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SINGAPORE: A school corridor might not seem like a place for farming, but at Bukit View Primary School, unused space has been transformed into rows of thriving leafy greens.<\/p>\n
The vegetables and herbs \u2013 including romaine lettuce and thyme \u2013 grown in a vertical garden, can be harvested every three weeks.<\/p>\n
Such micro-gardens are becoming more common in Singapore, found in places such as schools, companies and community spaces.<\/p>\n
At the school in Bukit Batok, around 220 Primary 4 students take turns to manage the garden. They are involved in every step, from preparing seedlings and transplanting vegetables to harvesting them.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope to see more urban farms in our school, as this way we can have more plants and also eat them. And I hope we can, next time, (grow) more of these plants around our school,\u201d said student Valen Tan.<\/p>\n
Supporting them is a group of \u201csilver farmers\u201d \u2013 seniors from a nearby active ageing centre. Five of them are assigned every week to guide the students and help maintain the farm.<\/p>\n
The school\u2019s principal Teo Eng Hui said the partnership helps address the challenge of keeping the farm running outside term time.<\/p>\n
\u201cSchool holidays (are) always a tricky part in school gardens,\u201d Ms Teo added.<\/p>\n
Alongside seniors, the school also works with parents to help maintain the garden during school holidays.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n