Homeschooling + Gardening
I'm a veteran homeschooling mom who is still homeschooling after 16 years. I started teaching in the public school system before having kids and knew that when I did have kids, I would want to be home with them to learn together.
Never did I imagine learning alongside my kids. I just thought I would be the one doing the teaching like I had done in the school system. But when my oldest was 9 years old, he begged me to start a garden. He wanted to see things grow in our tiny, little backyard where the kids barely had a space to play.
Green Things Died with Me
How could I say no to my son's request to start a garden, even though I had a total black thumb? I had killed every house plant close to me in the previous years and looked at people who gardened with a sense of awe. I would think to myself, "I could never keep a garden alive. I am known for killing anything green."
That was the beginning of my learning and passion for gardening that has continued to grow as my gardening skills and knowledge have grown. I have seen growth not just iin the garden, but growth in my kids as they have created a place to enjoy, harvest, and learn from daily.
Gardening as a Part of our Homeschooling Life
And with the homeschooling season upon us, I'm reflecting on how homeschooling has led me to so many other things in life. One of those things is gardening. Gardening was not something that I ever thought I would do, but it has become one of my favorite activities because of homeschooling. But gardening is one of the great benefits of homeschooling.
Here are a few reasons why homeschooling and gardening go together like peas and carrots....
7 Benefits of Homeschooling and Gardening Together:
#1- Learn Life Skills
One of the great benefits of homeschooling is that it allows for children to learn new skills in a relaxed setting. While homeschooling, my kids have learned how to play the guitar, basketball, and now gardening. Gardening is a great life skill to learn, as it teaches patience, planning, and follow-through. These are all important skills that can be used in many areas of life.
#2- Consistency
A big part of learning how to garden is consistency. Gardening takes time and patience, both of which are best learned when practiced regularly. By homeschooling your kids and incorporating gardening into your homeschool routine, you are setting them up for success with this life skill. They will learn how to be consistent in their efforts, and they will also see the fruits of their labor as they watch their garden grow!
#3- Responsibility
When you homeschool your kids, they can learn new skills that build up their understanding of becoming responsible. Keeping up with gardening activities every day is important to keep the garden alive. Gardening is a skill that takes time and patience to learn, but it is worth it. By having kids check the garden each day, you are giving them a chance to build this responsibility muscle. They can see immediately when they have forgotten to water or when vegetables are over ripened and needed to have been harvested. Then they can have a fresh start the next day & help their garden to grow because they are taking care of it.
#4-Perseverance
One of the most important life skills that can be learned from gardening is perseverance. Gardening takes time and effort, and it can be frustrating when things don't go as planned. But with perseverance, gardeners can overcome any obstacle they face in their garden.
This is a valuable life skill that can be applied to many areas of life. When faced with a difficult task, a homeschooling child who also gardens will know that with perseverance, they can accomplish anything. This is a valuable lesson that will serve them well throughout their life.
#5- Time Together
Another aspect of homeschooling and gardening is that it allows for families to spend time together. When families garden together, they are spending time together in productive activity. This is a great way to build family bonds and relationships.
In addition, gardening is a great way to connect with nature. When families garden together, they are surrounded by the natural world, and they can learn about plants and nature firsthand. This is a valuable experience that can’t be found in a classroom.
Gardening is also a great way to teach children about food. When children grow their food, they learn where food comes from and how it grows. This is a valuable life lesson that will help them make healthy choices for their future.
#6- Outside Benefits
One of the benefits of homeschooling and gardening is that it encourages children to spend time outside. When families garden together, they are spending time outside in the fresh air. This is a great way for kids to get some exercise and Vitamin D.
In addition, gardening is a great way to connect with nature and get healthy. When families garden together, they are surrounded by the natural world, and they can learn about plants and nature firsthand. This is a valuable experience that can’t be found in a classroom.
Gardening is also a great way to teach children about food. When children grow their food, they learn where food comes from and how it grows. This is a valuable life lesson that will help them make healthy choices for their future.
