Chapter 1: School Kitchen Garden
6th StandardVocational Education
Chapter Summary
School Kitchen Garden - Chapter Summary
# School Kitchen Garden
## Overview
In this chapter, students learn how to plan, create, and manage a kitchen garden on the school campus. Through hands-on activities, they explore tools, materials, soil preparation, planting methods, vermicomposting, pest control, and harvesting. Students also learn how to apply safety, decoration, and smart gardening techniques using AI.
## Key Topics Covered
### 1. Introduction to Life Forms and Project-Based Learning
- Life forms include humans, animals, plants, insects, bacteria, and viruses.
- Projects involve growing plants, observing biodiversity, caring for animals, and maintaining a nature journal.
- Students can choose from the given projects or design one with teacher guidance.
### 2. What is a School Kitchen Garden?
- A kitchen garden is a space where vegetables, fruits, and herbs are grown.
- It promotes healthy eating and self-sufficiency.
- Students create gardens in beds or pots to grow plants like brinjal, chilli, coriander, and mint.
### 3. Objectives of the Project
By the end of the project, students will be able to:
- Identify and use gardening tools.
- Prepare soil and plant seeds/seedlings.
- Use manure and protect plants using fences and organic pesticides.
- Harvest and manage the produce.
### 4. Tools and Materials
Some important tools and their uses include:
| Tool/Material | Use |
|---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| Garden trowel | Digging soil, planting |
| Hand cultivator | Loosening soil, removing weeds |
| Watering can or hose | Watering plants |
| Gardening gloves | Hand protection |
| Gardening shears | Cutting branches and stems |
| Potting mix | Filling pots |
| Plant labels | Identifying plants |
| Neem leaves, manure | Making organic pesticide and natural fertiliser |
### 5. Safety Measures
- Lift pots with assistance if heavy.
- Wear gloves and use tools with proper instructions.
- Keep tools clean and stored properly.
- Be safe online when researching gardening info.
### 6. Field Visit and Observation
Students are encouraged to visit:
- Farms, nurseries, or gardens.
- Ask questions about plant types, soil preparation, protection from pests, and plant nutrition.
### 7. Planning the Garden
- Measure the garden area.
- Choose location based on sunlight, drainage, and reachability.
- Select fast-growing plants like coriander, spinach, mint.
### 8. Making Vermicompost
Steps to make vermicompost:
1. Use a bin with drainage holes.
2. Add organic waste like vegetable peels and leaves.
3. Introduce red worms.
4. Feed with kitchen scraps (no meat, dairy, citrus).
5. Keep bedding moist, cover to retain moisture.
6. Compost is ready in a few months.
### 9. Preparing the Garden for Planting
- Clear debris and rocks.
- Mix organic manure into the soil.
- Ensure pots or plant beds are properly set for sowing seeds or planting seedlings.
### 10. Sowing Seeds and Planting Seedlings
#### Sowing Seeds:
- Make furrows or holes based on seed type.
- Place seeds, cover with soil, and pat lightly.
#### Planting Seedlings:
- Dig suitable holes.
- Place seedlings carefully, cover and press soil lightly.
- Use plant labels to track planting date and plant type.
### 11. Plant Care and Maintenance
#### (a) Fencing:
- Build fences with bamboo, PVC, or sticks to protect plants.
#### (b) Staking:
- Provide support to weak-stemmed plants using stakes.
#### (c) Watering:
- Water regularly, especially early morning or late afternoon.
- Avoid overwatering.
#### (d) Mulching:
- Use straw or leaves to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
#### (e) Pest Control:
- Prepare neem-based organic pesticide (neem + water + fermentation).
- Use spray bottles to apply.
#### (f) Weeding:
- Use hand or cultivator to remove weeds regularly.
### 12. Garden Decoration
Ideas to decorate the garden:
- Paint stones and flower pots.
- Create sculptures from waste.
- Make a scarecrow to protect from birds.
