Window Garden

Plant Growth - Height of Plant (cm)

Week	Mint	Chives	Parsley (L)	Parsley (R)	Sage	Dill
1	15.2	24.5	15.2	8.7	18.8	22.2
2	18.7	25.5	16.7	8.9	18.9	27.3
3	18.9	26	20.2	10	19.5	28.2
4
5
6
7

Plant Growth - Number of Leaves

Week	Mint	Chives	Parsley (L)	Parsley (R)	Sage	Dill
1	10	15	24	11	9	5
2	13	19	27	12	12	6
3	19	21	32	15	13	8
4
5
6
7

Suitability of Choice of Plants

We chose herbs for all our plants, as they are quite hardy and don't need too much attention. We already had the plants as seedlings, because, if you are planting seeds, they might not grow. The herbs don't need too much direct sunlight, which made them suitable to grow in a classroom without direct sunlight. The herbs don't need a lot of water to grow.

Predicted Changes of Plants during Holidays

The plants on't be watered as regularly, they might not grow, and might even die. There might be a big build up of water in the bottom row of plants, because the watered won't be drained out of them as regularly, so the roots may rot. The plants in the upper rows might thrive and grow a lot in height and number of leaves. 

Modifications since Start

We have not made any modifications since the start of the project. We made lots of very tiny holes in the bottom of each container, which meant that the water would seep through slowly enabling the roots to absorb sufficient water. We placed a layer of bark on top of the soil, around each plant, to minimize the amount of evaporation from the soil. We mixed in 500g Vermiculite to 15dm3 Patio & Tub Mix. The vermiculite absorbs and holds water and releases it slowly to the plant when required and has neutral pH. It also helps to aerate the soil, helps prevent compaction, and improves the water holding capabilities.

Learnings from Project as a Whole

James Elliott

It was good to do the project in a group, because there are many different jobs each member has to do. The construction itself was a team effort, because we needed some of the group to hold something while the other group did something else. I learnt that there are low cost ways of growing your own food. It is also possible to make a window garden, without harming the planet, by using recycable good wherever possible. I have learnt that you don't need a garden to grow plants. All you need is a WINDOW!

James Clarke

Throughout the first term I have enjoyed working on our Group Window Garden Project. I believe that I have learnt many new and helpful skills such as teamwork and a new found ability to work well with others. Working as a group has made it an almost seamless experience. Each of us would specialize in something which made everything a lot more efficient and easier to do.

Josh Carnell

From the project I learnt that it is possible to grow your own fresh food even if you haven't got a garden. I learnt that a window garden is a great way to grow your own food because it is cheap to make and saves water and space. I also learnt that there are many different ways of making a window garden and that some are more effective than others. 

Abdul Maalik Kerbelker

The Biology Window Garden Project has been a great learning experience for me. It allowed me to experience new things and acquire knowledge that might assist me with future endeavours. I learnt about the many designs and methods that can be used in the building of the gardens and how using environmentally friendly ways of irrigation and construction can lead to a cost effective and environmentally secure way of gardening. The contribution and participation of all members of the group must be commended and I thoroughly enjoyed working with my group members. 

WOW Factor

Suzelle DIY Window Garden

How to make a Window Garden

Photos taken of Window Garden at the end of Term 1

Finished Window Garden

Top Level of Plants

Middle Level of Plants

Bottom Level of Plants

Chives

Dill

Parsley (Right)

Parsley (Left)

Sage

Mint

Construction

Collecting water from container in bottom row

Completed planter with chives

Layer of bark

Water draining from one container into the next

Storage position for water collection jugs

Water stored at bottom of bottom container

Aerial view of empty planter showing drainage holes

Silhouette of completed window garden 

Aerial view of window garden, connected to pole on window

Parsley and Sage

Adding bark around plant

Adding soil to plants

Adding drainage rocks to window garden

Construction:

Materials: (include photo you took in garage)

• 6 x recycled 5L water bottles (planter)

• 2 x recycled plastic “beer” mugs (jug)

• Various pieces of scrap wooden strips

• Nails

• Hammer

• Cable Ties

• Masking tape

• Knife

• Glue

Tools used for construction

Method:

Construct frame from pieces of scrap wood

Cut off “top” portion of water bottle

Place it onto the bottom of the water bottle – to create a “funnel” and secure with masking tape

Remove lids from 4 of the 6 water bottles (to allow water to drip into bottle below)

Keep lids on the bottles in the lowest row – once water has built up, remove lid and let water empty into a “jug” and then pour that water into the bottles in the top row. Replace lids on bottom row.

Nail bottles onto wooden frame – 2 per “row”

Seal holes made in plastic bottles with glue to make watertight.

Nail wooden frame to vertical wooden pole

Using cable ties, attach wooden pole to permanent pillar located in classroom (choose a sunny spot, with sufficient light and air)

A bit of fun!

Finished frame of window garden

Planting:

Materials: (include photo you took in garage)

• Drainage chips

• Patio & Tub Mix

• Vermiculite

• Bark

• Seedlings

• Gardening gloves

• Water

• Plant “labels”

• Marker pen

Patio and Tub Mix

Drainage stones

Vermiculite

Bark

Method:

Place drainage chips at bottom of container.

Partly fill with Patio & Tub Mix.

Position seedling in middle of container

Fill with more Patio & Tub Mix

Add a layer of bark – this reduces evaporation, while still allowing water to reach the soil

Initial soaking after planting is essential

Label each planter with the herb that is planted in it

Measuring out drainage stones

Stones

Stones

Soil on top of stones

Soil on top of stones

Herb planted in soil

Herb planted in soil

Tips:

Take care when using knife to cut off tops of water bottle – preferably get help from an adult.

Use Patio & Tub mix rather than normal potting soil as it contains sifted bark, composted and milled coco peat, slow release organic fertilizer and has an optimum soil pH.

Mix in 500g Vermiculite to 15dm3 Patio & Tub Mix

• Absorbs and holds water and releases it slowly to the plant when required

• Has neutral pH

• Helps to aerate the soil, helps prevent compaction , improves water holding capabilities

Do not compress soil, this will happen naturally over time from watering

Place a thin layer of bark around the planted seedling to further control evaporation.

Protect the plant from extreme heat and sunlight for the 1^st few days.