School gardens are not new; growing food at schools started at least a century ago. School farming provides food, of course, but also brings many benefits to every aspect of education, including:
- Science: Gardens give endless opportunities for scientific observation, including how seeds sprout, why they need sun and water, how pollinators work, decomposition, plant identification, weather, climate, and ecosystems.
- Math: Creative teachers can incorporate math by measuring plant growth, counting and sorting flowers and fruits, graphing weather or growth trends, and mixing and measuring plant food.
- Language: Reading and writing about plants and gardening strengthen reading comprehension, spelling, and composition skills.
- Art: Garden journals bring opportunities for creativity and fun.
- Health and physical education: Gardening promotes exercise, fine motor control, and better nutrition. Even picky eaters will often try things they helped grow.
- Life skills: Gardening teaches kids responsibility, teamwork, and self-confidence when they realize their work brings results. They also learn to acknowledge the work of farmers and our connection with the natural world.
With all these benefits, creating a school garden is a worthy goal. The good news is that gardens are customizable to your climate, space, and abilities. Let's explore different ways to create a community garden at school.
Assessing Your Garden Space
The first step in creating a school garden is gauging available space. There's no need for a massive plot of land; with some ingenuity, a garden of any size brings students all the benefits of school farming.
Inside the classroom: Even with no outdoor space, a small classroom garden is possible using grow lights. These lights are a necessary addition to sunlight for indoor gardening because the intensity of natural light is lowered inside. Grow lights make indoor gardens possible regardless of space, climate, building positioning, and seasonal changes in daylight.
Outside, but with little space available: Schools without open green space can create a garden using various pots and tubs. While many crops are considered ideal for containers, just about anything will work given the right-sized pot. Container gardening allows the use of any available area of the school grounds. Container gardening also controls soil quality and weeds while making plants accessible to all ages and physical abilities.
The biggest drawback to container gardening is the need for frequent watering and fertilizer. Containers will dry out long before a raised bed or garden plot will, leaving plants at risk, and nutrients in a pot are quickly depleted. A regular feeding schedule and constant watering volunteers, self-watering containers, or drip irrigation systems can solve these pitfalls.
Raised beds: Schools with more property can plan more extensive gardens but don't feel limited to traditional plots. Raised beds are often a superior choice for gardening with children. They take time and money to build, but in the long run, they allow more focus on the pleasures of gardening. Raised beds reduce weed growth, allow for control over soil composition, keep plants safe from trampling feet, and lengthen the growing season because the soil warms up faster.
No matter which type of garden your school has, there are many ways to help with costs. Local hardware stores or botanic gardens may be willing to sponsor the garden and donate supplies. Community fundraisers, the PTA, parent volunteers, or federal and community grants can also assist. Checking with local community gardens, vocational schools, or colleges can bring advice, materials, and building expertise to your school garden; don't be afraid to ask for help.
Banish Contaminants in Water and Soil
If a school garden plot is tilled into the ground, soil testing is an important consideration. Lead and other contaminants are dangerous; if present, raised beds or containers are advisable to allow for quality control. Contact the local health department, land-grant university, or Cooperative Extension office for testing and soil safety questions.
Water safety is also a concern if watering is from a well, lake, or pond. Testing should always be performed to check for bacteria, nitrates, heavy metals, and other pollutants. Municipal water is safe to use, and rain barrels reduce costs and are a great lesson in water conservation.
Considering Climate
The region in which your school resides affects your garden plan, but it is also a chance to teach about how climate is related to crops and how agriculture shapes commerce in our global economy. The simplest school gardens can start with kid-friendly plants that are quick and easy to grow, such as a salad garden, sunflowers, herbs, and beans. These plants work whether you are gardening indoors or have a short growing season. The winter school months can be used for planning, starting seeds, or growing cold-weather crops like kale, carrots, and broccoli.