### 13. Observation and Recording
- Maintain a diary with weekly observations: seedling emergence, leaf color, height, flowering.
- Use sketches or photos to document plant growth.
### 14. Harvesting
- Identify readiness based on leaf maturity, fruit size, or flower growth.
- Use correct tools like garden shears or trowels.
- Handle produce gently to avoid damage.
- Sort and clean the harvest for use.
### 15. Market Visit and Pricing
- Visit local market, note vegetable prices.
- Estimate pricing of school-grown produce based on cost of seeds, inputs, market rates.
- Discuss with peers and teacher how to price harvested items.
### 16. Smart Kitchen Garden using AI
- Use AI apps to:
- Identify plants and pests.
- Schedule watering and fertilisation.
- Record plant growth.
- Geotag the garden using mobile apps to log location-based data.
## What Did I Learn?
Students reflect on:
- Key learnings from peers.
- Time taken for each activity.
- What could be done better next time.
- Jobs related to gardening like farmer, gardener, agricultural scientist.
---
## New Terms
| Term | Simple Definition |
|------------------|------------------|
| Vermicompost | Fertiliser made using worms and organic waste |
| Mulching | Covering soil with dry leaves or straw to retain water |
| Stake | Support stick for plants to help them grow upright |
| Manure | Natural fertiliser from animal dung |
| Compost | Organic matter decomposed into fertiliser |
| Seedling | Young plant grown from a seed |
| Transplanting | Moving seedlings to a garden for further growth |
| Organic pesticide| Natural insect repellent made from neem and other herbs |
| Layout | Planned arrangement of garden beds or pots |
| Geotagging | Adding location information to photos or posts |
---
## Practice Questions
### Easy (3)
1. **What is a kitchen garden?**
*A garden where vegetables and herbs are grown.*
2. **Name two tools used in gardening.**
*Garden trowel, watering can.*
3. **Why is manure important for plants?**
*It provides nutrients that help plants grow.*
### Medium (2)
4. **How do you prepare vermicompost?**
*By using organic waste and red worms in a moist bin with drainage.*
5. **What are two safety measures while gardening?**
*Wear gloves and lift heavy pots with help.*
### Difficult (3)
6. **Explain how to transplant seedlings.**
*Dig a hole, place seedling carefully, match soil level, and press soil gently.*
7. **Why is spacing between plants important?**
*To ensure proper growth, light, and access to water for each plant.*
8. **How does mulching help in gardening?**
*It keeps soil moist, prevents weed growth, and maintains temperature.*
### Very Difficult (2)
9. **Describe the use of AI in kitchen gardening.**
*AI can suggest plants, track growth, detect pests, and help with care schedules.*
10. **What are the steps to make a neem-based pesticide?**
*Chop neem leaves, soak in water for 14 days, strain, and spray on plants.*
---
## Overview
In this chapter, students learn how to plan, create, and manage a kitchen garden on the school campus. Through hands-on activities, they explore tools, materials, soil preparation, planting methods, vermicomposting, pest control, and harvesting. Students also learn how to apply safety, decoration, and smart gardening techniques using AI.
## Key Topics Covered
### 1. Introduction to Life Forms and Project-Based Learning
- Life forms include humans, animals, plants, insects, bacteria, and viruses.
- Projects involve growing plants, observing biodiversity, caring for animals, and maintaining a nature journal.
- Students can choose from the given projects or design one with teacher guidance.
### 2. What is a School Kitchen Garden?
- A kitchen garden is a space where vegetables, fruits, and herbs are grown.
- It promotes healthy eating and self-sufficiency.
- Students create gardens in beds or pots to grow plants like brinjal, chilli, coriander, and mint.
### 3. Objectives of the Project
By the end of the project, students will be able to:
- Identify and use gardening tools.
- Prepare soil and plant seeds/seedlings.
- Use manure and protect plants using fences and organic pesticides.
- Harvest and manage the produce.
