School gardens are incredible spaces where students can connect with nature, learn hands-on science, and develop a sense of responsibility. Whether you're working with traditional soil beds, pots, or exploring hydroponic gardening, the right plants can make or break the educational experience for your garden.
Let's explore what to plant in your school garden, some things to avoid, and key considerations to help make sure you get your students excited about growing!
What to Consider When Picking Plants For Your School Garden
There’s no perfect grouping of plants for each school garden. However, there are some key factors to consider around your care, geographic location, and learning opportunities for your students.
- Space Requirements: Consider the size of your garden space and choose plants that will thrive without overcrowding your garden or classroom. Also, keep in mind that some plants are considered “invasive” and will quickly spread if not contained.
- Edible: You want to grow things that are easy to eat, allowing students to experience the results of their labor. It’s best if they can try things raw right from the garden. Plants that don’t produce enough to share or that require a lot of prep (cooking or chopping) before eating might not be the best option.
- Taste: Kids tend to be picky eaters. While you want to expand their horizons with new foods, they’ll be more excited to participate if there are foods they recognize and already enjoy. Strong flavors and odors (like onions or oregano) can be a turn off.
- Care: Minimal maintenance is key for school gardens. You’re already busy and time is limited, so it’s important to find plants that don’t require a lot of special care or upkeep. Focus on plants with simple watering and harvesting schedules that can still thrive even when school is closed or it’s extra cloudy for a few days.
- Safety: Always keep safety top of mind. Avoid any plants that are toxic, super prickly or thorny, or that could cause allergic reactions. Keep things clearly marked so students and other staff members know when to stay away if needed.
- Geographic Area: Align your plant choices with your local growing seasons, climate, and geographic area to maximize success and avoid frustration. Or opt for hydroponic gardens where you grow indoors, without worrying about weather and temperature conditions. Check out the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to figure out what grows best in your region.
- Educational Value: Select a mix of plants that offer diverse learning opportunities, like attracting pollinators or providing unique lifecycle or sensory experiences.
Best Plants for School Gardens
While every school and garden is different and has different growing conditions, let's explore some of the most common and popular plants for school gardens.
Cherry & Grape Tomatoes
Cherry and grape tomatoes are a favorite, especially among kids. The tomatoes are colorful and easy to see, which encourages curiosity about plant growth and lifecycle stages. They’re also small and bite-sized, which makes them great for hands-on harvesting and snacking!
Cucumbers
When it comes to vegetables, cucumbers tend to be a more popular option among kids. Plus, they’re easy to cut up and share, making them a great option for a classroom or group setting.
Herbs (Basil, Mint, Parsley)
These herbs are small and easy to manage, which is great for a classroom environment. The aromatic scents open up opportunities for sensory exploration, natural wellness, and cultural cooking discussions.
Leafy Greens (Lettuce, Spinach, Kale)
These greens are hydroponic-friendly and are ideal for classrooms with limited space. Plus, they grow quickly so your students will see results fast!
Root Vegetables (Radishes, Carrots)
As the name implies, root vegetables grow underground, which makes them perfect for lessons focused on soil and root systems. Root vegetables (particularly radishes) are also relatively fast-growing, so students can see the results of their efforts quickly.
Snapdragons
These visually-striking flowers are sure to grab the attention of young learners. The unique “dragon mouth” flower shape is fun, helping to spark curiosity and conversations. These grow well into the cooler season and attract insects and pollinators for extended learning.
Strawberries
While they may be hesitant to try new vegetables, the majority of kids are fans of fruit. Growing something they like will help motivate students and encourage participation. Plus, strawberries are brightly colored and have a high yield, so they’re fun to harvest and try during your classroom lessons!
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are easy for kids to recognize and provide a bit of cheer for your garden. They have an interesting lifecycle and lots of parts (sprouts, petals, seeds, etc.) for your students to investigate. As an added bonus, they’ll attract lots of pollinators to your garden! Consider planting a variety of different types or colors.
Zinnias
Zinnias are beautiful and come in tons of different varieties and colors, so they’re sure to add a little pizzazz to your garden. They grow through the summer and into the fall when that first frost hits, so your students will definitely get some enjoyment out of them.
Plants You May Want to Avoid In Your School Garden
While there's no hard or fast rule for what to grow in your garden, some plants can be more challenging than others. Here are a few plants that require careful consideration when planting in an educational or school garden setting.
Broccoli & Cauliflower
While delicious, broccoli and cauliflower take up a lot of space in your garden without a lot of yield. You’ll likely only get one or two cuttings, which isn’t much to share with your students.
Potatoes
Potatoes require a lot of space, and you get relatively low production for your efforts. They’re not very tasty raw, which means you have to utilize lesson time for prep and cooking. In general, they’re not very pretty or interesting to look at during the growth process either, so students can quickly become unengaged.
Large Pumpkins & Melons
These plants take a long time to grow, so your students may miss out on key lifecycle stages. They are also high maintenance and take up tons of space as their vines grow. This doesn’t work for most schools where the garden space is limited.
Roses
While considered one of the most beautiful and recognizable flowers, roses are full of prickly thorns. To avoid injury and unnecessary hassle, it’s best to avoid roses and other thorny plants, especially when working with younger students who might try to touch without asking.
Get Started With Green Our Planet
Whether you're growing in the soil or hydroponically, every plant offers a unique lesson waiting to be discovered. If you’re ready to start a school garden of your very own, Green Our Planet is here to help you succeed.
Our STEMworks-accredited GardenConnect and HydroConnect programs have everything you need to support hands-on learning and STEM education in your classroom. With lesson plans, curriculum, and community support, we’ll be with you every step of the way.
