3 Things You Need to Create a Kid-Friendly School Garden

School gardens are more than just beautifying a space. They are an opportunity to teach children about the natural world, and a chance to enhance student education through interactive learning. It’s also a way to highlight sustainability efforts and teach the importance of caring for Planet Earth. And, of course, it can also motivate children to try new foods including herbs, vegetables, and other types of produce. 

Even if you’re well-versed in gardening, there are certain requirements for a school garden that you may not have thought about. Planting in your backyard where you have 100% control is different from a shared space with administrators, teachers, and children. That said, before breaking ground in a schoolyard, there are a few things you’ll want to consider ahead of time. Read on for three top kid-friendly school garden tips. 

1. Evaluate Your Space

The first step in designing a kid-friendly garden is to know what you’re working with. When looking for where to plant your garden, consider what area is accessible to most people. You want both children and teachers to access the space easily. Courtyards, school yards, vacant lots, and communal spaces are all fair game. A garden near commercial playground equipment, for instance, can encourage little ones to look at their plant’s progress over time.  

You’ll also want to look at the space in terms of how the plants will thrive. Plenty of sunlight and accessible water are important. A shaded area may seem like a good idea, but the plants may not flourish as much as they would in a sunny spot. A nearby garden hose can also be helpful, especially for little ones who may not have the manpower to carry bucketfuls of water!

Being that it’s a school garden, you’ll also want to be mindful of any potential threats. The selected space is gated off or fenced in to prevent others from snagging your garden bounty. Also, avoid planting in an area that is near a parking lot or other busy road where cars frequent. Keeping children safe should remain top of mind as you’re evaluating potential garden locations. 

2. Collaborate on the Design 

For the school garden to feel like a communal effort, you’ll want to get as many people involved as possible. Invite school administrators as well as teachers and PTA advocates to collaborate on what they think will be the most impactful. A first-grade teacher may have an idea for a butterfly garden, for example, to correspond with learning about the lifecycle of certain insects. At the same time, parents from the PTA may want to try to incorporate healthier eating and ask for more vegetables to be planted. 

At this stage of the planning process, all ideas are welcome! Encouraging everyone to participate in the brainstorming process is a great way to get their buy-in. Doing so will help you best understand the needs and wants of the community and those who will be championing the garden for years to come. 

If this is the school’s first garden, it’s best to think big but start small. A lavish garden requires a lot of upkeep which can be challenging to those just experimenting with their green thumbs. Focusing on just a few hardy and easy-to-grow plants and gradually expanding will allow you to gain confidence over time. You’ll learn more about the soil and the space’s needs over time as well. 

3. Choose Low-Maintenance, Perennial Plants 

While everyone may have the best of intentions, school gardens can easily be neglected. Unfortunately, the traditional school calendar year with summer break doesn’t correspond to the growing season. Cucumbers, melons, eggplant, and zucchini are all harvested when school may not be in session. 

That’s why you may want to consider choosing low-maintenance and perennial plants that will return year after year. Easy-to-care for shrubs, vines, and some flowers will last throughout the year and don’t require a lot of TLC. Sunflowers, for instance, are a friendly site for any garden and it can be fun to watch them grow during the season. 

Many herbs like lavender, chives, lemon balm, rosemary, thyme, and oregano are considered perennials. These types of plants can be used in cooking and also smell good. Having a variety of plants that are fun to see, touch, smell, and taste will light up a kid’s senses and add to the educational experience. 

If you want to plant vegetables, think about selecting ones that can be eaten raw. Carrots, peas, leafy greens, and tomatoes are edible on the spot, meaning children may be more enticed to try them as opposed to eggplant or cabbage. 

Tips and Takeaways

A school garden is as much an educational opportunity as it is a way to liven up a space. Picking the right plot of land, collaborating on the design, and choosing easy-to-grow plants will set you up for success. 

Remember that gardens are meant to evolve. If something doesn’t work out in one year, don’t fret! It’s a teachable moment to show children that sometimes plants need even more care than what you are currently providing. Try a new plant next season and see if it does any better in the same space. You may just be as surprised as the school children to watch your harvest grow and grow year after year.