### 4. Tools and Materials
Some important tools and their uses include:
| Tool/Material | Use |
|---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| Garden trowel | Digging soil, planting |
| Hand cultivator | Loosening soil, removing weeds |
| Watering can or hose | Watering plants |
| Gardening gloves | Hand protection |
| Gardening shears | Cutting branches and stems |
| Potting mix | Filling pots |
| Plant labels | Identifying plants |
| Neem leaves, manure | Making organic pesticide and natural fertiliser |
### 5. Safety Measures
- Lift pots with assistance if heavy.
- Wear gloves and use tools with proper instructions.
- Keep tools clean and stored properly.
- Be safe online when researching gardening info.
### 6. Field Visit and Observation
Students are encouraged to visit:
- Farms, nurseries, or gardens.
- Ask questions about plant types, soil preparation, protection from pests, and plant nutrition.
### 7. Planning the Garden
- Measure the garden area.
- Choose location based on sunlight, drainage, and reachability.
- Select fast-growing plants like coriander, spinach, mint.
### 8. Making Vermicompost
Steps to make vermicompost:
1. Use a bin with drainage holes.
2. Add organic waste like vegetable peels and leaves.
3. Introduce red worms.
4. Feed with kitchen scraps (no meat, dairy, citrus).
5. Keep bedding moist, cover to retain moisture.
6. Compost is ready in a few months.
### 9. Preparing the Garden for Planting
- Clear debris and rocks.
- Mix organic manure into the soil.
- Ensure pots or plant beds are properly set for sowing seeds or planting seedlings.
### 10. Sowing Seeds and Planting Seedlings
#### Sowing Seeds:
- Make furrows or holes based on seed type.
- Place seeds, cover with soil, and pat lightly.
#### Planting Seedlings:
- Dig suitable holes.
- Place seedlings carefully, cover and press soil lightly.
- Use plant labels to track planting date and plant type.
### 11. Plant Care and Maintenance
#### (a) Fencing:
- Build fences with bamboo, PVC, or sticks to protect plants.
#### (b) Staking:
- Provide support to weak-stemmed plants using stakes.
#### (c) Watering:
- Water regularly, especially early morning or late afternoon.
- Avoid overwatering.
#### (d) Mulching:
- Use straw or leaves to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
#### (e) Pest Control:
- Prepare neem-based organic pesticide (neem + water + fermentation).
- Use spray bottles to apply.
#### (f) Weeding:
- Use hand or cultivator to remove weeds regularly.
### 12. Garden Decoration
Ideas to decorate the garden:
- Paint stones and flower pots.
- Create sculptures from waste.
- Make a scarecrow to protect from birds.
### 13. Observation and Recording
- Maintain a diary with weekly observations: seedling emergence, leaf color, height, flowering.
- Use sketches or photos to document plant growth.
### 14. Harvesting
- Identify readiness based on leaf maturity, fruit size, or flower growth.
- Use correct tools like garden shears or trowels.
- Handle produce gently to avoid damage.
- Sort and clean the harvest for use.
### 15. Market Visit and Pricing
- Visit local market, note vegetable prices.
- Estimate pricing of school-grown produce based on cost of seeds, inputs, market rates.
- Discuss with peers and teacher how to price harvested items.
### 16. Smart Kitchen Garden using AI
- Use AI apps to:
- Identify plants and pests.
- Schedule watering and fertilisation.
- Record plant growth.
- Geotag the garden using mobile apps to log location-based data.
## What Did I Learn?
Students reflect on:
- Key learnings from peers.
- Time taken for each activity.
- What could be done better next time.
- Jobs related to gardening like farmer, gardener, agricultural scientist.
