Project Overview

Gardening and Learning

Getting Started

Selecting a Site/Plotting

Design

Prepare, Plant & Maintain

Other Ideas

Evaluation

Glossary

Resources

Project Home Page

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Curriculum Objectives

Students will:  

	learn to apply their math skills while measuring an area of land and the distances between existing objects and plants;
	learn to apply their math skills while plotting measurements on paper and using conversions and scales;
	learn to apply their earth sciences skills in the selection of appropriate plant types and suitable soil types;
	learn to be creative with layout and design of garden space;
	learn to use plant materials based on and/or limited by a budget;
	learn how students can play a part in the environmental well-being of our state; and
	add new terms to their vocabulary.

Basic materials

	tape measure or yardstick
	pencil or pen
	a legal size pad of lined paper
	an area suitable for a garden
	plant list and plants
	budget
	tabloid-sized graph paper for easy transcription of field measurements to landscape drawing
	planting tools (see tools list)
	field journal (available free to Enviro-Explorers members)

Making your project a SUCCESS

For any classroom gardening project to be successful it must ultimately meet your curriculum goals. Look at your curriculum and decide which units would benefit from the hands-on experience of gardening. This might also lead you to a specific garden theme or size, such as a butterfly garden or a container garden.

Other elements that have helped projects be successful include: fully-engaging students in the process; a genuine interest by the teacher in the outcome of the project, as well as its continued upkeep; involvement of other adults (possibly PTO/PTA members, teachers and local experts); and a willingness to get hands dirty now and then.

Another valuable tip is to not bite off more than you can chew. Before planting, honestly evaluate how much time your class will have to spend in their garden. If your time is limited, you may find it necessary to choose low maintenance plants.

Avoid flowers that require regular deadheading to maintain constant bloom. Choose self-sowing plants or perennials so you have less planting to do each year. Incorporate ornamental trees and shrubs into your plan, which generally require less attention than flowers. Choose drought-tolerant plants or install an irrigation system that operates on a timer.  

Last updated:  May 14, 2002