Our Gardening Club was a huge success and a wonderful learning experience for all the children involved. From the very beginning, the excitement was clear as we worked together to explore the garden and pots, ready to discover how plants grow and what they need to thrive.
We began by talking about the important things plants need to stay alive: healthy soil, plenty of sunlight, and just the right amount of water. The children learned that flowers cannot survive without these essentials. We discussed how too little water can cause plants to dry out, while too much can drown their roots. We also explored how sunlight helps plants make their own food and grow strong.
One of the most exciting parts of the session was investigating the soil. The children were encouraged to touch it, crumble it between their fingers, and describe how it felt. We asked, “Is all soil the same?” and discovered that some soil feels sandy and dry, while other soil feels dark, rich, and slightly damp. This hands-on exploration helped them understand that different plants grow better in different types of soil.
The sensory experiences continued as the children moved to the front garden and looked at some of the plants, we gently touched the leaves and petals of flowers, noticing whether they felt smooth, soft, waxy, or rough, building their vocabulary while engaging their senses. This allowed them to truly explore the textures and smells of the garden in a meaningful way.
We were very lucky to have grandparents join us. A highlight of the club was when each child potted their very first vegetable — an onion. They carefully filled their pots with soil, counted out the bulbs and placed the onion bulbs inside, and gently placed them in the greenhouse. There were lovey discussions on why we must protect the seeds and bulbs in such early days of them starting to grow. The children came up with some fantastic ideas of which animals will likely like to eat the seeds and bulbs. We spoke about growing our own food and why choosing seasonal produce that is grown closer to home can be a healthier and more sustainable choice. The children were excited to think that something they planted themselves could one day be eaten at home.
We ended Garden Club by tidying the flower beds, cleaning up the garden area, working together to clear away old leaves and debris. We all made sure they were neat and ready for new growth when the warmer weather arrives. The children worked together responsibly, showing care and pride in their garden space.
Overall, the children had lots of fun while learning valuable lessons about nature, responsibility, sustainability, and healthy living. Gardening Club was a great success, full of hands-on discovery, teamwork, and joyful learning.