School Eco Gardens
Offering children the chance to grow their own food – a skill that will last them forever. With so many skills to learn and links to your national curriculum.
Does your school need one?
Of course they do! School gardens are a great way to provide educational opportunities for young children and can help them to build an appreciation for the food they eat and the wonders of the world they live in. Whether you are planning to start a new garden at a school or you want to provide support for an existing garden, we have collected some tips to help you create a stimulating environment for your young ones.
We want to help support all local schools we can and we would look to help with advice, seeds and items without profit. So feel free to contact us and we’ll see if we can help and how best to get you started.
Some Plants to Grow and Explore in Your School Garden
Pumpkins
You can dissect all parts; seeds, fruit and flowers, taste great and can be the centre piece for Halloween!
Beans
They are reliable growers, look great when they flower and theres loads to choose from
Herbs
Students can explore the garden using their senses. You could explore how herbs have been used in medicine through the years.
Basil, Tomato, Onion
You can grow the ingredients for pizza and make your own!
Selling the Idea to Your School
If you don’t already have a school garden then you may need to get permission from your school management, which means persuading them that it is a good idea. So, what are the reasons why your school should have its own garden? Here are some problems facing our young people and some ways a school garden can help:
- The percentage of children who suffer from obesity is on the rise.
- With the current financial situation there are increasing numbers of children who do not have access to varied nutritious food.
- Less than 5% of children have sufficient amounts of fruit and veg in their diet.
- Children who grow their own food are likely to eat a wider variety of food, and eat a healthier diet.
- The good habits that children develop while they are young are likely to follow them into adulthood.
- Children with access to healthy food are likely to be healthier.
Planning your own garden
Once you have your school on board you will need to select a location for your garden. If you have a number of suitable locations on your site, then it is worth testing the soil before you make a final decision. Selecting the best soil will make the whole process much easier. As well as soil remember to think about sunlight, and easy access to water.
If you don’t have any suitable areas you could opt to grow you plants in raised beds or containers, so don’t feel limited by a lack of green space.
Once you have picked your location you will need to get some supplies in. Seed catalogues are great for browsing through and will give you a lot of information when it comes to choosing your plants. As well as your seeds you will need to ensure that you have enough tools so that the whole of your school group can get involved. You may also want to invest in some wire brushes to keep your tools clean and in good condition.
Find out how we can help today
We want to help! We are passionate about gardening and growing your own produce. So any help you need please get in touch.