Curriculum Resources

Integrating Garden-Based Learning Across Subjects

School gardens provide rich opportunities for interdisciplinary learning. The garden becomes an outdoor classroom where students can apply concepts from multiple subjects in hands-on, meaningful ways.

Below are curriculum connections organized by subject area. Each area includes topics that can be explored through garden-based activities.

Science

Plant life cycles and biology
Ecosystems and food webs
Soil composition and chemistry
Weather and climate effects
Insect identification and ecology

Mathematics

Measuring garden plots and plant growth
Calculating yields and harvests
Graphing weather and growth data
Fractions in recipes using garden produce
Geometry in garden design

Language Arts

Garden journals and observations
Research projects on plants
Poetry inspired by nature
Reading garden literature
Writing garden guides

Art

Botanical illustration
Garden photography
Creating seed mosaics
Nature-inspired crafts
Garden design sketching

Social Studies

History of agriculture
Food systems and economics
Cultural food traditions
Geography and growing zones
Community and cooperation

Health & Nutrition

Nutritional value of vegetables
Healthy eating habits
Food safety practices
Physical activity in gardening
Mindfulness in nature

Curriculum Organizations

UGA Extension's School Garden Curriculum

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offers comprehensive school garden curriculum resources aligned with educational standards, providing lesson plans and activities for K-12 educators.

KidsGardening

A leader in garden-based education since 1982, KidsGardening provides grants, curriculum resources, and community support to help educators create and sustain school garden programs nationwide.

Whole Kids Foundation

Dedicated to helping kids eat better, Whole Kids Foundation supports school gardens through grants, training, and resources that connect children to fresh food and healthy eating habits.

School Garden Project

Committed to helping kids understand where food comes from and how it grows. The School Garden Project provides resources for educators to teach science, environmental stewardship, and healthy eating through hands-on garden experiences.

Growing Minds Farm to School Program

Started in 2002, Growing Minds connects farms and schools through garden-based learning, farm field trips, and local food in cafeterias, providing curriculum and resources for educators.