Classroom Gardens: Easy and Effective Indoor Gardening for Teachers

Have you ever dreamed of having a school garden but felt like it’s just out of reach? Maybe you’ve thought about how amazing it would be for your students to connect with nature, learn where their food comes from, and pick up some valuable life skills along the way. But then reality hits—there’s no space, no budget, and who’s going to take care of it during the summer? If any of this sounds familiar, I’ve got some good news for you. You don’t need a big outdoor space to make your garden dreams come true. All you need is a classroom garden.

So, What Exactly Is a Classroom Garden?

A classroom garden is an indoor garden right inside your classroom (or somewhere else in the school). We’re talking about growing actual food—leafy greens, veggies, even seedlings that your students can take home, donate, or sell to raise funds for your school. It’s a garden that fits neatly into your everyday teaching, helping you cover subjects like math, science, language arts, and more, all while your students learn the joys of growing plants. And not just any plants, food!

Why Should You Consider a Classroom Garden?

You might wonder, why a classroom garden when outdoor gardens seem to be all the rage? Let me give you a few reasons why an indoor classroom garden could be your new best friend.

1. No Summer Maintenance Worries: One of the biggest headaches with outdoor gardens is figuring out what to do with them over the summer. With a classroom garden, you don’t have to worry about that. By the time the school year ends, your garden has done its job, and you can head into summer break stress-free.

2. No Expensive Equipment Needed: A lot of people think you need fancy grow lights to have an indoor garden, but that’s just not true. If your classroom has a sunny window—preferably facing south, but west, or east also work—you’re all set. No need to spend extra money on lights you don’t really need.

3. Complete Control: With a classroom garden, you’re in charge. There’s no need to coordinate with volunteers, other teachers, or the school’s maintenance staff. It’s just you and your students, making it a much simpler and more manageable project.

4. Easily Fits into Your Curriculum: Because classroom gardens are straightforward, you can focus more on what really matters—the learning. You can easily tie gardening activities into your lessons, making them more interactive and engaging for your students.

How to Get Started with Your Classroom Garden

Starting a classroom garden is easier than you might think. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need:

• A Sunny Window: Look for a spot that gets 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight.
• Good Quality Seeds and Potting Soil: Choose seeds that work well for indoor growing and are suited to your local climate. Because even though you will send the seedlings home, sell, or donate them you still want them to be suited for their new homes, be it the students home gardens or the local community garden that receives them.
• Basic Supplies: You’ll need some simple items like party cups, pushpins, square bins, and water. I have a guide on how to use these supplies to grow the seeds with your students indoors HERE.
• A Planting Schedule: You can find planting schedules online, like at growveg.com, which offers a handy color coded guide based on your location.
• Curriculum-Connected Lesson Plans: The magic of a classroom garden is how easily it can blend with your lessons. Whether you’re teaching biology, math, or even language or social studies, there’s a way to integrate the garden into your daily activities. And that's what our the Oasis Classroom program gives you.

The Hidden Potential of Classroom Gardens

Classroom gardens might not be as flashy as their outdoor counterparts, but they’re just as powerful when it comes to teaching. They make growing food accessible, even if you don’t have a big budget or a lot of space. And they give your students a hands-on learning experience that’s both fun and educational.

Even if you’re already considering an outdoor garden, starting with a classroom garden can be a great first step. It’s a low-stress way to get your students involved in gardening and can provide a solid foundation for bigger projects down the road.

So, if you’re looking for a way to bring some green into your classroom and inspire your students, a classroom garden might be just the thing you’ve been searching for. It’s an easy, manageable way to leave a lasting impact on your students and create a green legacy that they’ll remember for years to come.

Want to dive deeper into this topic? Check out Episode 7 of the School Gardens with Ease podcast, where I talk more about the benefits of classroom gardens and share tips to help you get started. Happy gardening!