Maintenance

 Spring

• Pick up trash, sticks and fallen branches, including in the area above the boulders.
• Check for damage over the winter, including possible shifting of boulders.
• Does the drain need to be unclogged?
• Rearrange picnic tables and chairs for the public's enjoyment.
• Thin out leaves in area above boulders if plants are having trouble emerging.
• Digging ditches towards the drain may be necessary to dry out the low places.
• Mark, or rope off, any plantings in the bottom area so they won't be trampled.

Spring/summer/fall

• Weeding as necessary.  Since the area is shady, there won't be a lot of weeds.
• Pick up trash.
• Water plants if there's a severe drought.
• Removal of leaves in the fall may be necessary if the Outdoor Classroom is in use, or if there are plantings that get buried.

Preps for winter

• Put away or batten down any outdoor classroom materials.
• Stack picnic tables so they don't accumulate water.
• Consider closing both entrances with a rope and a sign "closed for winter." Probably there is no winter traffic, but there's potential danger and liability if the stairs remain open.

The issue of mulch

When the Outdoor Classroom was built, mulch was laid down in areas where foot traffic was expected.

But mulch can cause two problems.  When floods occur, the mulch floats around, fills rain gardens, and smothers freshly-planted plants.  It also floats off the areas where it's needed.

Mulch is also a problem when leaves are removed in fall.  Raking leaves will remove mulch.  Sucking up leaves with a blower would be a preferred method, but still may remove some mulch.

There is little need for mulch if a ground cover of wild ginger or Pennsylvania sedge is planted, plus flag stones in area of heavy traffic.

Shows accumulated leaves in fall.