Restoration of the vegetable garden and creation of a sensory garden, composting and a biodiversity corner, with activities such as watering, sowing, harvesting, science, art and storytelling, promoting sensory exploration and intergenerational learning.
We intend to restore the Spiral Garden created by the children, featuring aromatic plants, vegetables, and flowers. In line with the Curriculum Guidelines for Preschool Education, the aim is to create a cultivation space organized by colors, shapes, and growth cycles. The children will participate in watering, sowing, and harvesting. The Sensory Garden will have plants and flowers that stimulate the senses: smell, touch, and sight.
Creating spaces with stones, logs, and pathways to explore texture and motor skills.
Composting for Kids aims to teach about the natural cycle of waste and the importance of healthy soil.
Biodiversity Corner: Bird nesting box, insect hotel, mini pond with frogs or toads (safe and supervised).
Observing insects and small animals as part of the learning process.
Learning Workshops.
Telling stories about plants, animals, and the cycles of nature, in an intergenerational activity in conjunction with the residents of the AMITEI nursing home.
Art activities using natural materials: leaves, seeds, flowers.
Simple science experiments: germination, plant growth, rain, sunlight.
About the author
The promoter of this initiative is the Marrazes School Group (AEM), in Leiria.
The AEM (Area of Educational Intervention) has been a Priority Intervention Educational Territory since 1996. It currently has 2500 students of 37 different nationalities, distributed across 24 educational establishments. Its area of intervention is located in a zone marked by a rather fragile social and economic context.
The José Mattoso Basic School, where the permaculture project is planned, has 650 children from preschool and the first cycle of primary education.
Budget and due dates
Estimated Budget for the "Discovery Garden and Vegetable Garden" Project
|
Item
|
Amount
|
Unit Price (€)
|
Subtotal (€)
|
Observations
|
|
Raised flower beds (treated wood or composite)
|
8
|
180 €
|
1,440 €
|
15 m² per flower bed (≈3x5 m), weather resistant
|
|
Soil and organic compost
|
8 m³
|
35 €
|
280 €
|
Fertile soil + compost for filling
|
|
Safe children's tools
|
Set 8
|
25 €
|
200 €
|
Shovel, rake, watering can, gloves
|
|
Seeds and plants
|
Various
|
150 €
|
150 €
|
Aromatic herbs, vegetables, hardy flowers
|
|
Children's composter
|
1
|
100 €
|
100 €
|
Small, safe for children.
|
|
Sensory material / decoration
|
–
|
150 €
|
150 €
|
Stones, tree trunks, educational plaques, plaques with plant names.
|
|
Posters and teaching materials
|
–
|
80 €
|
80 €
|
Explanation of natural cycles, stories, educational games.
|
|
Insect hotel / nest box
|
1
|
80 €
|
80 €
|
Encourage biodiversity
|
|
Simple irrigation / watering
|
–
|
200 €
|
200 €
|
Drip irrigation system or hoses
|
Land preparation: €300
Document collection for the School Library: €1500
Total project cost - €4480
Project scheduled to be completed by the end of July 2026.