Once a school garden initiative is established, scheduling volunteers to work in the garden through the summer lets you nurture high-yield fruits and vegetables. Ambitious gardens could fundraise for cold frames, greenhouse enclosures, or row covers to extend the growing season. But even for the most straightforward school garden projects, putting the garden to bed till the next growing season is an important lesson. Preventing erosion and soil damage, mulching to restore nutrients, and learning how insects and fungi survive the winter cold are all opportunities for learning in the garden.
Activities To Connect Kids With Food
There are many jobs to do in a garden, and a school community invested in its success will reap the rewards. Establishing clear rules and routines keeps students interested while they work and learn, and finding ways for students to take on responsibilities boosts confidence and keeps them committed to caring for the garden. Best of all, when kids plant, grow and harvest food, they gain respect for the natural world and the interconnectedness of our food supply.
Sprouting Seeds
While seeds can be planted directly in the garden, starting them inside allows young gardeners to begin while the weather is still cold. Young children do best with very large seeds, such as sunflowers, peas, and beans, while older kids will be able to plant smaller seeds.
Quick results are best for children, so planting fast-germinating seeds will encourage their efforts.
Whether you plant in the garden or sprout seeds indoors, read directions for plant spacing and how many seeds should be planted per hole. A sunny window, grow lights, and regular watering (be careful not to drown delicate seedlings, though!) are all you'll need for the first few weeks.
Transplanting
When seeds grow into small plants, the fun of transplanting is almost at hand. Still, hardening off is recommended before finding a home in your garden. This gradual process lets delicate seedlings get used to the great outdoors while avoiding shock to the plants. Hardening off involves bringing plants outside for a few hours each day in a sheltered spot but gradually increasing time in direct sun and wind. It's worth the effort because, in a week or so, the plants become strong enough to be left out overnight and then planted, ensuring robust growth and a sound root system.
Children usually love transplanting because they finally get to dig and get their hands dirty. Clear handling directions are essential to avoid breaking the stems. Show students how to gently squeeze the pot before carefully turning it upside down; putting the stem between the index and middle fingers lets the plant drop right into their hand.
The root ball will look knotted and must be carefully loosened before placing into the prepared hole. Dig holes deep enough for the root ball only and do not cover the stem. Pat the soil firmly over the seedling and water gently but thoroughly, and the garden is ready to grow.
Watering
Kids love watering plants, but guiding them is crucial because overwatering can encourage disease or even kill plants. Plants absorb water at the roots, not through their leaves, so experienced gardeners water the base of the plant rather than pour it over the tops. Several strategies keep the garden growing while conserving water, including:
- Take note of weather forecasts: Don't water if it's going to rain.
- Watering time: Water as early as possible; evaporation in the intense sun keeps moisture from the plant roots, but watering late in the day risks diseases if the water sits on leaves.
- Soil type: Sandy soil dries out faster than clay soil, but adding compost improves the ability to retain water.
- Amount of water: Plants need moisture down in the roots, so watering thoroughly less often brings better results. If water pools or runs off, a break is a good idea.
- Placement and plant choice: Don't try to grow things meant for a different climate, and put plants of similar watering needs together.
Harvesting
Harvesting is the gardener's reward, and students will love picking and eating the produce they helped grow. A large school garden might harvest throughout the year, while smaller gardens should choose fast-growing crops that satisfy impatient children. Seed packets show how long a plant takes to mature, and sprouting seeds inside during cold weather will make their growing season seem shorter to kids.
Lettuce, spinach, kale, beans, peas, carrots, squash, beets, radishes, and cucumbers are relatively fast-growing plants. For a continuous harvest, start new crops in two-week increments. If garden space is tight, alternating fast-growth crops like lettuce with slower plants like tomatoes uses space efficiently while keeping the garden constantly green.
Always ensure gardeners follow food safety rules during harvesting, including hand-washing, cleaning produce before tasting, and safely storing uneaten food.
Start Your School Garden Today
Creating a school garden will expand students' understanding of the natural world, encourage healthy habits, and teach responsibility while strengthening your school community and having fun. The scale of the garden doesn't matter; getting hands dirty and teaching life lessons is the key.