Every Garden Tells a Story

Who hasn’t walked past a schoolyard and noticed the sounds of children playing, squeals of delight and the blur of kids racing back and forth, interacting with each other and the natural world around them?

A seed of wonder

Children interacting with nature is pure magic. Many recall their own childhoods through mental snapshots of outdoor pursuits, whether swimming in a local lake, climbing trees, gathering flowers and leaves, or breathing in the smells of nature, both pungent and nostalgic. 

What if every schoolyard included a living classroom? The Plant a Seed & See What Grows Foundation brings this dream to life. Roland Gahler, visionary and primary benefactor, founded the Plant a Seed & See What Grows Foundation to help connect children to nature by teaching them how to plant, cultivate, and harvest their own gardens. 

As described by Gahler, “The focus was on planting and seeing what grows. It’s a metaphor for stimulating children’s imagination and helping them see the possibilities in their own little world.”

The program focuses primarily on students in kindergarten through grade three, although its resources can benefit learners of all ages. All program resources are provided free of charge to schools, libraries, and daycare centres, and even shipping is covered. 

Since its inception, the Plant a Seed & See What Grows Foundation has reached more than 8,000 schools and libraries across the country and is now extending its reach to daycares nationwide.  

Reconnecting children with food and nature

We live in a time where children are exposed to food marketing messages at an alarming rate, with many becoming familiar with food brands before they can understand where their food actually comes from. School gardens offer a powerful way to bridge the gap between kids and their food, connecting them with every stage of the journey, from seed to table.

As screen time increases and outdoor play declines, immersive experiences have become more important than ever. Research suggests that children who participate in gardening are more likely to try and enjoy fruits and vegetables, in part because they develop a personal connection to what they grow. 

A garden transforms learning from something students simply hear about into something they can see, touch, and nurture. As seedlings emerge, flowers bloom, and vegetables mature, children gain a firsthand understanding of natural cycles while building observation skills and curiosity. They also become emotionally invested in the outcome. Executive Director Dennis Charland notes, “They’re excited to come to the classroom every day and see the progress.”

Growing healthier eaters

A carrot pulled from the soil or a cucumber plucked from the vine becomes more than just a snack. It becomes something earned, understood, and far more likely to be tasted. This is the magic of a school garden. 

This hands-on involvement builds practical food literacy, helping students understand not only what they are eating, but why it matters. Tasting sessions and cooking activities extend the experience far beyond the garden bed, helping transform freshly harvested food into lifelong skills and healthy habits. 

 “When kids are involved in growing and preparing their own food, it helps them understand that old adage: you are what you eat,” says Charland. Over time, those small moments of participation can quietly reshape eating habits.

Nature as a living classroom

School gardens teach far more than where food comes from. They become a multifaceted real-world learning ground for children, strengthening their science, math, and social skills. Outdoor, experiential learning transforms abstract lessons into memorable experiences that deepen students’ connection to what they’re learning in the classroom.

Watching a tomato gradually ripen on a vine is far more engaging than reading about photosynthesis in a textbook. “The children are so excited to come into our classroom each day and see how their plants have changed! They feel like scientists! The books that accompanied the seeds are simply beautiful and have provided a springboard for meaningful conversations!” notes Jessica S., Assiniboine Avenue Elementary School, New Brunswick. 

Tending a school garden helps students understand the interconnectedness of food, pollinators, soil, weather, and the ecosystems that sustain them.  Along the way, they develop a deeper awareness and appreciation for the environment, and their role in protecting it. 

Managing a school garden also encourages collaboration, cooperation, and understanding among classmates. Between sowing seeds, weeding beds, and harvesting produce, students learn to communicate, recognize one another’s strengths, find meaning in diversity, and share responsibilities while working toward a common goal. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a classroom to care for a garden.

“We learn in different ways. Some kids do better with hands-on learning than academic book learning,” explains Charland. “Outdoor experiential learning creates opportunities for every learner to thrive. For students who may struggle in traditional classroom settings, school gardens offer an engaging, flexible, and tangible experience where confidence grows and learning comes alive.” 

Supporting mental health, confidence, and belonging

Just as every plant is unique, so is every student. Gardens become nurturing spaces where both plants and students can thrive. Charland notes “Some children are shy and reserved in the classroom, yet when they’re out in the garden, they take a leadership role.” A recent study suggests that school gardens foster social learning and feelings of happiness, pride, and wonder among the students. 

Caring for a garden is a lesson in patience, empathy, responsibility, and conscientiousness, as plants need attention, time, and care to flourish. Spending time in school gardens can promote calmness, improve mood, build confidence, and strengthen sense of self as kids learn to overcome challenges in order to reap the rewards of their hard work. “I had students who sent me photos of how their plants were doing in their own gardens over the summer. … A school garden produces more than just plants, it inspires a cycle of learning and wonder,” recalls NP, visual art teacher and art club sponsor, Fleetwood Park Secondary, BC.

Overcoming barriers: every school can start small

Creating a school garden doesn’t have to be an overwhelming or expensive activity. It just takes a passionate individual to spark a movement that connects kids with nature and nourishes a community.” To establish a school garden, you need a champion,” says Charland. Be the change: bring the garden to life by connecting with those around you. 

Partnering with parents, grandparents, PACs, natural health retailers, and local businesses can help combat common challenges like summer maintenance planning and financial costs. Take advantage of the supports available to you. 

The Plant a Seed & See What Grows Foundation provides free educational resources and even covers shipping. As Jessica Roy from Toronto Public Library notes, “[Plant a Seed & See What Grows Foundation’s] book-based program is a perfect pairing for library programs. They provided us with high quality program materials, including colourful picture books, seed packets, and activity booklets, all of which helped us bring families together to learn more about gardening and explore the seed-to-table cycle. Kids were drawn in by the readings and delighted to plant their own seeds to take home and watch grow.” Additionally, there are grants available specifically for classroom gardens.

Planting seeds for the future

“Many of our students do not have access to garden spaces or fresh produce. This connection to food, growing, and value of our land and resources, has had a positive impact, and I believe it will have long-term benefit for our school community,” says CH, principal at Royal Heights Elementary. 

Every school garden begins with a single seed. Nurture the next generation by reaching out to your school’s principal or PAC, and visit the Plant a Seed & See What Grows Foundation’s website (seewhatgrows.org), or apply for resources and grants. “The planting activities in the classroom can leave a lifetime impression when children see what comes out of the black dirt,” says Charland. A school garden doesn’t just grow vegetables. It grows curiosity, confidence, community, and hope.

This article was originally published in the September 2026 issue of alive magazine.