---
## New Terms
| Term | Simple Definition |
|------------------|------------------|
| Vermicompost | Fertiliser made using worms and organic waste |
| Mulching | Covering soil with dry leaves or straw to retain water |
| Stake | Support stick for plants to help them grow upright |
| Manure | Natural fertiliser from animal dung |
| Compost | Organic matter decomposed into fertiliser |
| Seedling | Young plant grown from a seed |
| Transplanting | Moving seedlings to a garden for further growth |
| Organic pesticide| Natural insect repellent made from neem and other herbs |
| Layout | Planned arrangement of garden beds or pots |
| Geotagging | Adding location information to photos or posts |
---
## Practice Questions
### Easy (3)
1. **What is a kitchen garden?**
*A garden where vegetables and herbs are grown.*
2. **Name two tools used in gardening.**
*Garden trowel, watering can.*
3. **Why is manure important for plants?**
*It provides nutrients that help plants grow.*
### Medium (2)
4. **How do you prepare vermicompost?**
*By using organic waste and red worms in a moist bin with drainage.*
5. **What are two safety measures while gardening?**
*Wear gloves and lift heavy pots with help.*
### Difficult (3)
6. **Explain how to transplant seedlings.**
*Dig a hole, place seedling carefully, match soil level, and press soil gently.*
7. **Why is spacing between plants important?**
*To ensure proper growth, light, and access to water for each plant.*
8. **How does mulching help in gardening?**
*It keeps soil moist, prevents weed growth, and maintains temperature.*
### Very Difficult (2)
9. **Describe the use of AI in kitchen gardening.**
*AI can suggest plants, track growth, detect pests, and help with care schedules.*
10. **What are the steps to make a neem-based pesticide?**
*Chop neem leaves, soak in water for 14 days, strain, and spray on plants.*
---
School Kitchen Garden
Overview
In this chapter, students learn how to plan, create, and manage a kitchen garden on the school campus. Through hands-on activities, they explore tools, materials, soil preparation, planting methods, vermicomposting, pest control, and harvesting. Students also learn how to apply safety, decoration, and smart gardening techniques using AI.
Key Topics Covered
1. Introduction to Life Forms and Project-Based Learning
- Life forms include humans, animals, plants, insects, bacteria, and viruses.
- Projects involve growing plants, observing biodiversity, caring for animals, and maintaining a nature journal.
- Students can choose from the given projects or design one with teacher guidance.
2. What is a School Kitchen Garden?
- A kitchen garden is a space where vegetables, fruits, and herbs are grown.
- It promotes healthy eating and self-sufficiency.
- Students create gardens in beds or pots to grow plants like brinjal, chilli, coriander, and mint.
3. Objectives of the Project
By the end of the project, students will be able to:
- Identify and use gardening tools.
- Prepare soil and plant seeds/seedlings.
- Use manure and protect plants using fences and organic pesticides.
- Harvest and manage the produce.
4. Tools and Materials
Some important tools and their uses include:
| Tool/Material | Use |
|---|---|
| Garden trowel | Digging soil, planting |
| Hand cultivator | Loosening soil, removing weeds |
| Watering can or hose | Watering plants |
| Gardening gloves | Hand protection |
| Gardening shears | Cutting branches and stems |
| Potting mix | Filling pots |
| Plant labels | Identifying plants |
| Neem leaves, manure | Making organic pesticide and natural fertiliser |
5. Safety Measures
- Lift pots with assistance if heavy.
- Wear gloves and use tools with proper instructions.
- Keep tools clean and stored properly.
- Be safe online when researching gardening info.
6. Field Visit and Observation
Students are encouraged to visit:
- Farms, nurseries, or gardens.
- Ask questions about plant types, soil preparation, protection from pests, and plant nutrition.
7. Planning the Garden
- Measure the garden area.
- Choose location based on sunlight, drainage, and reachability.
- Select fast-growing plants like coriander, spinach, mint.
8. Making Vermicompost
Steps to make vermicompost:
- Use a bin with drainage holes.
- Add organic waste like vegetable peels and leaves.
- Introduce red worms.
- Feed with kitchen scraps (no meat, dairy, citrus).
