Schools Gardening Competition 2025 (entries by 23 May)
Encouraging school gardening is such a fantastic idea! It’s a brilliant way to get children outside, connect them with nature, and teach them valuable life skills. Here are a few ideas to help get school gardening off the ground:
Start with a Small Garden: Begin with a small patch or even raised beds. You don’t need a massive space to grow things like herbs, salad greens, or flowers. This makes it more manageable for the pupils to maintain.
Hands-On Learning: Gardening offers the perfect opportunity for hands-on learning. Pupils can learn about biology, ecology, and sustainability in a real-world context. You could even tie in subjects like maths (measuring garden plots, calculating growth rates) and art (drawing the plants or making garden decorations).
Involve the Whole School: Gardening shouldn’t just be limited to a few pupils. Let different year groups take turns tending to the garden, or even start a gardening club. Involving the whole school community could also spark interest in parents and carers, who might be willing to donate tools, plants, or time.
Seasonal Focus: Introduce pupils to what grows best in different seasons. A seasonal focus keeps the gardening exciting and relevant throughout the year. Plus, it teaches them about the cycle of life in nature.
Sustainability Education: Gardening can help pupils understand the importance of sustainability, such as composting, water conservation, and growing food with fewer pesticides. They’ll learn not only how to grow, but also why it’s important for the planet.
Celebrating Harvests: When the garden produces fruit, vegetables, or flowers, celebrate it! You could have a harvest festival, sell the produce to raise funds for the school, or even host a small tasting event.
Entrants to this year’s annual Schools Gardening Competition will be asked to opt in if they wish to be considered for a Biodiversity Award alongside the existing awards. Click Here to Enter the 2025 Schools Competition Click here to see the competition Ts & Cs
Judging for this year's Schools Gardening Competition will take place, by prior arrangement,
during weeks commencing 16 & 23 June 2025