I was asked to design a special “literacy garden” for the school library where the students could hang out and read outdoors.
Ever since my kids were in elementary school, I was involved in their classes and volunteered in the school garden beginning in the fall and throughout the school year.
I looked forward to loading up my truck with plants and mounds of soil and digging in because it gave me a great excuse to hang around my kids and be a part of their world outside of our home.
Of course, I enjoyed gardening too!
The site for the future school “literacy garden!”
It was to be a whimsical retreat, a place where the kids could read, dream and commune with nature.
The design and installation of the garden took a lot longer than I expected as funds had to be raised and construction approved by the school district.
No one put pressure on me to complete the work overnight, but I felt an internal time clock beating.
I wanted to complete the project before my son graduated from elementary school so he could enjoy at least a full year of seeing “mom’s garden.”
I never told anyone about my concern and desire to “beat the clock.”
I designed the garden when my son was in third grade and my daughter in first grade.
No mow red fescue grass and glass river
The garden was completed just before the second semester of my son’s fifth grade, his graduating year.
I felt a little sad that he would only be able to enjoy it for a semester, but relieved that my daughter would be able to enjoy it for longer than that.
There was a ribbon cutting ceremony for the garden and I was honored with a plaque and a sign was posted at the entrance of the garden with the words, “Designed by Shirley Bovshow”
This act of recognition was more than I expected or desired.
The students were so thankful and it made me happy to see them excited and sitting around the garden.
My son and daughter were smiling and seemed proud of their “special connection to the garden.”
My son gave me a hug and whispered in my ear, “Thanks for finishing the garden before graduation.”
It didn’t occur to me that my son had his own time clock ticking too, and it made me feel a little sad that he carried this concern too.
Maybe I was just feeling his heart all along, or maybe he was feeling mine?
My sons words made me realize that this garden would hold a special place in his heart long after graduation.
As a mom, I am warmed by the fact that a small part of my son and daughters childhood will live on in this special garden.
School is back in session, which means its the perfect time to create a special garden memory for your child!
The children enjoy their new literacy garden
Lush, tropical plants, cycad
Decorative turtle in the garden
Abutilon in background, ferns and calla lilies
Plaster, clay and mosaic garden art created by the school children for the literacy garden
Plaques to inspire the kids to “imagine”
An encouragement to “read,” perfectly placed in a school literacy garden!
Designer Shirley Bovshow with her children in front of the Literacy Garden in 2004
Hi Suzanne- Thanks for visiting EdenMakers!
The blue material is recyled, tumbled glass. It isn’t sharp so you can even walk on it. It’s a good idea to lay a landscape fabric underneath it so the glass won’t get buried in the soil.
Good luck on you project.
Shirley
Hi Shirley, I ran across your blog when I was looking for ideas to build an adventure garden/ play area for my kids. I would love to know what the blue material is that you used for the river and did it hold up well? I'm in the San Fernando Valley. I would love to connect!
Suzanne
Thank you Karen for reading the blog post and for commenting! The school garden was a labor of love and all worth it!
Beautiful! What an awesome project. I loved getting my children involved with gardening – and it was a challenge! The photos make me want to grab a book and settle myself somewhere in the landscape. I love the focus elements – especially the turtle. The flowering oak is so lovely! Thanks for sharing!
Hey Calvin,
Welcome to Edenmakers! Thanks for reading the post and sharing your comment.You sound like a very energetic and positive person. I get that vibe from your comment. I hope your daughter continues to enjoy hanging out with you in the garden. My kids (now in high school) will accompany me to garden projects- if I pay them!! Enjoy your daughters company while it’s free!
You are to be congratulated on your design and your perseverance! School grounds are horribly neglected opportunities to enrich children’s education in the sciences, nutrition, even mathmatics, plus good old-fashioned work. Since she was old enough to follow me around,I have always included my daughter in my landscaping and gardening endeavors ( http://wp.me/1t644 ). It is amazing how much kids actually enjoy gardening when it is not seen as a ‘chore!’ Hooray for you and count me as a new subscriber!
HI Lisa,
Thanks for the heartfelt comment! I’m jealous that you’ve been to Japan. I’ve always been fascinated by their culture and food. I hope the school maintains the garden now that my kids are gone.
