Simple Ways to Help Out In a School Garden

There are many reasons to get involved with school gardening. Fruits and vegetables grown in a school garden give students the chance to taste test new foods. Harvested produce can also be used in cafeterias, sent home, or donated to a local food pantry.  Gardening creates a fun and exciting way for people of all ages to learn about the environment and how plants grow. Environmental science is an important part of youth education.

In recent years, school gardens have become more popular from Pre-K to 12th grade. Educators enjoy the hands-on approach school gardens offer for teaching students science, math, language arts, and more. Additionally, school gardening has shown to help strengthen school communities and improve the learning experience for many students. If you are new to gardening or have a growing interest to help out, here are simple steps anyone can take to help the local school community with gardening.

• Ask your child! If you are a parent, the easiest way to learn about what is going on at your child’s school is through them. Ask questions about their interest in plant science, ecosystems, and gardening. These are great topics to bring up during meals.  
• Reach out to principals, asst. principals, teachers and staff. The principal and assistant principal are able to connect you to the right person. Asking the principal is an easy way to learn more. Contacting science teachers, food service, or maybe an afterschool program are also great contacts to learn more about gardening at school.. These leaders may enjoy hearing about your interest in school gardening.
• School garden programs often look for volunteers to help with routine care. Caring for the garden can be in the form of watering plants, weeding, and harvesting. These tasks are easy, take little time to do and are greatly appreciated by teachers and staff.
• Extra support may be needed when school is not in session. Offering to check on the garden during weekends, holiday breaks, and time off is extremely helpful. Check school policies for visiting the school after hours. Access to water and equipment may require approval from maintenance and school leaders.
• Connect with the local University of Maryland Extension office. Educators from Extension are able to answer questions, connect you with Master Gardeners, 4H youth programs, nutrition educators, and local farmers. Extension offers free information and resources to help create a successful school garden program.

For more information on gardening with FSNE, resources, and getting connected with a local school garden. Visit the School Gardens page on our teacher website.