Gardening with my students is one of my all time favorite things to do! Its an academic experience, but it's also good for our souls! Here's why I think school gardens are so beneficial.
1) It requires following directions & teamwork.
2) Gardening teaches us patience and diligence.
3) We learn about life cycles and plant needs.
4) It gets us outdoors when we might feel a little stir crazy.
5)) It's fun to eat fresh food from our garden & teaches sustainability.
6) We can share our excess veggies & herbs with others!
Simple seeds aren't too pricey but when you start thinking about soil, watering cans, shoves/spades, gloves, and pots or beds, the costs can add up. Here are some ways I've made gardening possible with the help of others:
1) Write a Donors Choose project!
In my school garden project, I requested an adult shovel, adult rake, seeds for salsa fixings, class set of kid gloves, kid shovels, hose and nozzle, pruning sheers, and a set of knives and cutting boards for harvesting and sampling! I know there are some schools that don't allow teachers to use Donors Choose. In that situation, I would suggest you write a school garden grant. There are several big businesses that offer them- including Walmart.
2) Hit up the Dollar Tree!
I know I've mentioned this before, but Dollar Tree is such an affordable way of making experiences possible for your kiddos. This past spring they were selling little plastic pots that were three for $1. They also sell watering cans and seeds! What more could you need to make your school garden project come to life?
3) Ask for donations!
The parents in my room have been generous enough to send in seeds & soil. But, if you work at a school with families who may not be able to afford that, check with Home Depot, Lowes, or Pikes Nursery. Home Depot donated 6 bags of potting soil to me and all I had to do was ASK!
4) Check with your Science or STEM lab teacher!
These adorable watering cans came from our science lab supplies. I was able to use a few during the spring and then return them when I was done! The science lab was also able to give me pebbles for the bottom of our pots so we didn't lose all of our soil when we watered our plants. If you can't swing a garden on your own, reach out to your garden club, science lab teacher, or PTA and inquire about how to make a school garden as a group!
Check out all the fun & success we've had. I should also say I DO NOT HAVE A GREEN THUMB! I'm notorious for killing my own house plants. However, if I can produce enough to make gardening a fun, memorable, and educational experience for my students... you can too! Can't wait to see your school gardening projects coming to life!
We planted our marigolds inside and left them on a couple lap desks by the window. It worked great. Sometimes I'd put them outside over the weekend to get them some extra sunshine and rain!
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