Margaret River Primary School’s Kitchen Garden will be show-casing the hard work of all its Year Four/Five students with a stall at this year’s Margaret River Agricultural Show on Oct 13 and 14.
Garden Specialist Terri Sharpe said the students had been working extra hard to produce a bumper plant surplus, and would be selling items like potted mint, strawberries, oregano, rosemary, and raspberries.
“Members of the public have the rare opportunity to purchase organic, home grown, potted edibles at super low prices,” Ms Sharpe said.
"With prices starting at just $2, there are some amazing bargains to be had.”
Members of the community are also encouraged to meet and speak to students from the Kitchen Garden Program, who will be manning the stall, along with qualified staff, on show day Saturday.
“This is a great opportunity for students to transfer knowledge and skills learnt in the garden school environment to real life – they’ll be communicating with the public, discussing gardening concepts, handling money and literally putting themselves on show – it should prove to be a memorable experience for them,” Ms Sharpe said.
A special new addition to this year’s array are edible water plants.
As part of the creation of a frog habitat in the garden, students have grown water parsley, chocolate mint, water chestnuts and water cress – all available for sale over the two-day event.
The aquatic edibles were planted into small herb-sized pots donated by the public, and can survive out of water for several hours.
Prices for the edible water plants start at just $5 while water lilies (a great habitat for frogs) start at $10.
Ms Sharpe said gardening equipment will also be available for purchase, including buckets, tools, water savers, and adult and children’s tools.
“And of course the Garden’s now famous worm wee is also for sale – at only $5 for a 3L container,” she said.
Local businesses have donated goods and gift cards, and there will also be a raffle with prizes valued at over $500 for the price of a $2 ticket.
“We have had exceptionally strong business and community support for the Kitchen Garden program this year - the quality of the products donated by these businesses reflects how important they feel this Program is for the MRPS community and especially the students who are involved in the meaningful hands-on learning experiences.”
MRPS Kitchen Garden Programme Coordinator Geoff McLeod said the programme was a success thanks to the input from the school community.
“Our Kitchen Program began in 2009 and is progressing from strength to strength thanks to the excellent planning, passion and expertise from our two specialists, Terri Sharpe and Sarah Goodwin,” he said.
“Our kids enthusiastically contribute to the garden each week and of course have lots of fun too.”
Ms Sharpe said the Agricultural Show stall would be a fantastic chance for locals to learn more about the garden project.
“Visit the stall at the show and talk to those actively involved, grab a bargain and support the program at the same time. You won’t be disappointed!”
