The number one reason this community exists is to support parents and teachers build the learning capacity of their gardens and outdoor green spaces. If you feel like screen time is dominating the classroom or sitting children down for hours has become the unfortunate norm, this is the place to be. If you want students and children to build or reconnect with nature (for the myriad reasons it’s proven to be beneficial) then you are in the right place. I’m curious - what is your experience with school or home Learnign Gardens? How do you use them?

This week I’m back in a traditional classroom, teaching. TBH it’s hard. I see the looks on some of my students faces - that look of disengaged potential. Whilst I do my best to organise things that are fun and engaging and stimulating for young minds, sometimes the confines of the walled classroom just don’t help. So what did I do differently, yesterday, you ask? I took them outside and into the garden of course! The shift in mood (mine included) was palpable! Eyes and demeanour went from low to high. The students began to self organise as we set out on a mission to create mandalas (a favourite of mine) out of found materials that lifted our spirits. Sometimes it’s that easy. This is something I want to remind us all of. The simple fact is that schools aren’t really designed for humans. But gardens are - They feed our souls and help to replenish depleted minds. Just seeing the leaves sway in the wind and being able to interact with different textures and flowers and patterns and insects and the wind! Anyway - consider this your reminder to create human environments for your students. They need it more than you think. So do you. Sam

Hey all - check out the new classroom opened called; QUESTS This classroom focuses on Learning experiences/Garden projects that can be done for learners of all aged across the Australian Curriculum. Don’t worry though - even if your not too worried about following particular curriculum codes or standard based learning, you can do any of these projects for fun! Let me know what you think!

The question of where to start is always a tricky one to answer because, well… it depends. Context is everything in gardens. Particularly gardens that are being designed and grown specifically for learning and student interaction. This is something I want to speak more on in the community and I want to ask you guys for help! Where would you start and why?

If you’re curious about what types of materials and infrastructure is needed or could be used in a LEARNING GARDEN - check out this video. I walk through a bunch of the (in my opinion) “must haves” for INTERACTIVE, system based Learning Gardens. If you are interested in learning more about various costs, brands, tool types or anything else related to what actually creates the best Learning Gardens, let me know in the comments 👇