Over the last couple years, students of the Garden Club at Dartmouth Middle School have worked together to transform the school’s courtyard. 

Led by eighth grade science teacher Laurie Hellstrom and instructional technology specialist Temple Mitchell, students got approval around fall 2022 then planned out the space and built it from the ground up.

And they didn’t even need their budget.

Initially, the club had a budget of $3,000. Thanks to donations, largely of materials, from sponsors, the project didn’t cost the club anything but the students’ own manual labor. 

Those who sponsored the club’s project include Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, Pico Stone Imports & Supply, Dartmouth Education Foundation, Elf’s Landscape Inc. and Horace Mann Rick Landers Agency as well as several private donors and Dartmouth Middle School staff.

Throughout the project, students had the opportunity to learn how to use different tools and were able to build picnic tables, a storage shed and composting bins for the courtyard. During the winter months, the students worked on hydroponics towers, which allow students to grow plants without soil.

Hellstrom said, “It was a great thing to see, to be able to give them that experience.”

Eighth grader Oliver Goncalves, who is a long-time member of the club, highlighted the herb garden the students will be putting in soon, which will include dill, oregano and thyme.

Additionally, the students are working on growing vegetables such as asparagus, rhubarb and onions.

Mitchell said the club is also working on a pollinator garden and even built their own pollinator boxes. The club is looking to earn Monarch Watch Certification as a part of the Monarch Waystation Program, which helps support the Monarch butterfly population.

“We have the focus as an educational space,” she said. “So we have a lot of signage teaching about sustainable practices.”

Additionally, she highlighted how it can also be an outdoor learning space for classes who might just want to spend some time outside. 

Mitchell and Hellstrom said they are proud of their students and appreciative of both former Principal Darren Doane and current Principal Peter Rossi for their continued support of the club and its efforts.

“It's been a fun project,” Hellstrom said. “Thank you for your support.”