As a home educating family we are more on a structure side, but I always try to look for opportunities to include fun homeschool projects into our homeschool routines. And gardening with kids is a fantastic way to incorporate hands-on learning into home education. This project-based learning approach offers lots of benefits and covers a wide range of subjects, making it a holistic educational experience.
But not just this! Gardening is such a good family bonding activity and it will help kids (and us grown-ups too) to learn how to live a sustainable living. Growing you own food, while learning about the processes of nature is one of the most rewarding family project! In our family, Daddy works long hours and in spring, summer and autumn gardening offers great opportunity to spend quality time together with kids.
Benefits of Gardening with Kids
And how gardening can be a fruitful (ha,ha…) addition to your homeschooling journey (or family quality time)?
- Taking care of plants teaches children about responsibility and the importance of patience as they wait for their plants to grow and bear fruit.
- Gardening encourages outdoor activity, which is great for physical and mental health. It also promotes healthy eating habits as children are more likely to eat vegetables they’ve grown themselves. Have you heard about children asking for more kale? No? Well, my kids were not keen either, until we had so much kale in the garden that I’ve started making Kale Crisps and adding them on pizzas (yes, that’s right – on pizzas!) And they asked for more Kale Crisps J
- Through gardening, children learn about ecosystems, sustainability, and the importance of caring for the environment.
- Did I mention creativity? Setting and planning gardens with all the veggies, fruits and flowers is an Art!
- And it is an interactive hand-on activity that engages children physically and mentally. It helps them understand scientific concepts better by applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Gardening Curriculum
So, what subjects you can cover through gardening?
Science: Learn about plant biology, what do they need to grow, photosynthesis, ecosystems, weather patterns, and soil composition. You can conduct experiments to see how different conditions affect plant growth, observe the parts of the plant and its life cycle.
Mathematics: Measure garden plots, count seeds and track growth (sunflowers are our favourite!). You can also involve budgeting for garden supplies and estimating the cost savings of growing your own produce.
Geography: Study the origins of different plants, climates, and how weather affects gardening.
Literature: Read gardening books and stories about plants and nature. Write nature journal entries about the gardening experience and observations.
Art: Draw or paint your garden and its inhabitants. Create labels and signs for your plants.
Nutrition: Discuss the nutritional benefits of the fruits and vegetables you grow. Plan and prepare meals using your garden produce.
So let’s get started!
The Gardening Process
Planning: Start by planning your garden. Decide what you want to plant and where. Research the best plants for your climate and soil type.
Now we experiment a lot: beetroots, peas, carrots, strawberries, spring onions, even corn this year! But at the times when our garden space was tiny, we started with tomatoes and few herbs like parsley, dill and mint. One year we have only planted peppers inside on the windowsill and they grew just lovely. Now there are years when some vegetables grow in abundance and years when the same vegetables seem to be always unhappy and miserable. So don’t despair, plant different seeds and observe, what works best. You can focus on kitchen herbs only,
Preparation: Prepare your garden space by clearing weeds, tilling the soil, and adding compost or fertilizer to enrich the soil.
It’s always a good idea to make your own compost! This is not only an eco-friendly practice but also a simple and effective way to reduce waste while enriching your garden soil. And what child wouldn’t want to get their hands dirty?
- Choose a Composting Bin: You can use a dedicated composting bin from any garden center, or create a compost pile in your garden. Use a small container under your kitchen counter for collecting kitchen scraps before transferring them to a larger bin outside. Children are perfectly capable of doing this chore even if they moan…
- Balance Green and Brown Materials: Green materials (nitrogen-rich) include kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and fresh weeds. Brown materials (carbon-rich) include dry leaves, straw, branches. Aim for a good balance between these two types for efficient composting.
- Turn the Compost: Every few weeks, turn your compost with a pitchfork or shovel. Turning helps aerate the compost, speeding up the decomposition process.
- Be Patient: Composting takes time. Depending on the size of your compost pile and the environmental conditions, it may take a few weeks to several months for your compost to be ready. Patience is key.
Planting: Show your children how to plant seeds or seedlings. We start with planting seeds in the planters and when they become stronger seedlings replanting them into prepared soil. Once months are warmer we plant some some seeds straight into a soil. But be careful and watch for slugs and snails that love the yummy greens.
Maintenance: Watering, weeding, and monitoring plant growth are ongoing tasks. This teaches children about the care plants need to thrive. I must say that watering is always a favourite with my kids! As Pippi Longstocking once said: why would a little rain stop me from having fun watering my plants? Well, isn’t that true?
Harvesting: This is a rewarding experience and a great way to see the results of their hard work.
Conclusion
Incorporating gardening into your homeschooling curriculum not only makes learning fun and engaging but also instills essential life skills and values in your children. It’s a dynamic way to cover a broad range of subjects and inspiring a love for nature and healthy living. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your gardening tools, and embark on this educational adventure with your children! It’s never too late!
If you like the idea of gardening but feel a little overwhelmed by all the work why don’t you try to grow one simple plant in the pot? Like this avocado here!
