School Gardens
School gardens provide an excellent opportunity for teachers to extend EEI lessons outside of the classroom to reinforce concepts about nutrient cycles, food production, decomposition, water conservation and more.
Agriculture in the EEI Curriculum
Throughout the K-12 EEI Curriculum students learn about the importance of agriculture in California. Starting in kindergarten, students learn that fruits and vegetables come from farms and gardens, not just the grocery store. The environmental education curriculum provides lessons throughout high school.
Visit the California EEI website
Compost and Mulch in the Garden
Both new and established gardens benefit from compost and mulch. Many schools purchase compost when they first establish their garden, then start making their own. You can use grass clippings, yard trimmings, and even cafeteria food scraps. While some schools choose to make compost piles in the garden, others compost with worm boxes right in the classroom!
- Compost and its benefits: Learn how your school garden can benefit from the use of compost.
- How to make your own compost pile. Guidelines for creating a compost pile at your school, just like building a backyard compost pile at home.
- Worm composting. Learn how worms can eat your garbage, even in a classroom!
- CalRecycle Compost Publications. A variety of publications relating to compost and mulch.
Recycled-Content Garden Supplies
- Recycled-Content Garden Supplies directory: You can find manufacturers of recycled-content products, including compost bins, garden benches, lumber for raised beds, and seedling starter pots.