The Puget Sound region is known for its progressive approach to K-12 education. The integration of school gardens into classroom learning is one example of this approach. Garden–based education is becoming increasingly popular in our geographic area. Recently, a group of dedicated educators and volunteers working in school gardens started gathering to share stories, resources and support. This group, the Puget Sound School Gardens Collective meets quarterly. To join us, please email.

This website highlights some of our many school gardens in the Puget Sound (all are welcome) and offers ideas for curriculum, volunteer opportunities and ideas for starting your own school garden program.

Why plant a school garden?

Learning life skills The school garden offers a ripe environment for aligning hands-on learning to student achievement in the classroom. In the garden, students learn about the origin of their food, and observe the inter-relationships between plants, soil and insects. The garden lessons lead to an understanding and respect for all living systems as well as provide a venue to cultivate community with other students as they work together to plant, grow and harvest their fruits and vegetables.

Food creates community These days, many children and families have a weakened relationship with where and how food is grown and the cultural value of family time spent together for meals. School gardens offer a renewed sense of wonder and experience for students to connect with their food in its natural, unprocessed form and to experience foods that are the most nutritious for growing bodies and for promoting life-long health.

Growing food with kids helps kids make healthy food choices Many children today eat substantial quantities of processed food of low nutritional value. As a society, we are already seeing the negative consequences of this, through soaring rates of childhood overweight and obesity; driven by both poor diets and physical inactivity. One way to begin a revolutionary change to this pattern is to help children grow their own food and to eat these foods directly from the garden. The sensory experience of tasting foods in their most natural state engages all children on some level and can lead to a life-long commitment to nourishing their body through healthy food. School gardens provide lessons for students that align with educational goals in science, math, history, social studies, art and health.