Do you garden? Have you always wanted a garden? Are you thinking of adding a garden to your home this spring?

Whether you live in an apartment and have room for only a small pot garden or you live in the country with space for veggies, herbs, plants, flowers and more, a garden is a fantastic spring and summer addition to  your homeschool curriculum. And if you don’t homeschool, gardening is an outstanding project to nurture your child’s brain and creativity during the “non-academic” months.

• Gardening contributes to a child’s daily need for physical activity. Don’t be afraid to let your child break a sweat digging and planting – it’s a fantastic and fun way to keep them moving.
• Allow your child to explore. Did your son dig up a worm? Great – allow him to study it and talk about it.
• Grow vegetables and herbs so that your child can learn the benefits of eating straight from his/her backyard. Not only is this nutritious, but it provides a greater lesson in green living.
• Make it scientific. Does your child understand the process of composting? What about the cycles of plant life? Incorporate these lessons in your homeschool curriculum while allowing your child to witness them first-hand.
• Encourage creativity and art related to gardening. Dry flowers or use different components of the plant to make colors on paper.
• Discuss the importance of gardening in American history.
• Incorporate math skills by adding and subtracting flowers and petals. How many tomatoes are left when you remove two from the vine?
• Allow your child to sit in or around the garden and journal his/her thoughts. Engage them in creative writing regarding the garden and its many mysteries.

There are endless ideas for making a garden an educational portal. Please share any that you have!

Photo by *Susie*