Shirley
I don’t know why, I feel a little bit choked up looking at this, something about the unique beauty and the way I imagine kids exploring it, discovering a little bit of garden magic. Not in looks but sentiment, it reminds me of the school gardens I used to see in Japan, cared for by the students, with a great deal of pride. I think future scholars are going to feel the same pride that they’re the school with the “cool garden”.
Well done!
[…] Anyone  out there have the “cajones” to venture into the thrilling and sometimes mad world of school and community gardens? […]
Hi Robert- I agree, most schools look like depressing institutions. I’m happy to see that the school gardening movement is gaining momentum.
Thanks for stopping by.
Shirley
Wow what an amazing garden. Every school should have one! Most schools look like prisons.
Hi Alison,
Welcome to Eden Makers! Sounds like you may have been inspired to create a literacy garden yourself! Go for it. Maybe your school hasn’t thought of it yet, so you will have to propose it. Let me know if anything comes of it.
Shirley
Thanks Lucy,
You are such an active grandma and a talented one too! What lucky kids. Your passion for reading will not be lost on the kids- they usually pick up on positive energy and are influenced by it.
SHirley
Hi Shirley…I enjoy reading your stuff! I think school farms could become 50% of the school endeavor. 50:50 building/farm ration, 50:50 curriculum. So much more of what kid’s need than the classroom life! Thanks for the fun post and your family’s story.
Stunning! Inspires a sense of peace and well-being. Lucky kids.
I did a whimsical mural for my children and grandson of a forest scene and had loads of books for them to read in the room. It was very peaceful. I am passionate about literacy and instilling a love of reading to kids. Bravo to you, Shirley!
What a wonderful idea. Congratulations on the completion of the literacy garden. I love to read and I love to garden. I never thought of combining the two in a school garden.
I agree, a sustainable lifestyle begins in the garden. We’re on the same wavelength!
HI Curlytop!
Welcome to Eden Makers! If you get started on a special garden now, your son will get to enjoy seeing it for many years to come. I wish my son could have enjoyed “the garden mom designed” a ittle longer. He was so proud of it!
Shirley
Beautiful Garden! Love the colors and the memories to create it as well as all the children that will get to enjoy from now on. Your work is appericated. My son is in kindergarten which this is the second yr for the school to be opened. I see many possibilites from your garden I am even more sure of it needs to happen! Thank you
WOW! I love the purple path. I’ve always thought about doing a pink one in my garden. It looks great Mom!
Thanks Steve. It’s ok, you can walk on the dry riverbed, just don’t kick up the glass- its expensive!
thanks for dropping in.
Shirley
Yeah, I also loved your blue thingy, lol. Big time. I was going to say I could walk on that for hours, then you blew it for me, saying it was a daggone riverbed………….. Shirley, I love it, honestly.
There’s an elementary school here in Portland with their own garden like that. Very fun and it has gorgeous plant elements, just like yours. Very cool.
Hi Philip-
The blue tumbled glass is a dry riverbed! I agree that kids notice when things are beautiful and when someone has taken care to make something special for them. I like that you are so aware about what is going on in your community Philip, I have a feeling most people don’t.
By the way, I enjoyed your post on the restoration project.
Anna-
Thanks! I hope I age the way my mom and dad are aging. They are 5-10 years behind.
SHirley
You look younger now.
I love the blue glass walkway! That is brilliant. I love the painted fence and the plaques. All the details and interesting plants. children love beautiful environments too. I think that they pick up on the fact that people care, and that they are special and loved. They have a standard of excellence to live up to. They are currently upgrading Daniel webster school in my neighborhood and my friend did the new website pro bono. the school has been painted bright colors, murals completed, trees planted, concrete retaining walls painted!
Your work here is inspired. I love it.
regards,
Philip
I had to go get a tissue on that one! I think this project will live on to see another generation of Bovshow kiddos enjoying it. It’s so well done. I love the curving path of blue glass, the mix of tall and short grasses and shrubs perfect for hiding in and around, and the wall words are tastefully done to complement the theme of a children’s garden. It was so well thought out. I do understand that connection your son had with you. My kids are tuned to me like that too!
Thanks Donna and Nancy. I still get a little teary-eyed when I look at these photos, they bring back warm memories of my kids.
These special gardens I create for my kids and family are like “breadcrumbs from my heart” meant to lead them back to me.
Shirley
What a spectacular project – and what an amazing legacy you leave to these kids. 🙂 Kudos to you!
Great project! Congratulations.