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Beaverton School District
Beaverton School District

Beaverton Schools

Garden Box Projects

Project:  Garden Boxes​

School garden boxes encourage learning, beautification, and naturescaping of school grounds and should be a lasting part of the community.  Planning ahead and working closely with the BSD Project Coordinator assigned to provide guidance with the installation and maintenance of your garden boxes will lead to a successful project.  Start your idea for a garden box project by discussing it with school administration, other parents, teachers, and groups.

Fully complete and submit a Facility Improvement Project Request.​  The Administrator for Maintenance Services will review your application for approval.  Upon approval (or approval with conditions), a BSD Project Coordinator will be assigned to your project.  Your Coordinator will review your FIP application and contact you for a meeting to discuss your project.  Review the Garden Box Guidelines and forward any questions you may have to your Coordinator.

Consider the following steps when designing your garden boxes.  Your assigned Project Coordinator can help you to define the scope and suggest resources to help you.

Project Scope

The scope of work includes all details of the project.  Ask:

  • What is the project?
  • Who will be planning and implementing it?
  • How will it be installed?  Who will complete the installation?​
  • How will the project be funded?
  • What are the goals of the garden boxes?
  • Who will be using the garden boxes?
  • Who will be participating in the design?
  • How will the garden boxes be watered?  BSD does not provide irrigation to the garden boxes.
  • How will the garden boxes be maintained long-term?
  • Where will the garden boxes be installed?  Location must be approved by the District.

Funding Source

  • Identify your funding source.  This information must be included with your FIP application.

Project Design

  • Provide a site plan with further details of your project when submitting your FIP application.  Check with your school's front office for a copy of the site plan.
  • Safety first!
  • Determine what type(s) of plants you will install in your garden box(es).  Use thorny plants at your discretion.  Flowers and fruiting plants can attract bees, which can become a hazard.  Avoid invasive plants!  At your request, the BSD Project Coordinator can provide a list of plants that are NOT approved by the District.  Select plants that require little maintenance or watering.
  • How will you dispose of plant debris?
  • The application of pesticides on District property is reserved for BSD Maintenance Services personnel only.  Application by other parties is prohibited.

Watering Plan

This plan must be included with your FIP application.

The plants in your garden box will need watering until they are established.  BSD does not provide irrigation.  Prior to starting your project, the FIP applicant must provide a watering plan for the garden boxes.  Consider the following items when developing your watering plan:

  • Identify the water source and the method you will use to transport water to your box.
  • Consider watering needs as determined by each season.
  • Permanent, hard water lines from existing hose bibs are strictly prohibited.

Maintenance Plan

This plan must be included with your FIP application

BSD does not have adequate resources to maintain your garden boxes and requires a long-term Maintenance Plan and Agreement.  Refer to the Guidelines for Garden Boxes for more information.

Prior to the start of work, applicant must provide a maintenance plan for the upkeep of the garden boxes.  BSD Custodial and Maintenance staff is not allowed to maintain the garden box areas.  Your maintenance plan must address:

  • A short-term plan to get the plants established.
  • A long-term plan for maintenance to include, but not limited to, weeding and plant pruning to BSD's satisfaction, removing and replacing overgrown plants, and removing debris off-site.
  • A long-term fiscal plan for items including, but not limited to, tools and replacement plants.