Dunham garden is located in the north east corner of the Dunham school, in the dairy hills of north Petaluma. Our garden thrives because of the foggy coastal influence that provides our plants with moisture. Dunham is a TK-6th 'California Distinguished School' that focuses on cooperation, honesty, integrity, ethical behavior, and responsibility. We value these characteristics in our garden classroom. 

Lowe's Toolbox for Education 

In the spring of 2017 the Dunham Garden Program received a grant for $5,000 from Lowes! Thanks to the dedicated Garden Committee and Dunham staff, Engineers without Borders, National Storage Tank, Friedmans Brothers, Union Pacific Construction Inc.,  we were able to implement this project, completing it in July 2018!

We are so grateful for the opportunity to expand Dunham's Garden Program, and feel this rainwater catchment system is the step we needed to unsure the sustainability of our expansion dreams.

Check out the progress of the project in the pictures below. 

#toolboxforeducation

The Garden Program was able to get a plot at the Juniors Garden section at the Sonoma County Fair! 

Check out all the fun, learning, and growing we did this spring :) 

 Spring 2017 Began with a Bang!
​
The garden committee reached out and were able to receive a large donation of seeds from the Petaluma Seed Bank, 10 yards of soil from Grab N' Grow  and with delivery help thanks to Rip City Riders!

A Huge thank you to United Forest Products for their generous donation of 16 yards of wood chips!!

(Fall 2016)
​Garden Club Students helped harvest the first pumpkins from
our Dunham Pumpkin Patch!

We were SO excited!!!!

Check out our Dunham grown pumpkins!!

​I think they grew so well because of the amazing quality compost we had donated by Andy Poncia, and the hard work we all put in this spring.

Making Lavender Crowns and Wands (and a bow and arrow) was so much fun!!
Look how creative the Dunham students are :) 


3rd graders used loupes to take a closer look in our pumpkin patch
Below are some photos of their time exploring and observing


Below is a slideshow of 1st and 2nd graders in our PUMPKIN PATCH :)

Mrs. Buckner's 1st graders used links to measure the pumpkins in our patch. We were having so much fun seeing which pumpkins were the biggest! This was such a great way to explore and practice measurement in a way that was fun and meaningful. 

Mrs. Whitehorn's 2nd graders used loupes to magnify their perspectives while observing and exploring in our pumpkin patch. A few 2nd graders wanted to share their "closer look" drawing and descriptions. We were very excited to get a surprise visit from a preying mantis! 
September 2nd
Fall 2016
 
Dear Dunham parents, teachers, staff, and community members,
 
I am overcome with gratitude for the support and participation I see the garden program at Dunham is receiving this fall trimester. I wanted to share my feelings of deep appreciation for all the parents, teachers, and staff who are reaching out, donating their time or materials, and coming to help in the garden classes.
 
As I walked around the garden and pumpkin patch this morning I was so pleased with all I saw growing. We are providing a magical, scientific, safe, and fun space for our students to explore and learn.
 
Thank you so much to all who donated during the open house! We raised  $158!!
 
I am in my second year at Sonoma State University working towards my Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education, working 25 hours on Full House Farm (where I live) in addition to my work as the Garden Teacher and Coordinator at Dunham. I am so grateful for your involvement and help in the garden program. I can truthfully and wholeheartedly say I could not do it without all of you!
 
Thank you all so much for making the Dunham Garden program a success!

Warmly,

Miss Lindsey 


​The Dunham Pumpkin Patch in August

A lovely moment captured by Natalie in the Dunham garden this summer.


​Below are photos of the first pumpkins in our patch in late June/early July!!

As of Sunday the 5th of June I counted over 160 pumpkin plants in our patch.
​As they grow stronger I will leave the strongest and best positioned plants and pull out the weaker plants. 

Stay tuned for more updates . . . and let Ms. Lindsey know if you can come out during the summer to help in the garden or patch!

Please email her at [email protected] 

A HUGE THANK YOU to all the folks who have contributed to pumpkin patch!!! 
Below are photos of the beginning phases:


The end of the 2015/2016​ school year was filled with FLOWER PETAL ART and Herb Studies

Ms. Lindsey will be presenting her Learning Story at the Sonoma State Teacher Technology Showcase! 

This winter Natalie Hiller and I created a garden newsletter called the "Garden Gazette" here is our first edition below. Please look ahead to more in the student's Friday Folders throughout the year. 
Calendula Officinalis is one of my favorite herbs! I was eager to grow it here in the Dunham garden. We planted three different varieties and all were very prolific. The students learned about the multiple uses and benefits of calendula flower petals and young leaves, by tasting the flowers, using them in a "6 plant part snack," and infusing the flowers in oil. 
 I share with the Dunham students my appreciation for flowers in the garden. Flowers attract pollinators, bring beauty and utility to your garden, plus some of them are edible!
Students made calendula seed packets to take home for the final week of
​garden classes Fall 2015
I appreciate the power of herbs and have taught the Dunham students how to identify and properly harvest mint and lemon balm (shown above.) We have propagated mint for the students to take home. As well as added mint into delicious recipes made in the garden, and you can see one of the recipes in Garden Gazette above.