Growing Knowledge: Why Schools Should Teach Children to Grow Food. And How They Can Do It

Schools have an incredible role to play in shaping not just children’s academic development, but their life skills, values, and habits. 

One of the simplest yet most powerful tools for doing this is a school garden. 

Teaching children to grow food isn’t just about planting seeds – it’s about cultivating curiosity, resilience, and a connection to the wider world.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

A school garden transforms education into something hands-on and memorable. Science lessons on plant biology become experiments pupils can see and touch. Maths comes to life when they measure growth rates or count out seeds. Even literacy benefits, with pupils writing garden journals or sharing recipes. It’s active learning at its best – immersive, engaging, and lasting.

Encouraging Healthy Choices

When children grow fruit and vegetables themselves, they’re far more willing to try them. A child who proudly pulls a carrot from the ground is much more likely to taste it – and enjoy it. Schools that integrate food growing into the curriculum often see improved attitudes towards healthy eating, which in turn can support better concentration and wellbeing in the classroom.

Building Responsibility and Teamwork

Caring for a garden requires commitment. Pupils quickly learn that if a bed isn’t weeded, or plants aren’t watered, the results suffer. These lessons in responsibility and resilience are invaluable. Working in teams to share tasks and celebrate harvests also strengthens collaboration skills – qualities that help in every area of school life.

A Connection to Nature

In a world where screens dominate so much of children’s attention, school gardens reconnect them with the outdoors. They come to understand the rhythm of the seasons, the importance of pollinators, and the effort behind every meal. This awareness often extends beyond school grounds, nurturing respect for the environment and sustainability.

Enhancing School Community

Gardens create opportunities to involve parents, carers, and the wider community. A harvest day or school feast using garden produce can bring everyone together. Some schools even partner with local food banks, teaching children about community support and social responsibility in the process.

Preparing for the Future

Food security, climate change, and sustainability are pressing global challenges. By teaching children to grow food, schools equip them with practical skills and knowledge to face these issues with confidence. A child who learns to grow their own food is a child empowered to make healthier, more sustainable choices in later life.

How Your School Can Get Started

Even if your school doesn’t have a large green space, there are plenty of ways to begin:

Start Small – Raised beds, pots, or even windowsill herb gardens can be enough to get pupils planting and learning.

Link with the Curriculum – Tie gardening projects to science, maths, geography, or PSHE lessons to make learning natural and integrated.

Involve the Whole School – From reception to Year 6 and beyond, every class can take part, whether through planting, journaling, cooking, or caring for the garden.

Seek Community Support – Local garden centres, allotment groups, or even parents may be willing to donate seeds, compost, or expertise.

Celebrate the Harvest – Organise a tasting day, cooking session, or school fair to share the results. It reinforces the value of the project and builds excitement for the next growing season.

UK Resources for Schools

Schools don’t have to start from scratch – there are plenty of organisations offering support, ideas, and even funding opportunities:

RHS Campaign for School Gardening – Free resources, curriculum-linked projects, and awards to help schools of all sizes create and grow gardens. https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/school-gardening

Soil Association’s Food for Life Schools Award – A whole-school approach to food education, including growing, cooking, and healthy eating. https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/school-gardening

Eden Project Communities – Guidance and inspiration for school and community gardening projects. https://www.edenprojectcommunities.com/

Garden Organic Education Programme – Resources, training, and advice on organic gardening in schools. https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/expert-advice/growing-in-your-space/schools

Grow to School (Yorkshire-based, national resources available) – Specialist support and project ideas to embed food growing into the curriculum. https://www.growtoschool.co.uk/

Local Allotment Societies & Community Gardens – Many welcome partnerships with schools and may offer practical help or shared space.

Final Thought for Educators

A school garden isn’t just a patch of soil – it’s an outdoor classroom, a health project, a community builder, and a sustainability lesson all rolled into one. For schools and teachers, investing time and energy into food growing can yield a harvest far richer than the crops themselves: resilient, curious, and capable young people.