The Benefits of a Homeschool Garden
It’s spring, and that means it’s the perfect time to start your family’s homeschool garden! Growing a homeschool garden is a fun way to learn some important science together as a family, while getting some time outside in the sun, too.
We’ve had a homeschool garden for several seasons now, and my daughter always looks forward to our sessions outside. She loves to plant seeds, see how they grow, and harvest the vegetables (even the ones she doesn’t like to eat). It’s been very educational and therapeutic for her.
There’s so many things that kids can learn from a homeschool garden. Here’s just a sampling:
Plant Biology. Children learn about the science of the life cycle of plants by growing them in a homeschool garden. My daughter has seen firsthand how a plant goes from a seed to a sprout to a full-grown plant that produces things she eats.
Scientific Method. Kids can learn about the scientific method in their homeschool garden by doing things like testing different plant varieties or growing methods against each other. In our homeschool garden, e’ve experimented with things like planting different plant varieties next to each other to see which grow better, and seen the difference in results between planting seeds directly in the garden or starting seeds in pots and then transplanting them.
Data Collection. By recording information about the things they grow, kids can get an introduction to scientific data collection and analysis. Using sheets downloadable from the internet and printed at home, kids can record data about their garden such as planting and harvest dates, harvest amounts, amounts of rain or watering time, or when and how they fertilize.
Health. Growing fruits and vegetables can be part of a hands-on nutrition curriculum to teach healthy eating habits to kids. My daughter is learning about the importance of vegetables to a healthy diet. Also, part of our garden plan is that she must at least try everything she grows, and thanks to her excitement about the garden she’s been good about it. This has helped expose her to foods that she otherwise would not have tried.
Planning. Involving your child in the process of deciding what to plant, when, and where in the garden helps them learn forward thinking and planning skills. My daughter helps select the vegetables we plant, how many we plant, and map out their locations in the garden.
Problem Solving. No garden is without issues - bugs, plant diseases, seeds that don’t germinate. Tackling those problems teaches children problem-solving skills as they identify problems and find solutions.
Research Skills. Much of the planning and problem solving needed in a garden involves research. Kids will learn how to find the best sources for the information they need: planting schedules, treating pest problems, planting methods, etc. Bridget has learned how to use Google to effectively research how to care for her plants, how fix pest problems, and planting schedules, among other things.
Writing & Language. Have your child start a journal to record their gardening experience and they will learn new vocabulary, narrative skills, descriptive language, and more. Your kids won’t even know they are exercising their writing skills while they make their gardening notes!
For kids with special needs, a homeschool garden can have even more benefits. It can help kids develop their motor skills, overcome textural or food aversions, and so many other things. Our daughter, who has autism, has benefited so much from getting her hands in the dirt to plant and weed and care for her plants.
If you have multiple children, a homeschool garden is a wonderful project that can be enjoyed by all ages together while each student learns at their own level. The youngest children can enjoy the quick, easy project of growing radishes while older children do more advanced experiments comparing different varieties and methods of growing. And your homeschool garden can grow with your children, providing more advanced learning opportunities as your children develop academically.
Whether you have a large yard to dig in, or a small patio to put planters on, there’s a homeschool gardening option that is right for everyone. Why not start one today?
