Kody Hanner
This post may contain affiliate links where I earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Cultivating Year-Round Learning with a School Garden
School gardens are a powerful tool for education, offering hands-on learning in science, nutrition, and environmental stewardship. But what about schools with traditional academic calendars, where the bulk of the growing season falls during summer break? Fear not! With strategic planning and the right tools, schools can cultivate vibrant gardens throughout the school year, even when the weather turns cold.
Why a Year-Round Garden?
- Continuous Learning: A year-round garden provides consistent opportunities for students to engage with the natural world, observe plant growth, and learn about seasonal changes.
- Spring Plant Sales: Seed-starting in spring allows for plant sales, generating funds for the garden while providing students with entrepreneurial experience.
- Extending the Curriculum: Incorporating winter growing allows for lessons on cold-weather crops, seed starting, and the science of controlled environments.
- Community Engagement: A year-round garden can become a focal point for community involvement with workshops, volunteer days, and harvest festivals.
Tools for Year-Round Success:
- Greenhouses:
- A greenhouse is the ultimate tool for extending the growing season. Its controlled environment allows for year-round cultivation, protecting plants from frost, wind, and harsh weather.
- Consider a small, student-built greenhouse to maximize the learning experience. If that isn’t an option, consider purchasing or fundraising for one. Here is a variety of sizes and price tags.
- Greenhouses are perfect for starting seeds in late winter and growing cold-weather crops throughout the colder months.
- Cold Frames:
- Cold frames are simpler and more affordable than greenhouses. These low-lying structures provide a mini-greenhouse effect, protecting plants from light frost and extending the growing season into early spring and late fall.
- They are ideal for hardening off seedlings before transplanting them outdoors and for growing hardy greens like spinach and kale.
- Indoor Grow Lights:
- During short winter days, indoor grow lights provide the necessary light for seed starting and growing seedlings.
- LED grow lights are energy-efficient and provide the optimal light spectrum for plant growth.
- Indoor grow lights are essential for starting seeds for spring plant sales and for growing herbs and microgreens indoors.
- Raised Beds:
- Raised beds improve drainage and soil quality, making them ideal for year-round gardening.
- They are also easier to manage and maintain, especially for younger students.
- Raised beds make it easier to add cold frames.
- Composting System:
- A composting system provides nutrient-rich soil for the garden and teaches students about waste reduction and decomposition.
- Indoor composting systems, like worm bins, can be used year-round.
Planning for a Year-Round Garden:
- Crop Selection:
- Choose cold-hardy crops that thrive in your region, such as kale, spinach, carrots, and beets.
- Plan for succession planting to ensure a continuous harvest.
- Research crops that will sell well during a spring plant sale.
- Season Extension:
- Utilize greenhouses, cold frames, and row covers to protect plants from frost and extend the growing season.
- Start seeds indoors under grow lights in late winter.
- Soil Management:
- Regularly amend the soil with compost and organic matter to maintain fertility.
- Consider using cover crops to improve soil health during the off-season.
- Student Involvement:
- Involve students in all aspects of garden planning, planting, and maintenance.
- Integrate garden activities into the curriculum, connecting them to science, math, and language arts.
- Allow the students to manage the spring plant sale.
- Community Partnerships:
- Partner with local nurseries, garden centers, and farmers for resources and expertise.
- Invite community members to volunteer in the garden and participate in workshops.
Spring Plant Sales:
- Start seeds indoors under grow lights in late winter.
- Harden off seedlings in cold frames before the sale.
- Offer a variety of plants, including vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
- Involve students in all aspects of the sale, from planting and labeling to marketing and customer service.
By embracing year-round gardening, schools can create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that benefits students, the community, and the environment.