When the days get shorter and the weather turns cold, classrooms can start to feel a little dim and dreary. Students may be less energized, and as a teacher, you’re juggling the challenge of keeping them engaged while also building a strong sense of community.

But here’s the good news: the fall and...

Every fall, you can see it happening everywhere: gardens being cleared out, beds stripped bare, soil exposed, and the growing season officially “closed.” For many teachers managing school gardens, this feels like the natural next step once cooler weather arrives.

But here’s the truth: closing your ...

Designing a school garden can be one of the most powerful educational experiences you bring to your students. A well-designed garden isn’t just a place to grow food, it’s a living classroom, a hands-on science lab, and a hub for community connection.

But here’s the catch: design matters.

Without i...

When most people think of school gardens, they picture sunny spring days and lush summer plants. But what about fall? Can you really keep gardening alive in your classroom when temperatures drop and outdoor spaces are no longer an option?

The answer is a big YES! Fall and winter are often overlooke...

Starting a school garden sounds exciting until you realize how overwhelming it can feel. Where do you put it? Who takes care of it? How do you fit gardening into an already packed curriculum? And what about summer break when no one is around to water or weed?

For many teachers, these questions are ...

If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you’ve probably heard me say it over and over:

“Growing a school garden is easy.”

But if you’ve tried growing one yourself, or watched other teachers or parents try, you may have seen gardens become overgrown, abandoned, or quietly dismantled...

For years, I’ve supported elementary and middle school teachers with step-by-step guidance for bringing gardens into their classrooms. I’ve offered done-for-you lesson plans, curated seeds lists, planting calendars, and a full scope of curriculum-connected activities. It’s what my Oasis program seri...

If you’ve ever tried to grow a school garden through a lunchtime club or after-school green team, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s one of the most common approaches teachers take when trying to bring gardening into schools.

It’s also, unfortunately, one of the least effective.

As someone who’s work...

If you're an educator who’s ever thought “I’d love to teach my students how to grow food, but we don’t have a school garden”, this blog is for you.

Because here's the truth:
You don't need a single square inch of outdoor space to run a thriving, meaningful garden-based education program.

Not only ...

Over the years of helping teachers grow school gardens, one truth keeps rising to the surface:

🌿 There is no one-size-fits-all approach to teaching through gardening.

Some educators light up at the thought of seed trays on their windowsill. Others get anxious just thinking about who will water the...

If you’ve ever put time, heart, and curriculum hours into building a school garden—only to have it damaged or neglected because of misunderstandings with caretakers—you’re not alone.

It’s a frustratingly common scenario:
You carefully plan out your raised beds, your students plant seedlings with en...