Why Grow Vegetables?

Do your pupils know where their food originally comes from?

If the answer is no, a vegetable plot in a school garden may well help to rectify this. It will also serve as an excellent teaching resource and provide great enjoyment and satisfaction. Food growing can teach children about life cycles (of the vegetables and the creatures attracted to the garden), soil, nutrition and science.

A vegetable plot can raise children’s awareness of the seasonal nature and the variety of food. A food growing project should be part of a school’s development plan and staff, pupils, parents and even local residents can be involved.

Starting a School Garden

Get together with other teachers and gather a support team, involving not only school officials, but also local organisations, parents and children. Call on local gardeners to help you get started, once permission is granted by the school. The garden site should be close to the classroom with an ample water supply. It should also receive at least six hours of sun each day. With this in mind, avoid heavily shaded areas or nearby trees. Since some schools have limited space, especially those in the city, raised beds or containers offer a great solution.

Ideas for School Gardens

Soil is important. Encourage kids to research the best types of soil for growing different plants. Take kids on a plant and soil safari in the garden or on a nature trail. Divide them in groups and give each group a clear container or jar, magnifying glass, paper and pencils. Have them take turns observing the different plants and soil types. Encourage them to collect samples for further studying, recording all observations. Teach them about the breakdown and recycling of organic materials with compost.

Have them create and maintain their own compost pile, preferably near the garden and out of view from other areas. The compost bin should be placed on the bare soil or in a grassy area to encourage earthworm activity. Also, choose a site that is sunny for quicker decomposition. Use ordinary household materials, such as food scraps (no meat or bones), and garden waste. Encourage the kids to bring some of these from home as well.

When deciding what to grow, consider a theme for the school garden. For instance, an herb garden, vegetable garden, wildlife garden, alphabet garden, or whatever you can think of. This is also a great way to get kids interested and actively involved in the initial planning stages of the garden. Supply seed catalogues and other gardening resources and allow kids to research their plants. Once you have determined where and what to grow, create a planting calendar and let kids draw pictures of the garden at various stages of development.

Have them create plant labels for easy identification. When it comes to garden maintenance, plan class time for kids to tend to the garden and have them take turns. Get your school growing The educational benefits are endless. Kids will learn the ins and outs of plant growth and development and important social skills and history, along with improving vocabulary and maths.

Even better, kids will learn about food and nutrition, something they can carry and use throughout their lifetime.

Fun Activities

Have the kids create a planting calendar and a diary. Encourage them to write about and illustrate the garden during various stages of development and changing seasons. Have them make special notes about weather conditions—cloudy, sunny, windy, rainy, hot, cold, etc. This is a great way for kids to study the seasons as the garden grows.

Did You Know?

School gardens can be used as fundraisers. Sell those extra plants and produce. Invite others to the school to purchase fresh produce and other plants to raise money for the school. Likewise, use some for making special school meals or send some home with the kids to share with family and friends.