Blueberries
One of the first farm to school projects at St. Albans City School was the planting of a "barrier" of blueberry bushes in the median between our main parking lot and the road to our school. We had high hopes that the planting would produce lots of berries and would channel everyone into the designated walk way. Signs were created to explain that the blueberries would only do well if people stopped walking across the median. Additionally we produced public service messages to educate the public to stay off the median and let the plants grow.
LINK TO VIDEO about the first two years of the blueberry project
Unfortunately, our initiatives did not work. Many people continued to walk across the median and the blueberry plants did not thrive. They failed to grow and harvests were minimal. After awhile we realized it was not just compacted ground that was effecting the blueberries, but also plowing in winter. The snow plows push salt-laden snow up from the road and onto the median with the blueberry bushes. It was decided to shift the blueberries to a healthier location and replant the median with different vegetation.
LINK TO VIDEO about the first two years of the blueberry project
Unfortunately, our initiatives did not work. Many people continued to walk across the median and the blueberry plants did not thrive. They failed to grow and harvests were minimal. After awhile we realized it was not just compacted ground that was effecting the blueberries, but also plowing in winter. The snow plows push salt-laden snow up from the road and onto the median with the blueberry bushes. It was decided to shift the blueberries to a healthier location and replant the median with different vegetation.
Removal of the blueberries from the parking lot median
Here is what the old blueberry median looks like now. It is full of pollinator plants and has a low cedar fence to discourage walk-throughs.
Blueberries transplanted to the market garden area of our property
Jeff Young, who has donated countless hours of his labor and expertise, kindly shifted the blueberries into their new space in the spring of 2016. The blueberry bushes are gradually recovering and are now producing modest amounts of fruit.
Team Triumph now supervises the blueberries & raspberries in the garden (2023)
Each learning community takes on the supervision of some component of our stewardship program. Team Triumph stepped up to maintain the School's blueberry bushes and the raspberry cane patch (school year 2022/2023). They weed these plants and educate fellow students on their value and care. Team Triumph also manages the school's orchard.