We use our gardens during science classes. Students explore life cycles, soil, nutrients, energy flow, native/non-native species, seeds, seed saving techniques, designing experiments, and a wealth of other topics. Students are guided in careful observations and record keeping. They are given time to be still and quiet, to relax and reflect, to write and to sketch. This past winter Middle School students designed a long-term experiment entitled "DIG IT", which went from October through May. The purpose of the experiment was to compare single dug and double dug beds. Students worked hard all year: planting cover crops crimson clover and fava beans, venturing outside in a variety of weather conditions to collect data (remember all the snow we had this year?), covering and uncovering hoop beds (we often had to remove ice!), creating graphs, interpreting data, calculating yield, drawing conclusions, and brainstorming ideas for future experiments. This has been the most involved and long-term experiment we have had in the gardens yet.
Prior to summer break all science classes have designated garden beds to mulch and paths to cover with wood chips. This greatly reduces the need for watering and weeding.

The population of our school comes from four surrounding counties. It is a specialized school for students with learning differences. Many of our students travel an hour or more to get to school. Because of the travel distance it has been challenging to recruit volunteers for summer maintenance. We have received grants that include hiring two people part time to assist the science teacher.

The gardens provide numerous opportunities for social interaction and growth. During fall, students have fun gathering crops grown all summer. We often eat pickings right in the garden! However, the bulk of crops are prepared for a Harvest Feast. The Harvest Feast is a time for the entire school to gather, give thanks and celebrate the harvest. In spring radishes, lettuces peas, and carrots are harvested and a salad is shared by all in our circle in the garden.

Students have been instrumental in nearly every aspect of developing the gardens: removing grass, planting seeds, laying paths, building beds, and creating rich soil. We have had family days. Students were transplanted in our gardens, while others were given as gifts to teachers. Eleventh generation Polish Tomato Plants, from seeds collected last fall were grown. Students’ ideas are honored and often implemented giving them ownership of the gardens.

Students learn invaluable knowledge in gardens: maintaining an organic garden, the importance of soil, and maintaining healthy soil. Students learn to handle garden tools properly and work together. They learn that they can grow food, and grow it without use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The most valuable learning that occurs in the garden is a sense of connection. Students become connected to the earth, the soil, the food they eat, and to each other. They understand the cycles of the earth and the flow of healthy energy. They come to realize that the health of their minds, body, and spirit are connected to nurturing soil, food, and peaceful gardens.