- Keep bedding moist, cover to retain moisture.
- Compost is ready in a few months.
9. Preparing the Garden for Planting
- Clear debris and rocks.
- Mix organic manure into the soil.
- Ensure pots or plant beds are properly set for sowing seeds or planting seedlings.
10. Sowing Seeds and Planting Seedlings
Sowing Seeds:
- Make furrows or holes based on seed type.
- Place seeds, cover with soil, and pat lightly.
Planting Seedlings:
- Dig suitable holes.
- Place seedlings carefully, cover and press soil lightly.
- Use plant labels to track planting date and plant type.
11. Plant Care and Maintenance
(a) Fencing:
- Build fences with bamboo, PVC, or sticks to protect plants.
(b) Staking:
- Provide support to weak-stemmed plants using stakes.
(c) Watering:
- Water regularly, especially early morning or late afternoon.
- Avoid overwatering.
(d) Mulching:
- Use straw or leaves to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
(e) Pest Control:
- Prepare neem-based organic pesticide (neem + water + fermentation).
- Use spray bottles to apply.
(f) Weeding:
- Use hand or cultivator to remove weeds regularly.
12. Garden Decoration
Ideas to decorate the garden:
- Paint stones and flower pots.
- Create sculptures from waste.
- Make a scarecrow to protect from birds.
13. Observation and Recording
- Maintain a diary with weekly observations: seedling emergence, leaf color, height, flowering.
- Use sketches or photos to document plant growth.
14. Harvesting
- Identify readiness based on leaf maturity, fruit size, or flower growth.
- Use correct tools like garden shears or trowels.
- Handle produce gently to avoid damage.
- Sort and clean the harvest for use.
15. Market Visit and Pricing
- Visit local market, note vegetable prices.
- Estimate pricing of school-grown produce based on cost of seeds, inputs, market rates.
- Discuss with peers and teacher how to price harvested items.
16. Smart Kitchen Garden using AI
- Use AI apps to:
- Identify plants and pests.
- Schedule watering and fertilisation.
- Record plant growth.
- Geotag the garden using mobile apps to log location-based data.
What Did I Learn?
Students reflect on:
- Key learnings from peers.
- Time taken for each activity.
- What could be done better next time.
- Jobs related to gardening like farmer, gardener, agricultural scientist.
New Terms
| Term | Simple Definition |
|---|---|
| Vermicompost | Fertiliser made using worms and organic waste |
| Mulching | Covering soil with dry leaves or straw to retain water |
| Stake | Support stick for plants to help them grow upright |
| Manure | Natural fertiliser from animal dung |
| Compost | Organic matter decomposed into fertiliser |
| Seedling | Young plant grown from a seed |
| Transplanting | Moving seedlings to a garden for further growth |
| Organic pesticide | Natural insect repellent made from neem and other herbs |
| Layout | Planned arrangement of garden beds or pots |
| Geotagging | Adding location information to photos or posts |
Practice Questions
Easy (3)
-
What is a kitchen garden?
A garden where vegetables and herbs are grown. -
Name two tools used in gardening.
Garden trowel, watering can. -
Why is manure important for plants?
It provides nutrients that help plants grow.
Medium (2)
-
How do you prepare vermicompost?
By using organic waste and red worms in a moist bin with drainage. -
What are two safety measures while gardening?
Wear gloves and lift heavy pots with help.
Difficult (3)
-
Explain how to transplant seedlings.
Dig a hole, place seedling carefully, match soil level, and press soil gently. -
Why is spacing between plants important?
To ensure proper growth, light, and access to water for each plant. -
How does mulching help in gardening?
It keeps soil moist, prevents weed growth, and maintains temperature.
Very Difficult (2)
-
Describe the use of AI in kitchen gardening.
AI can suggest plants, track growth, detect pests, and help with care schedules. -
What are the steps to make a neem-based pesticide?
Chop neem leaves, soak in water for 14 days, strain, and spray on plants.