Grow a School Garden. Cultivate Lifelong Learning.
A school garden is much more than a place to grow fruits and vegetables – it’s a living classroom where students explore science, nutrition, ecology, culture, and teamwork through hands-on learning.
School Gardens Training prepares educators, garden leaders, and community organizations to confidently plan, build, maintain, and teach in school and community gardens.
Whether you’re new to gardening, taking on or revitalizing an exiting garden, or looking for new ways to integrate garden-based learning into your curriculum, this interactive training provides practical guidance, planning tools, and proven strategies for creating a successful, sustainable garden program.
Ready to grow your school garden?
Why School Gardens Matter
School gardens inspire curiosity, encourage healthy eating, connect students with nature and where their food comes from, and create meaningful opportunities for experiential learning.
From planting seeds and observing life cycles to composting, harvesting vegetables and preparing food, gardens help learners develop scientific understanding, environmental stewardship, collaboration, and practical life skills.
School Gardens Training helps educators move beyond simply growing plants by transforming gardens into engaging outdoor classrooms that support learning across multiple subject areas.
Who is School Gardens Training For?
School Gardens Training is designed for anyone interested in planning, managing, or teaching in a school or community garden, including:
- Classroom Teachers
- School Garden Coordinators
- Farm to School Coordinators
- Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) Educators
- Environmental Educators
- Agriculture Educators
- Extension Educators
- Master Gardeners
- Homeschool Educators
- Afterschool and Summer Camp Educators
- Daycare Educators
- Community Garden Leaders
- Botanical Garden Educators
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Volunteers
- Anyone interested in garden-based learning
No previous gardening experience is required. Whether you’re starting with an empty patch of ground or improving an established garden, this training will help you create a successful learning environment.
What You’ll Learn
Throughout School Gardens Training, you’ll learn how to:
- Plan a successful school or community garden.
- Design an inviting, functional outdoor learning space.
- Select plants that fit your climate and educational goals.
- Create seasonal planting and maintenance plans.
- Organize volunteers and student participation.
- Maintain a healthy, sustainable garden throughout the growing season.
- Integrate gardening into science, nutrition, ecology, and interdisciplinary learning.
- Build a long-term vision that supports funding, partnerships, and program sustainability.
What’s Included
Interactive Online Classes
Participate in four live online classes where you’ll learn practical strategies, ask questions, and collaborate with fellow educators and garden leaders.
Planning Guides and Garden Resources
Each module includes downloadable planning guides, checklists, templates, and background resources that help you immediately apply what you learn.
Ongoing Course Access
Continue accessing course materials after the training so you can revisit resources as your garden grows and evolves.
Certificate and Professional Learning Credit
Participants who successfully complete the training receive a School Gardens Training Certificate of Completion.
Licensed educators in New York State earn 6 Continuing Teacher & Leader Education (CTLE) hours.
Learn by Planning, Designing, and Growing
School Gardens Training emphasizes practical application.
Throughout the course, you’ll develop a comprehensive garden plan tailored to your own school or organization. By the end of the training, you’ll have a practical roadmap that can support grant applications, guide implementation, and serve as a foundation for a thriving, sustainable garden program.
Course Modules
Module 1: Planning a School Garden
Lay the foundation for a successful garden program. Explore how to build support, identify funding opportunities, select appropriate plants for your region, and develop a planting calendar that aligns with the school year.
Includes: School Garden Planning Guide and Checklist.
Module 2: Designing a School Garden
Design an outdoor learning space that is functional, welcoming, and educational. Explore garden layouts, themes, pathways, accessibility considerations, and features that encourage exploration and learning.
Includes: Garden Design Planning Guide.
Module 3: Planting & Maintaining a School Garden
Learn practical strategies for planting, watering, weeding, harvesting, and maintaining a productive school garden. Discover ways to organize tasks, involve students, and develop a sustainable summer maintenance plan.
Includes: Maintenance Planning Guide and Checklist.
Module 4: Teaching in a School Garden
Bring your garden to life as an outdoor classroom. Explore engaging activities that connect gardening with science, nutrition, ecology, culture, and interdisciplinary learning while helping students build meaningful connections with food and nature.
Includes: Garden Activity Guide and Teaching Resources.
