Page 130 - School Garden Development Guide - 4th Edition

The most severe damage during a windstorm is caused by wind
borne debris flying into a home or other structure. It is important
for the District to be a good neighbor and to be sure that items
on the school campus do not damage neighboring homes or
businesses. Please note, small rocks can become missiles and
therefore cannot be incorporated into school gardens.

Buried Utilities
There are numerous buried utilities on a school site. Digging more
than six inches deep may encounter buried utilities, particularly
if they were not installed per plan. Please be advised that any
excavation over six inches in depth is also regulated under
OSHA Trench Safety Regulations, a Federal law and just another
important reason to involve your Area Manager at the beginning
of the project. All buried utilities must be located prior to digging
or driving stakes into the ground. Digging into a buried utility can
lead to death, injury, or having to close a school. As a general rule of
thumb, reach out to your Area Manager before you do any digging!

Wood
Generally speaking, the use of wood in South Florida is not a good
option for maintenance and safety reasons. Whenever possible,
please choose sustainable forest products. Please keep the
following requirements in mind when choosing wood:
• Any free standing wood structure that is larger than a
wood picnic table must be at least 60 feet away from
school buildings.
• Pressure treated wood may not be used in edible gardens, to
build raised beds or for any ground use.
• Non-pressure treated, rot-resistant wood recommendations
are: Cedar, redwood, juniper, and black locust. Raised garden
beds should avoid stained or painted wood (and the use of
tires is prohibited).

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130 School Garden Development Guide - 4 Edition