The garden at Anne Frank Elementary, Dallas Independent School District’s largest elementary school, was started in 1997 by teachers; and over the years, it has become a true gem.  It includes a gazebo for classes, a pond with fish and a waterfall, raised vegetable beds, an herb garden, a desert garden, a shade garden, compost bins, and numerous pollinator plants.

When Dallas County Master Gardeners became involved in 2012, they expanded and improved upon these “gardens within the garden” and obtained Monarch Waystation certification. The garden’s purpose is to help the multi-cultural student population gain an understanding of ecosystems, an appreciation for food origins and nutrition, and knowledge of plant and animal life cycles.

Teachers may sign up for master gardeners to assist with their garden lessons on Tuesday mornings, and classes come to the garden without the master gardeners the rest of the week. Master gardeners maintain the garden, with assistance from parents and outside groups such as middle and high school students, during weekly Tuesdays and a monthly Saturday garden workday. These are held all year, whether or not school is open, with some exceptions for scheduling conflicts and weather.