Loading... Please wait...
Blog
Get Gardening!
Posted on Apr 17th 2019
Want to try growing your own food? Get in the school garden game--here's how!
What is a school garden?
A school garden can be as large as a field or as small as a few containers, but it is a place to grow things as a way to learn by being hands-on. A garden can be for growing food or flowers, and some gardens are grown to attract animals to observe. A class, a grade, all the students in a school or just those who wish to help, along with teachers, parents and community volunteers, work together to plant, tend and harvest their gardens.
What are the benefits of a school garden?
A school garden is an opportunity for students to learn about science, especially biology, which is the study of living things, along with agriculture and math.
A garden is its own small ecosystem, with much to observe.
Growing food teaches food literacy, and many schools also cook the food they grow.
Fun and rewarding, gardening is also hard work, so it teaches discipline and follow through. A school garden requires that people work together to cooperate and share resources.
Starting a school garden
Starting a garden requires a commitment, and it is a fun way to unite a group of people. Like a plant itself, a garden can grow larger over time. Starting small, even in just a few containers, is a smart idea. That way you can avoid being overwhelmed. Instead, focus your resources and energy on building a bountiful garden.
To have a garden, a few basic elements are required: soil, sun, and a source for water. Once you locate these, you can write a proposal for creating a garden to give to your teacher or principal. Once you get approval for your plan, gather a group and get going to get growing.
Resources
Many organizations exist which can help you plan a garden. Many can help you find grants to fund your garden project. Here are a few websites to check out:
• edibleschoolyard.org
•
farmtoschool.org
•
kidsgardening.org
How to Make a Refreshing Pineapple Yogurt Smoothie
Yogurt is a super food which can help the body in many ways (along with tasting so good). Plus, yogurt is a fascinating food because it has living organisms in it. Thousands of bacteria also live in the human gastrointestinal tract. Scientists do not know exactly what role the bacteria plays, but they believe that [...]
It's National Poetry Month!
Here's how you can celebrate National Poetry Month through food (and vice versa)! Poetry and food are a natural match, since both are composed of individual parts that go together to create something new. And, like a stanza of verse and a delicious meal, both can be savored. Poetry is different than prose, or paragraphs of writing. [...]
Make Your Own Orange Juice for National Oranges and Lemons Day
Making your own orange juice is a fun activity if you have never tried it before. Plus, March 31 is National Oranges and Lemons Day, so it's the perfect way to celebrate!By making your own, you control what goes in it, as premade orange juice from the store often has preservatives and other additives. To [...]
A Recipe for National Celery Month
As referenced in last week's post, it's National Celery Month! Here's a recipe and a couple of fun facts to help celebrate (celery-brate? We'll see ourselves out).Creamy celery and broccoli soup Makes 4 servings.Ingredients •1 teaspoon olive oil •1½ cups celery, chopped •1 cup broccoli crowns, chopped •½ cup onion, chopped •2 tablespoons butter •3 tablespoons flour •3 cups milk •½ teaspoon celery seed •¼ [...]
An Experiment for National Celery Month
This National Celery Month (yes, March is National Celery Month!) learn more about the all-star peanut butter and hummus dipper and soup ingredient. Growing celery In 1857, all along the banks of the Kalamazoo River in Michigan was thick, dark, black, muddy, moist, oozing muck. A clever man named Cornelius De Bruin decided to try to grow [...]
Hooray for Hummus
Hummus makes a great snack paired with pita chips or veggies. Here's how you and your kids can make your own. Basic hummus recipeMakes 6-8 servings.Ingredients•1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained •¼ cup tahini •3 tablespoons lemon juice •1 clove garlic, crushed •½ teaspoon cumin •2 teaspoons olive oilInstructionsPlace all ingredients except olive oil in blender or food processor and [...]
All about Pomegranates
Learn about the pomegranate, a mythological and delicious fruit! History of the pomegranate Pomegranates are an ancient fruit. They have been mentioned in ancient texts like the Greek poet Homer’s epics The Iliad and The Odyssey. Pomegranates first grew in Iran, and are now grown across the Middle East and Asia. Pomegranates grow in the United States, in [...]
Valentine's Milkshakes
How are you celebrating Valentine's Day? If you have a sweet tooth (and a few friends who love a good milkshake), we recommend trying out this recipe!Chocolate milkshake recipeMakes 2-3 servings. Ingredients•4 scoops vanilla ice cream (about 2 cups) •½ cup milk cold •¼ cup chocolate syrupInstructionsPut ice cream, milk and syrup in a blender. Carefully put [...]
Celebrate Carrots This Winter
Winter is a great time to enjoy root vegetables like carrots! Here are some fun facts and a simple and tasty recipe featuring carrots. Fast facts •Carrots can be eaten cooked or raw. Try them boiled, roasted, steamed, stewed and even mashed. •The average American eats about 10 pounds of carrots each year. •Carrots are high in fiber, which [...]