Beyond the ordinary

 

Bed 1 – Pizza Garden

Students learn where common pizza ingredients come from.

 

Bed 2 – Pollinator Garden

Attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects

 

Bed 3 – Vegetable Garden

Easy crops for children to grow and harvest.

 

Bed 4 – Bible & Sensory Garden

Plants mentioned in Scripture and plants with interesting textures and scents.

 

Learning Activities by Grade

Pre-K–5

Seed planting

Watering plants

Identifying colors and shapes

Learning "plant parts"

1st–2nd Grade

Insect observation

Measuring plant growth

Harvesting herbs and vegetables

3rd–5th Grade

Soil science

Composting

Pollination studies

Keeping garden journals

Simple agricultural economics (farm stand simulation)

 

Garden Scriptures

Genesis 2:15 – "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."

Psalm 104:14 – "He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate."

1 Corinthians 3:6 – "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow."

Galatians 6:9 – "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest."

This layout provides flowers, herbs, vegetables, pollinator habitat, Bible lessons, science experiments, and hands-on agriculture experiences suitable for all grades in your Christian academy.

 

For Georgia Summers

For vegetables in Atlanta-area heat, gardeners commonly find 40–50% shade ideal for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, lettuce, and herbs.

 

Hoop Installation Tip

Leave 12–18 inches of space between the shade material and the plants. Drape the cloth over hoops and secure it with clips rather than letting it touch the foliage directly. 

Sunny Garden Market +1

For your Pre-K through 5th grade garden, I would lean toward natural burlap/jute because it is inexpensive, easy to explain to students as a plant-based material, and biodegradable. Coconut fiber is more attractive and longer-lasting but costs significantly more.