BEDFORD — What used to be green space behind Riddle Brook Elementary School has become an outdoor classroom for students, as the school's garden project is now complete and ready for student learning.

Right now, the garden, designed by Northland Design of Amherst, is a blank slate of sorts, said Assistant Principal Matt Munsey, though some herbs and flowers have already been planted.

The garden will give students the ability to bring what they learn in the classroom and apply it in the garden, Munsey said.

“It will really be how teachers want to use it,” Munsey said. “It's hands-on and exploratory — the hands-on piece is big.”

Each grade level will have a theme incorporated into the garden, based on grade level curriculum.

Kindergartners will learn the basics of planting from seed, first graders will be able to observe trees throughout the four seasons, third graders will study bat houses and plant a Native American garden of corn, squash and beans, and fourth graders will be able to build a weather station.

Second graders will have a unique experience, as they study the migration of butterflies, said teacher Kim Blaine.

The front of the school contains a large amount of milkweed, which is a favorite of monarch butterflies. Students currently tag the butterflies they raise from caterpillars at the Riddle Brook “Way Station” for the University of Kansas, Blaine said, so they can study the migratory routes of the monarchs.

The garden will contain nectar-producing flowers to attract more butterflies.

“The butterflies can stop at our garden on their way to migrate to Mexico,” Blaine said.

Other groups are also making contributions to the garden, with an Eagle Scout building and donating picnic tables, and bird feeders maintained by the Girls Exploring Math and Science club at the school.

“The idea is to get them to see how many things you can do in a garden,” Munsey said. “It's really interactive.”

Claudia Everest, the landscape designer on the project, was impressed with how her designs came to life.

“It's wonderful,” she said. “You don't know when you hand it over if it's going to change.”

Students may not appreciate its geometric forms, walking paths that comply with ADA guidelines, and the curriculum pieces that tie it all together, but Munsey said he is sure students will get a lot out of working in the garden.

“What was just an area of grass was made nicer and beautified, and the kids will really enjoy it,” he said.

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Kathy Remillard may be reached at kremillard@newstote.com.