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Clarissa Klostermann

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Dec 4, 2020, 3:10:01 PM12/4/20
to School Garden Support Organization Network
Hello all, 

I serve with a number of school gardens, and we've just gotten some funding to do some enhancements. Currently, none of the gardens have seating. I know many places use tree stumps because of affordability and because they can be moved around with relative ease. I'm wondering if folx using stumps enjoy them/find them effective, what heights seem to work best, etc. I'm also curious if anyone has found other low-cost options they really enjoy for student seating that they'd recommend.

Thank you all so much for your insight!

Best,
Clarissa

Amy Carlson

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Dec 4, 2020, 5:21:35 PM12/4/20
to Clarissa Klostermann, School Garden Support Organization Network
Hi there,
These benches (see photo attached), made super simply with 2x10 lumber at 3.5 foot lengths (just screwed right into the wooden tops of pier blocks) have lasted years and are the perfect height & size for the K-3rd graders at our school garden. Three kids can sit on each bench (when it's not COVID!). 
The pier blocks cost about $4 each and we got the lumber donated by our local lumberyard (they're sometimes especially willing to donate any crooked boards they have around). The only other costs were screws and paint. 
These can be moved by two people (or one if you're really strong!).
Best wishes,
Amy




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Amy Carlson
Garden Education Director
She/Her
a...@lifelab.org
      
Life Lab cultivates children's love of learning, healthy 
food, and nature through garden-based education.
Life Lab is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with locations in 
Santa Cruz and Watsonville, California
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School Sprouts

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Dec 4, 2020, 5:30:17 PM12/4/20
to Clarissa Klostermann, School Garden Support Organization Network
I really love these benches that convert from benches to tables. They require 2x4s to construct so they’re more of an investment but if the boards break or rot they can be repaired and I’ve used them for nearly 10 years and the frames have never broken.  I’ve had students sand and paint the 2x4s and help to assemble them.  Measure carefully though!

I’ve used stumps but kids tend to rock them and then they get tippy.  They’re certainly affordable though.  Definitely avoid pine or other evergreen stumps because of the resin.  They’re also quick to rot compared with hardwood stumps.  
Good Luck, 
Hope

Roman, Rolando

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Dec 4, 2020, 5:32:35 PM12/4/20
to Amy Carlson, Clarissa Klostermann, School Garden Support Organization Network
Hello. We received a grant from Lowe’s, they donated three picnic tables. We retrofitted a table and made it a dry-erase board. Our students love our outdoor setting. 

Also, many other teachers have been using the space to facilitate their class. An opportunity to use a space for cross curriculum. 

Image.jpeg

Message sent via mobile device. Pardon any typos.

Healthy Regards,

Coach Ro
Rolando Román M.Ed.
Physical Education Teacher
Mannsdale Upper Elementary

From: school-gar...@googlegroups.com <school-gar...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Amy Carlson <a...@lifelab.org>
Sent: Friday, December 4, 2020 4:21:13 PM
To: Clarissa Klostermann <clarissa.k...@foodcorps.org>
Cc: School Garden Support Organization Network <school-gar...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [External] Re: Garden Seating
 

Pamela Flory

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Dec 4, 2020, 7:10:44 PM12/4/20
to Amy Carlson, Clarissa Klostermann, School Garden Support Organization Network
Hi there.  We had some nice stools made from oak that was donated to our woodworking shop.  We had a design contest for our older students.  Depending on how they are tipped is the height.  Can also be used as a table and has storage.  Not a great photo but you can probably get the idea.  The one in the back is in "table mode" and you can also see the storage (books or bags while the kids are in the garden).  Simple design.  They are HEAVY.  Good because they don't tip easily but hard for the littles to move alone.  (prek-K)  They stack nicely.  Because they are individual, it's easy to move them around.  Normally we do a semicircle and we can make it tight or loose.  Convenient for our current situation for proper spacing.  We also have a stash of plastic folding chairs, commercial grade.  They live in the garden, sheltered.  I have to say they are super convenient and light weight.  I'm really into a flexible system right now and those chairs have come in very handy.  Those along with some 6' plastic folding tables (I cover with oilcloth) are so great as you can make just about any configuration you want, and very easy to move around.  Again....flexibility.
Good luck...Pam



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Pam Flory
609 480-8902
Garden Coordinator and Educator
Princeton Day School




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CTSMadison

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Dec 7, 2020, 1:03:34 AM12/7/20
to School Garden Support Organization Network
We've used Aldo Leopold Benches which are easily portable by one adult and therefore easy to move into the shade when the shade moves!  A local youth juvenile corrections program took on the construction project for us when we provided the materials using grant money 5 years ago.  The 8 benches we made needed a new coat of varnish after 4 years of Wisconsin winters but have provided a wonderful gathering place.  Younger kids can sit 3-4 to a bench.  The upper elementary students prefer 2-3 to a bench in non-Covid times.

Good luck,
Carol

Leesa Carter

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Dec 7, 2020, 10:50:47 AM12/7/20
to CTSMadison, School Garden Support Organization Network

Our team member has used Lowe’s buckets. The lids have removable rings on them.

 

If you buy a bunch of thick foam and cut it to size; and a bunch of fabric choices (purchased in bulk); the students can:

 

  1. Cut a circle of fabric;
  2. Place the fabric over the pre-cut circle of foam;
  3. Place foam and fabric on the plastic lid circle and then reset removable ring so it holds them all in place as a cushy seat;
  4. Students can use the bucket to keep their pen, garden journal, clipboard, etc. in;
  5. Each student writes their name on their “garden seat” which contains all their instructional equipment and carries it out to the garden when they go.

 

Leesa Carter-Jones (she/her)
President & CEO
Captain Planet Foundation

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Em Shipman

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Dec 7, 2020, 10:54:25 AM12/7/20
to Leesa Carter, CTSMadison, School Garden Support Organization Network
Great idea, Leesa! 
You can get easy-to-clean 5-gallon buckets for free from restaurants. Pickles come in them. 




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Emily Shipman 
Executive Director
she/her (why pronouns?)




za...@esynola.org

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Dec 7, 2020, 4:24:36 PM12/7/20
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I have made seats out of milk crates (which were free at my school).  On what would be the bottom I zip-tied a piece of plywood and then on top of that glued a square of yoga mat.  It gives just enough cushion to make it comfortable.  Kids can easily carry them anywhere in the garden.  

Kristin LoVerde

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Jan 20, 2021, 2:23:39 PM1/20/21
to za...@esynola.org, School Garden Support Organization Network
Hello,

Since so many folks are having their groceries delivered, I have been collecting the cooler bags and the padding that are use for frozen food.  I put 2-3 of the padding in the cooler bags and seal them for portable seats. 😀

laney...@gmail.com

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Jan 20, 2021, 3:28:33 PM1/20/21
to School Sprouts, Clarissa Klostermann, School Garden Support Organization Network
Hi Clarissa,

Our students really enjoy the tree stumps as seating and they last a few years if sealed well.  We found that having them in a circle was really nice and effective for teaching. The students have to use clipboards when writing at their tree still seats, which is OK, but can be a bit cumbersome. Several of our schools opted for these table/benches, which were much more ideal for holding “stations” where various materials were needed for a lesson.  Hope that helps.  

~Laney

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