Unfortunately that has been my experience at our local primary/infants school @Fire. Staff (but usually just one or two) get all enthusiastic to start with but never follow through with the boring maintenance jobs. I was involved as as garden club member in the design and planting of a fairly large memorial garden for a child who died in tragic circumstances. Within a year I was on my own as the nearest local, which I didn't mind as I was fitter then. I did all the maintenance for the next five years, with a little help from the groundsman. The staff changed, no parents wanted to volunteer and I finally gave up last year. I believe nobody's looking after the garden at the moment.
So be careful in what you plan and prepare to be disappointed.
I have been in quite a few community garden projects, and yes, as I say, that is the worry. But this time, the project is at the specific request of the school. It's their decision how they manage it. They do have a long standing area in another part of the grounds where children grow herbs, so there is some history of commitment and experience in the current staff.
I think that if the small, simple planter doubles as a seat, it will be at least have a functional purpose beside planting, and if people sit by it, it might prompt them to keep it planted. Also, if we keep the planting simple, future people can easily adapt it. It could, in the future, be used to put a fairy garden or as a site for art projects, herbs, even a solar water feature at a push. In the end, it's only a planter. So if they use it for a few years and enjoy it, it will be worth it and an improvement.
We could put in a load of spring and summer bulbs and drought tolerant plants like linaria. We haven't made decisions about planting yet.
... There is a similar situation with some of the pavement planting spots we have locally. Some people start them and move on or get bored. But it's only a matter of ten mins to pull the planting out and compost it or give it away. It's nice for kids to know that if they start a fairy garden on the street, that it's no great commitment. They plant some winter iris and some forgetmenots; easy enough to clear away.
With the school planter, it might be good to mention to staff that they could fit a wooden piece into the centre of the bed, in case they don't want to use it as a planter any more. Or have a temporary break.
🧐 🤔
Sometimes we just have to take a punt on an idea. I take the view that
something that gives people pleasure for a year and stops, can be very
worth doing. It doesn't have to be a twenty year triumph to be measured as
a success, depending on what the goals are.
I've been planting up the street tree bed outside my house for six years and even if I pull things out and call it a day, it's been a great thing to try, I've learnt a lot, it's been a conversation piece to meet neighbours and the local kids love it. Even for a year, it would have been worth a punt.
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Staff (but usually just one or two) get all enthusiastic to start with but never follow through with the boring maintenance jobs. I was involved as as garden club member in the design and planting of a fairly large memorial garden for a child who died in tragic circumstances. Within a year I was on my own as the nearest local, which I didn't mind as I was fitter then. I did all the maintenance for the next five years, with a little help from the groundsman. The staff changed, no parents wanted to volunteer and I finally gave up last year. I believe nobody's looking after the garden at the moment.
So be careful in what you plan and prepare to be disappointed.
🧐 🤔