Society, we did some weeding and added fresh soil to the garden boxes.
Next, we needed more soil, so we involved families and put out a call for a small work party. This time, we added garden boxes and soil to an area adjacent the visitor parking lot that will be turned into a garden/outdoor learning area.
Our next mission was to tackle the school’s compost bins. As far an anyone knew, the bins were never looked after, and we all wondered what we would find inside. We did find rats, but the compost was in pretty good condition! We had Joyce Joyce McMenamon from Fresh Earth Products bring in some new Speedibins and repair the old ones!
As soon as it warms up some more, the school and other partners will be ready to start planting!