The Del Mar Heights Gardens have been designed to provide an outdoor space for hands-on learning that integrates studies in Science, Health, Technology, Math, Language Arts, and Creative Expression with practical and collaborative applications. These learning opportunities allow students to develop a passion for the outdoors while giving them practical application of curriculum topics. Such opportunities foster in our children a sense of stewardship of their environment, gives them a personalized understanding of their own health and nutrition, and improves their overall accountability for themselves and community.
We are planning a wide range of fun activities this year and we always need help from parents to make things happen. We have opportunities for all availability, interest, and skill levels!! Please contact Stephanie Murphy. |
Click here to see What's Happening in the Heights Gardens?
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What's growing?
Celtuce, Swiss chard, Devil's Ear lettuce and Strawberry guavas! Through the year, our garden grows Blueberries, Sugar Cane, Garlic Chives, Romanesco and Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Paris Island and Devil's Ear Lettuce, Early Snowball Cauliflower, Early Jersey and Golden Acre Cabbage, Crispy Colors Duo Kohlrabi and Chinese Cabbage! We also have fennel, lavender, citronella, and a variety of succulents & flowers. What trees are in our gardens?
Anna Apple, Feijoa (Pineapple Guava), Pomegranate, Mandarin Orange, Olive, Strawberry Guava, White Peach, Pink Guava, Loquat, Japanese Silverberry, Strawberry (Arbutus Undedo), Page Tangerine, Eureka Lemon, and Western Redbud. |
2019-2020 EVENTS & PROJECTS
Every Friday at Lunch
Garden Club Farm-to-Table Events L'Auberge Kitchen 1540 Sur La Table Snooze A.M. Eatery Read more about Farm-to-Table In Conjunction with Heights Cares Prepping soil, planting seeds and harvesting crops to be donated to Feeding America Other Projects - Train lemon tree branches on the shade arbor - Monitor growth in the planters & harvest - Teaching proper garden etiquette - Monitor worm compost bins |
CLASSROOM PROJECTS
Kindergarten
- Milkweed & the Monarch Butterfly First Grade - Learn the Different Parts of a Plant Second Grade - Farmers Market? - Students conduct their own experiments on what - affects plant growth, in addition to observing the relationships in ecosystems. - Sweet Potato Experiment in Science Lab Third Grade - Plants Used by the Kumeyaay - Photograph Garden Plants While Exploring Plant Adaptations - Bonnie Plant Giant Cabbage Growing Contest Fourth Grade - Study the internal/external structure of plants. - Plant some California poppies to support discussions and studies of California history. Fifth Grade Composting and Decomposers |
IN THE NEWS
Del Mar Times - May 26, 2016
Del Mar Times - May 2, 2016 Union Tribune - April 8, 2016 Del Mar Times - March 17, 2016 Del Mar Times - April 28, 2015 Del Sol Magazine - March/April 2015 Del Mar Times - February 6, 2015 Del Mar TImes- December 9, 2014 Del Mar TImes- December 4, 2014 Del Mar Times - February 25, 2014 |
Click here for Recipes & Plant Care
Meet our Garden Coordinator: Stephanie Murphy
We'd like to introduce Stephanie Murphy, our garden coordinator. She is originally from Littleton, Colorado but has lived in San Diego for almost 30 years. While growing up, her parents and seven siblings liked to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers, which may explain her love of both gardening and children. Stephanie recently retired from the busy corporate life and is now focusing on her passion of gardening and fostering a more healthy and sustainable food system.
Stephanie has grown lots of fruits and vegetables in her own garden over the past 20 years, works on a farm in Vista and served as a Board Member for the California Rare Fruit Growers in 2014 and 2015. Edibles, of any type, are her favorite things to grow. She especially likes to grow fruit trees, rare and heirloom fruits and vegetables from seed, as well as experiment with juicing, dehydrating, and baking what has been grown.
She is looking forward to supporting the teachers, parents, and the Farm to Table program and believes there is something in the garden for everyone, even if not a gardener. If you haven’t noticed the transformation, please treat yourself and your children to a tour of both gardens. While there are many “works in progress” and ideas yet to unfold, we are certain you will be pleased with the direction we are headed.
We'd like to introduce Stephanie Murphy, our garden coordinator. She is originally from Littleton, Colorado but has lived in San Diego for almost 30 years. While growing up, her parents and seven siblings liked to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers, which may explain her love of both gardening and children. Stephanie recently retired from the busy corporate life and is now focusing on her passion of gardening and fostering a more healthy and sustainable food system.
Stephanie has grown lots of fruits and vegetables in her own garden over the past 20 years, works on a farm in Vista and served as a Board Member for the California Rare Fruit Growers in 2014 and 2015. Edibles, of any type, are her favorite things to grow. She especially likes to grow fruit trees, rare and heirloom fruits and vegetables from seed, as well as experiment with juicing, dehydrating, and baking what has been grown.
She is looking forward to supporting the teachers, parents, and the Farm to Table program and believes there is something in the garden for everyone, even if not a gardener. If you haven’t noticed the transformation, please treat yourself and your children to a tour of both gardens. While there are many “works in progress” and ideas yet to unfold, we are certain you will be pleased with the direction we are headed.