Gardening in Schools this September

It’s September and summer has returned after a long break during July and August – and the school holidays are now over… Typical! But I have managed to start the work of cutting the hedges 🧑🏻‍🌾 BUT if you are a teacher who longs for the start of summer and is frustrated that the weather is now getting better, don’t – take your classes out from the classroom into the garden!

September is the perfect time to start a new school garden – plenty of time to sow salads of all kinds and soon it will be time to plant garlic, onions, fruit bushes and all kinds of trees! There is so much heat in the autumn soil that it is the perfect time to plant new plants, move plants, plant bulbs, sow wild flower seeds not to mention harvesting and foraging in the hedgerows for food!

Gardening offers a great template to teach all the areas of learning and experience – the possibilities are endless! From studying soil science, gardening terminology developing language skills, calculating planting densities, and quantifying crop yields, celebrating the history and traditions of growing food, creating live exhibitions using flowers and all this outdoors – building resilience and supporting mental and physical health!

I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences developing school gardens and supporting the new curriculum for Wales tomorrow morning at Ysgol Gymraeg Cynwyd Sant INSET day! If you would like a school visit or training for staff during this Autumn term get in touch now by emailing cyswllt@adamynyrardd.cymru!