Gardening & Nature Resources

  "Every time we plant a seed or a seedling with a child, we foster curiosity, wonder, and the foundation for a lifelong love of nature"

Let’s Start a Garden Presentations on March 24 & April 29 (recordings and Slideshows)

Let's Start A Garden Part 1 Slidedeck (March 24, 2025) 

Recording of March 24th Let’s Start a Garden Part 1 Session

April 29th Webinar Recording - Part 2 here.

Succession Gardening Slideshow
Seed Libraries & RTG Gardening & Nature Resources Slideshow

Gardening + Nature Resource List

Free Gardening/Nature Resources: Curricular Guides, 55+ Activities & More 

free how-to for designing & implementing a preschool garden in various early childhood environments: 
https://www.growschoolgarden.org/

Curriculum Guides “FREE, except One”

> Early Childhood Education Lessons and Activities - KidsGardening

> Grow It, Try It, Like It! Nutrition Education Kit Featuring MyPlate

> 18 Session Gardening Plan PowerPoint

> JMG Early Childhood Learn, Grow, Eat and GO! ($56)

> Growing MInds EC Gardening Lesson Plans

> SAGE is a free, garden based, outdoor learning curriculum that emphasizes physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption using the plant life cycle as a metaphor for the human body and is designed for 3-5 year old’s at Early Care and Education Centers. SAGE is adaptable and meets NAEYC learning standards.

“Why Garden with Young Children” Booklet

Includes benefits, learning concepts, objectives, and vocabulary to assist with planning your garden, gardening activities with young children as well as writing the gardening mini-grant.

  Why Garden with Young Children Booklet - English

  ¿Por qué cultivar un jardín con niños pequeños? - Español

GARDENING & Nature RESOURCES:

Preschool Gardening Family Engagement Ideas

Family Engagement with Farm to ECE Gardening and Cooking Songs, Books, and Tips for Families Farm to ECE Resources for At-Home Activities

Plants for Pre-K Gardens - KidsGardening

Growing Guide - Edible Flowers

Container Gardening for Kids Topic: projects & crafts, edibles, flowers, getting started

Nature Art Ideas fo​r Toddlers and Preschoolers​

Container Gardening: Strawberries, Tomatoes, Kale / 19 Preschool Gardening Activities / Insect, Tree and Nature Scavenger Hunts

Growing Herbs

(Herb tip: grow any mint, including Lemon Balm, which is in the Herb family) in a pot because their root systems will spread and take over the garden. Young children love Chocolate Mint and Basil! :)

Resources: Let's Build!

Make a Worm Composting Bin
Build a Friendship Fort
Plant a Sunflower House

🌿 Non-Poisonous Plants Safe for Preschool Classrooms

Growing Creativity: How Art and Gardening Inspire Eco-Social Learning for Ages 3-5

Research from Finland shows that combining visual arts and garden pedagogy fosters creativity, environmental awareness, and eco-social knowledge in children ages 3-5. Through drawing, storytelling, and nature-inspired art, young learners strengthen their bond with nature while developing creative thinking and responsible environmental actions.