Preparing a Garden Is Learning Too

When adults think about children’s gardening activities, we often jump directly to planting seeds.

But preparing the garden is part of the learning too.

In Bronx Special Kids’ garden-bed preparation lesson, children help weed, rake, clear debris, explore garden tools, and decorate the garden space. They can choose different jobs and use gloves, adapted tools, sensory supports, AAC visuals, and breaks as needed.

These simple tasks create opportunities to practice fine and gross motor skills, following visual sequences, making choices, working alongside others, identifying tools, sensory exploration, environmental responsibility, and ownership of a shared space.

Not every child needs to pull weeds with their hands.

One child might rake. Another might carry a small container. Another might decorate a garden bed. Someone else might point to the next tool or help identify what belongs in the garden.

All of those roles matter.

Gardening does not begin when the seed goes into the ground. It begins when children learn that they have a place in caring for the space around them.

Source note: Adapted from Day 2, Preparing Our Garden Beds, in the Sensory Gardening Curriculum Packet.