Young Minds Love to Grow!

by Ryane Daniels October 27, 2023

Creating hands-on and fun ways to learn about the benefits of gardening with preschoolers has been a true joy to be a part of and watch unfold. Watching young minds explore the sights, sounds, and beauty of the outdoors in an urban community, helping everyone learn how to take care of the space, and watching the kids and learn how things grow shows how everyone can learn the benefits of gardening when you know what to grow during each season with the right set-up and timing.

Building school gardens are also a great way for young children to find joy in the present and build deeper curiosity, awareness, and connection with themselves, others, and the environment around them. We partnered with Dr. Ashley Wiley-Johnson, Director of the Center for Enriched Education, after she led & kicked off this journey over the past year, and we've found ways to (1) enhance their creativity, curiosity, and learning through hands-on & engaging activities, (2) equip teachers, and children, with the skills to learn how to grow an abundant and thriving green spaces year-round, and (3) to build community and promote parent involvement. After a fun and exciting period of growth during the recent spring & summer season, the kids were able to pick their own tomatoes, strawberries, and carrots, water their plants, and learn the benefits of growing outdoors.

(Image: Mini-herb garden for kids to reach the flowers and smell what's growing around them)

(Image: We found pollinator-friendly flowers at a local nursery and explored what was ready for transplanting this Fall)

(Image: the flowers are ready to grow in their new home!)

(Image: Garden kit giveaway! Each young scholar was given a kit with their own garden supplies so they can play & learn in the space)

Seeing how so much food they were able to tend and watch grow over the past spring and summer season, we were excited to think through how to keep the garden growing year-round and invite more ways for the preschoolers to learn & explore other garden plots on the property. We met several times to discuss how to refresh the space and design by:

Planting native flowers and plants that invite birds, bees, monarch butterflies, and other pollinators and continue to grow throughout the seasons
Creating a seasonal plan & planting guide for growing herbs, flowers, and fruits & veggies year-round
Making kid-friendly garden kits for helping the kids tend to the space during class time
Create hands-on ways for boosting STEAM & gardening skills through activities & exploration
Keeping plants safe, growing, and thriving in a pest-free environment and during the warmer seasons

As a garden consulting service, I am actively seeking more ways to work with our local community to support & learn more about how they can build gardens at their home, business, or school. During a 1-hour consult we help you learn the best way to set up your garden and what to plant each month of our growing seasons. Spots are limited as we wrap the end of 2023, so book here to schedule your session with me. I can't wait to work with you!