Starting a garden is a great long-term project that has numerous benefits. Gardening can happen in a calm, quiet and relaxing natural environment. It can be taught through online learning and videos. Gardening can also be an activity that unites a group of people through a common purpose and interest. For example, when school resumes this fall, the things that were grown over the summer can be brought in to show classmates and the growing experience can be shared through journals and photos. This can also be a way to keep a class together during school breaks by sharing a gardening project online.
Growing your own flowers, fruits and vegetables teaches a valuable lesson in self-sufficiency and gardening is a skill you can use for your lifetime.
What is it about gardening – planting, tending, harvesting, and eating what you grow – that is so therapeutic?
Gardening improves gross and fine motor skills
Activities in the garden can address both gross and fine motor skills. Here are some examples:
1. The Wheelbarrow – moving dirt, rocks, or debris counts as heavy work and can build muscles in both arms and legs.
2. Digging – build endurance and hand dexterity; can also reduce tactile defensiveness.
3. Pulling Weeds – develops arm and hand strength and postural stability.
4. Raking – good for bilateral coordination.
5. Watering with a watering can – good for bilateral coordination if using two hands strengthens arms.
6. Planting Seeds – fine motor coordination.
7. Pinching Plants – the pincer grasp is used to pinch off dead leaves or flowers.
8. Picking – depending on what you are picking, a different touch and gradation will be needed. Raspberries require more delicacy, apples need more coaxing.
9. Pulling – vegetables that grow in the ground will need more strength to get them out like potatoes and carrots.
Starting seedlings is a great indoor activity
You don’t have to wait for the good weather to start a garden, nor to you need fancy equipment or a large outdoor space. You can start planting seeds by using eggshells, toilet paper rolls, paper cups, and other common household items. You don’t even have to buy seeds if you don’t want to because you can find seeds from the foods you already eat like apples. Here is a list of 16 foods that will re-grow from kitchen scraps. What a great science lesson to do at home! It also teaches children how to be frugal and re-use what is around them. Looking for free seeds? Here are some ways to get them.
When plants become too big for the planter they are in and it’s time to move them outside, you can transplant them into larger containers such window boxes, planters, hanging baskets, or any other container that holds soil. You can also use cement blocks or bricks to make an area that fits your space for planting outdoors. The clever Farmer’s Almanac has a superb article on constructing a do-it-yourself garden with limited supplies.
Curriculum ideas for gardening
There are many topics you can teach around gardening such as:
• Parts of a seed
• Stages of plant growth
• Plant Categories (fruits, vegetable, herbs, types of flowers)
• Heirloom fruits and vegetables
• History (chocolate is a fascinating one)
• Health benefits of fruits and vegetables
Children can have projects around plant growth such as keeping a journal on plant development, taking photos and sharing with others, and researching recipes to eventually use what they have grown. There are specific gardening lesson plans for various age groups.
The benefits of gardening for all ages and needs
There are many benefits of gardening for all ages and diverse needs.
• It is a calm, quiet activity in a natural environment.
• It provides an opportunity to follow instructions.
• It teaches cooperation and how to work with others.
• It gives numerous sensory experiences and input (refer back to the motor skills section).
• It teaches responsibility and leadership. A garden needs tending every day.
• It is a fully inclusive activity because there is something for everyone to do and a garden is a team effort.
• It provides an opportunity to socialize.
• Eating what you grow can encourage individuals to try new foods.
• You can learn a variety of ways to prepare fruits and vegetables.
• You can learn how to preserve food through canning, freezing, drying, and dehydration.
• Flowers can be dried and used for art projects.
There are lots of resources on how to start a garden and what to grow. Some vegetables are easier than other so try to start with something fairly forgiving. Enjoy your gardening projects in whatever space you have!
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