The Why: Garden-based learning gets kids outside, builds self-esteem, familiarizes student with how food plants and other flora grows in the city, and has even been shown to reduce stress and improve academic outcomes in the classroom. From poetry to the plant lifecycle to gardening, we have resources for you that will help you to integrate your school garden into your curriculum. 

Garden Learning:

• Math in the Playground – though it utilizes the entire playground, a few of these lesson also incorporate elements of the trees, plants, and garden beds in the playground!
• NYC Outdoor Learning Toolkit – tips on materials, outdoor classroom managements, resources for students with special needs, curriculum links, and programming.
• City Nature Challenge Educator Toolkit – K-12 nature-based activities and lesson focused on observing biodiversity.
• Whole Kids Garden Lessons offer 35 lessons for grades K-5, covering seeds, planting plans, pests, pollinators, and food systems.
• Growing Minds suggests a children’s book to accompany school garden activities for each season.
• Edible School Yard offers both gardening and cooking lessons.
• Education Outside offers Science-based lesson for K-5, all aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.
• Tips on keeping a Nature Journal 
• Ideas for teaching Art in the Garden 
• Find more in our Full NYC Stewardship Manual

Garden Care:

• Weeding Basics
• Working with Native Plants
• Creating a Garden Plan or “Who has the keys to the shed?!”
• How to Plant Seeds & How to Thin Seeds 
• Finding mulch for gardens and tree pits
• Tree care
• Planting Flower Bulbs 

Find more lessons in the Learning in the Playground page.