• Home
  • About
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Subscribe
  • Shop

Real Life at Home

  • Learn
    • Printables and Worksheets by Age and Subject
    • Homeschooling
    • Book Lists for Kids
    • Play
    • Teaching Life Skills
  • Create
    • Crafts and Projects for Kids
    • Easy DIY and Projects
    • Homemade Gifts
  • Holidays
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Lent
    • Easter
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Independence Day
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Printables
    • Printables and Worksheets By Age and Subject
    • Exclusive Printables for Subscribers
    • Terms of Use
    • Coloring Pages
    • Word Search Printables
    • Crossword Puzzle Printables
  • Recipes
    • Easy Recipes Index
  • Catholic
    • Catholic Printables
    • Catholic Activities
    • First Communion
    • Catholic Monthly Activities
    • Catholic Word Search Printables
    • Saints and Heroes Printable Packets
You are here: Home / Homeschool / Homeschool Planning / Creating a Homeschool Garden: Educational Benefits

Creating a Homeschool Garden: Educational Benefits

April 4, 2012 By MichelleH · PRINTABLES TIP: Always go toward the end of a post to find the printable. · Disclosure: This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. {I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.}

589 shares
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter

advertisement

The following is a post by contributing writer Michelle of Lagniappe Academy.

Before we began homeschooling, the idea of starting a garden never entered my mind.  It sounded like work.  Lots of dirty, sweaty, bug-filled work.  Then, I had two dirt and bug loving little girls, who changed everything.

My children have always been interested in starting grand projects and connecting with nature.    Once we began homeschooling, I realized that they would probably enjoy having a garden of their own to tend and watch grow.  We had a yard, time, and curiosity . . . a perfect combination for gardening!

If you’re still afraid, like I was, that gardening might be more trouble than it’s worth, consider the many benefits (character-building and educational) that gardening can provide for your children.

advertisement

  • Connect to Nature and Feel Good – Scientists have discovered that contact with certain bacteria found in dirt can increase serotonin levels.  Dig your way to happiness!
  • Exercise – Dig a hole in the yard or carry several bags of dirt on a hot day and try not to sweat.  I dare you.
  • Develop Patience – Teach your kids that good things are worth waiting for.
  • Care for Living Things – This is an important skill to develop, and at least with a garden you don’t get stuck with a hamster in house.
  • Cause and Effect – Don’t water your plants, they die.  Care for your growing plants, you get great food to share with your family and friends.
  • Make Dinner from Something You Grew – There is no better way to encourage a picky eater to try new things than toask them to pick something from their own garden.  Plus, your entire family will benefit from the fruits of your labor.
  • Planning – Encourage your children to think ahead by letting them help you decide whichplants to try, where to place them, and when to plant them.
  • Math – Create a budget for supplies, measure plots and plant spacing, count seeds; record planting dates on a calendar, chart growth with bar graphs or other models.
  • Biology – Learn about plant structure, reproduction, and growth; investigate companion planting techniques and why they work; encourage beneficial insects; or make homemade organic pest sprays.
  • Chemistry – Learn how to test soil chemistry and learn to amend your soil to suit your particular plants.
  • Recycling – Create a compost pile or make your own seed pots from newspaper, egg cartons, or egg shells.
  • Create a Garden Journal –  Use a notebook or sketchbook to keep records of which plants grow well where and when to remind yourself what to do next season.  Your children can also draw, paint, or take photos of plants to include in your journal.

If you’re thinking a garden would be a great addition to your homeschool, grab a pot or two, some dirt, and a pack of seeds to get started!  I’ll be back later with other simple ways to begin and ideas for some fun and easy themed garden ideas to try with your kids.  


Michelle is a wife, mother, writer, and Cajun who prefers everything extra spicy. Follow along at Lagniappe Academy for more of their gardening and homeschooling adventures.

Join 40,000+ Other Awesome People

Subscribe to the Real Life at Home weekly newsletter to get our latest content, exclusive free printables, learning activities, and ideas for celebrating with your kids all year

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription. P.S. It's important that you confirm or you won't receive any more emails with free printables, fun tips, and other helps to make your life just a tiny bit easier.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Powered by ConvertKit
589 shares
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter

Filed Under: Homeschool Planning, Teaching Life Skills Tagged With: gardening

About MichelleH

Michelle is a wife, mother, writer, and Cajun who prefers everything extra spicy. Follow along at Raising Cajuns, for more real world Waldorf inspiration mixed in with the rest of their eclectic homeschooling.

Previous Post: « Spring Time Art Print
Next Post: First Communion Gift Guide 2012 »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. CC Jen says

    April 4, 2012 at 9:41 am

    I really need to get our garden started. Every year I have big plans to compost, etc., but I rarely seem to get around to it! Thanks for the inspirational post 🙂

    Reply
  2. Polly says

    April 4, 2012 at 10:04 am

    Thanks for sharing these benefits. I have been thinking about making a little garden this year and you have given me some great reasons to follow through.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Meet Angie

Angie, mom to three very fun kids, is the founder of Real Life at Home.  With degrees in elementary education (B.A.) and special education (M.S.Ed.), as well as being a former homeschooler, she is passionate about supporting both parents and teachers by providing printables, crafts, and activities to help children learn and grow. Read More…

Search

Connect with Real Life at Home

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Footer

  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms of Use and Conditions
  • Disclaimers

Amazon Affiliate Statement

Real Life at Home is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Categories

© 2006 - 2023 Real Life at Home / Tiny Owl LLC. All Rights Reserved.