Homeschool science lessons don't have to be found only in books. Raised garden beds can give children many opportunities for learning.
Benefits of Raised Garden Beds for Kids
There are many benefits to raised bed planting with children. Raised beds are easier for kids to weed, and therefore are more likely to be weeded. Without too many weeds, plants are more likely to flourish. As these plants thrive, children are exposed to nature and can learn to care for garden plants. When these plants yield fruits and vegetables, kids can be exposed to new culinary tastes and develop an awareness of the items in the produce isle.
Reading Sources for Kids and Gardening
There are several key elements in which the children can participate, beginning with planting ideas before the actual seeds. Homeschool families can read books about gardening, visit nurseries, and choose seeds appropriate for the climate and space. Children can also help in the construction of the raised planting beds or garden boxes.
Early elementary books on the topic include:
- The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow, by Joanna Cole, John Speirs, and Bruce Degan [Scholastic Paperbacks, 1995]
- The Magic School Bus Gets Planted: A Book About Photosynthesis, by Lenore Notkin [Scholastic Paperbacks, June 1997]
- The Tiny Seed, by Eric Carle [Simon & Schuster; First Little Simon Edition, 2005]
- From Seed to Plant (Rookie Read-About Science), by Allan Fowler [Children's Press, November 2001]
- Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children, by Sharon Lovejoy [Workman Publishing Company, May 1, 1999]
- Seed catalogues from various vendors
Homeschool Field-trips to Nurseries
Once the background has been established and the kids have either been introduced to or are already excited about gardening, it is homeschool field-trip time. A nursery can be a magical place for a young gardening enthusiast. Many nurseries have zones and spaces for young kids to explore their garden senses. Parents can check around for kid-friendly nurseries where the children can try their hands at planting seeds, touching leaves, and smelling flowers.
While at the nursery, children can choose seeds for their raised beds. For the first time gardener at a young age it is a good idea to only choose one or two items to plant in the raised bed. Young established plants, such as kohlrabi or pepper, are also good options for people living in climates with shorter growing periods.
Building a Raised Garden Bed With Children
Building the raised garden bed can be a simple homeschool family project. The size of the raised garden bed should accommodate the size and age of the child as well as the available space.
Ideally, the child should be able to easily reach the middle of the box without climbing into it. The wider the raised beds, the more challenging it can be for kids, so 2-3 feet in width is reasonable. Beds can be anywhere from 6 inches to 3 feet high. There are many design layouts and pictures available at eartheasy
Supplies can be from many sources and of many types. The following are just some samples of building options:
- Cedar planks or other untreated wood
- Cement blocks
- Landscape edging material
- Recycled materials
- Supplies purchased from a second-hand home refinishing store, such as ReStores by Habitat for Humanity ®
If stacking materials are chosen, such as bricks or blocks, even very young children can help build the framework. Older children can help with nailing wood building supplies.
After the raised planting bed frame has been constructed, place it in the desired location and prepare for planting. The most common raised bed fillers are soil, compost and a fertilizer. There are many recipes for soil combinations, but it is best to check with a local nursery for mixtures that work best in the planting climate.
Kids can then help fill the planting boxes and mix the compost materials to prepare for planting. Once the soil is ready, the children can plant the seeds. As the children wait for harvest time, there are many activities that can be done to enhance the homeschool science lesson experience.
Children can make predictions for when they think the first seed will sprout, chart the growth of the plants, and track the weather to look for patterns. With a little bit of water, sun, and patience, the kid-friendly raised garden bed science lesson can be the easiest way for growing vegetables, fruits, and enthusiasm for gardening.
Chris Oldenburg - The homeschooling mother of four children, I am also a freelance technical writer. After more than 10 years of homeschooling I enjoy the ...
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