#7- Gardening Is Exercise
Gardening is often thought of as a calming activity, but it can provide a great workout for the whole family too. Getting outside in the fresh air has benefits for both physical and mental health, and gardening is a great way to get everyone moving.
Simple tasks like pulling weeds or raking leaves can get your heart rate up and lifting bags of soil or mulch can help to build muscle strength. And doing these tasks together in building or maintaining your garden is a great goal as a family. You are all working towards something great together and learning at the same time.
What's Stopping You from Gardening?
Time Constraints
If you want to make gardening a part of your family's everyday life, it's important to make time for it.
Even just a few minutes a day can help to keep the garden healthy and growing. Here are a few tips for making gardening a part of your daily routine:
- 1Start with a small garden. A small garden is much more manageable than a large one, and it will still provide plenty of fresh produce for your family.
- 2Check on the garden daily. A few minutes each day is all it takes to check on the garden, harvest any produce, and water if necessary.
- 3Make gardening fun for the whole family. Get outside and enjoy the fresh air while you work in the garden. This is a great way to spend time together as a family.
Connect With Your Kids Through Gardening
Make gardening easy by choosing a garden to do with your kids.
Butterfly Garden
Pizza Garden
Green Bean Teepee
What are other Things Stopping You from Gardening?
Lack of Knowledge & information
The best way to learn about gardening is to get started! Try planting a small garden in your backyard and see how you like it. Reading gardening books or online articles or attending gardening classes at your local community center can help build your confidence and knowledge. There are many ways to learn about gardening, so don't let a lack of knowledge stop you from giving it a try.
I offer a 12-week Simple Gardening Method with Kids Course HERE. See if this would be a good starting point for you and your family.
Space Restraints
If you don't have room for a garden in your backyard, you can try gardening in containers. You can grow a variety of plants in containers, including vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Containers can be placed on a porch or patio, or even on the windowsill.
You can also try vertical gardening. This is a great way to use limited space to grow a garden. You can grow vegetables, fruits, and flowers in vertically stacked pots or containers. This is a great way to save space and still get your gardening fix.
Failures in the Past
Gardening is a skill that can be learned with a little bit of practice. You might have had some failures in the past, but don't give up. Try again, and this time involve your kids. They can help you take care of the garden, and they'll learn a lot about plants and nature in the process.
What do you need to start a garden in your Homeschooling Space?
Now that you know some of the stopping points to starting a garden, you also know what to do to move forward. Here are some ways to make it happen.
Gardening with kids is a great way to get them outdoors and teach them about where food comes from. It doesn't have to be large-scale gardening. A few pots on a balcony or patio can be just as effective in getting your child's gardening journey started. Here are some resources to help you get going in the right direction:
- The 12-week Simple Gardening Method: This is a step-by-step guide that will help you make a garden happen in 12 weeks.
- Sign up for my weekly gardening newsletter with the freebie 7 Secrets to Successful Gardening: I have a ton of information and tips on gardening with kids, starting a garden, and more. Be sure to check it out!
With a little instruction, you can be successful in starting a garden with your kids. Gardening is a great way to get them outdoors and teach them about where food comes from. Gardening is one of the great benefits of homeschooling.
In Conclusion:
Homeschooling my kids has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. Not only have they been able to learn at their own pace and tailor their education to their individual needs, but homeschooling has also led me to find new skills like gardening.
I never would have guessed that homeschooling would lead me down the path of gardening, but it did.
Through homeschooling my kids, I was able to explore different interests and discover hidden talents. Gardening has become my passion and it has taught me so much about myself. I never would have found this passion if it weren't for homeschooling my kids.
After 16 years and more years of homeschooling ahead of me, I want to encourage you to try out gardening for you and your kids.
Use the time outside to connect, learn new life skills, and be quiet. The benefits of gardening and homeschooling together are many. Start today and you'll be happy you did for you and your family.
Let me know what you think about homeschooling and gardening in the comments below. I would love to hear your thoughts.