As the weather warms and the days grow longer, schools across the country can dig into a hands-on approach to student health: school gardens. These vibrant outdoor classrooms aren’t just about planting seeds- they’re about growing lifelong habits that promote nutrition, curiosity, and well-being.

In an age where highly processed snacks and fast food are often easier to grab than a piece of fruit, school gardens can provide a powerful counterbalance. When students grow their own food- even something as simple as a cherry tomato or a sprig of mint- they’re more likely to eat it, enjoy it, and reach for it again in the future.

According to a study by the Journal of Behavioral Nutrition, students who become involved in gardening programs eat vegetables at higher rates and show improved attitudes towards healthy eating compared to those who don’t. When students are personally involved in growing their own food, they’re more likely to feel connected to their nutrition and make better decisions about what they put in their bodies, according to BMC Public Health.

School gardens are also educationally beneficial beyond just health and nutrition. They can promote environmental literacy in hands-on ways, and students learn plant life cycles, ecosystems, and soil health in an engaging way. Additionally, math lessons can be incorporated through measuring growth, planning layouts, and even counting seeds. All core educational skills can be brought to life in this way.

So, as spring unfolds, now is the perfect time for schools to start or revive a garden program. Whether it starts with a few pots on a windowsill or a full outdoor plot, every bit of green space offers an opportunity to teach students how to care for plants, their bodies, and their world. When students grow food with their own hands, they grow more than just vegetables- they grow habits that can last a lifetime.

Resources:

  • Chan, C.L., Tan, P.Y. & Gong, Y.Y. Evaluating the impacts of school garden-based programmes on diet and nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes and practices among the school children: a systematic review. BMC Public Health 22, 1251 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13587-x
  • Davis, J.N., Pérez, A., Asigbee, F.M. et al. School-based gardening, cooking and nutrition intervention increased vegetable intake but did not reduce BMI: Texas sprouts – a cluster randomized controlled trial. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 18, 18 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-021-01087-x

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