4-H Project Green Teacher

If you have never used Herb gardening as an educational tool, then you are in for a treat. Many Herbs can be easy to grow indoors or out and can be used to teach science, social studies, nutrition, health, mathematics and more.

Herbs are defined by the Herb Society of America (based in Kirtland, Ohio) as plants that have been valued in the past or in the present for their flavor, industrial or economic use, as a dye, for fragrance, as an insect repellent, and sometimes for their medicinal qualities.

Some Herbs that are easy to grow from seed include Chives, Mint, Lemon balm, Thyme, Basil, Dill, Marigolds and Nasturtiums.

A number of Herbs also have the added benefit of attracting butterflies, birds and other pollinators to your garden, providing needed habitat for many species.

Here are the top ten tips for growing Herbs: https://cfaes.osu.edu/news/articles/horticulture-educator-offers-top-10-tips-for-planting-herbs.

To start kids thinking about Herbs you can do a mini scavenger hunt with either products that contain an Herb flavor such as toothpaste (Mint) or shampoo (Rosemary, etc.) or you can actually bring in Herbs and have the youth touch, taste and smell the plants looking for certain qualities (for example: fuzzy (Lamb's Ear) or lemon-tasting (some Basil and Mint) https://wimastergardener.org/article/lemon-scented-plants/.

An easy activity to do with youth is making infused water with Herbs. Check out: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-5363.

You can also present a lesson plan where the students make their own Herbal tea. You can find inspiration at: https://kidsgardening.org/lesson-plans-grow-your-own-herbal-tea/.

For information about selecting, using and storing fresh Herbs go to: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5520.

National Agriculture in the Classroom has a high school lesson plan at: https://www.agclassroom.org/teacher/matrix/lessonplan.cfm?lpid=114

Many resources can be found at: http://www.herbsociety.org/hsa-learn/intro-to-herbs/hsa-gardening-for-kids/resources-for-kids.html

Safety is always important when using Herbs. Make sure you know the Herb and its uses, identifying the parts of the plant that are safe to use with children. Correctly identify the plant, then wash it carefully if it will be touched or consumed by your students. Teach children never to put plants from the garden into their mouth until told to do so by an adult. Also, keep in mind that some, but not all Herbs, have research-based medicinal purposes. Do not promote the use of an Herb to treat an illness or condition without sound scientific knowledge. You can mention that some people have historically thought the Herb was used to cure certain things, but that there is no scientific proof (if that is the case).

In Gahanna, Ohio, located in Franklin County, you can find the Ohio Herb Education Center. Check them out at: http://www.gahanna.gov/ohio-herb-education-center/

Name: Carmen Mendoza

School: Grandview Schools

Educational Position: Spanish teacher

How long have you been engaged in school gardening?

I have been involved with school gardening for two years.

How did you get started? I had plants in my classroom for some years and the students really liked them. One day, I told them that maybe we should have a garden club and the students really liked the idea. Our principal let us use an empty classroom and we started growing vegetables and house plants. Later, the city loaned us a plot at the Wallace Gardens. Eventually, the students thought that we should be closer to the school so we pursued a space and funding. There is a huge initiative for school gardens in the nation.

What was the most memorable moment you had teaching your students in the garden? I think my most memorable moment was when I was distressed with the students because we had so many weeds at the community garden. When the students told me that they did not weed because they did not know which plants were the weeds, I realized that one can't assume that students know these things. I laughed and learned that sometimes you have to teach each and every step.

Why is school gardening an important educational tool for teachers?

So much learning happens in the garden. It can be used for science, art, literature and health. Plus, students need to get away from the excessive technology focus in our society so that they can have a balanced education. In the garden, students learn everyday useful life skills. They learn to appreciate the food they eat, and in a garden it is peaceful and spacious. Gardens are all about potential and possibility. Students learn that taking care of a garden is demanding, but it is also forgiving. It is not homework that you can turn in late because plants can't wait. You do get another chance to do it better, though.

Our school garden is about ready to be used by more teachers as a learning lab. As we developed the garden, we did not involve everyone. We have a garden club at the middle school and high school that has been doing most of the work in the garden, but we are taking a small step to include other classes. Also, the AP Environmental Science teacher is planning to start lessons in the garden.

What advice do you have for those wanting to start a school garden?

• It is important to reach out to all possible community organizations. Organizations want students to take the lead in their projects, so, make the garden project student-driven as much as possible with you overseeing it. We were so grateful to have received grants from the Grandview Heights Marble Cliff Education Foundation and the Kiwanis.
• Have a plan of action. Set goals for each year.
• Find people in your school who have skills for building and are willing to lend a hand.
• Be tenacious and passionate. If you are waiting to get paid for all your work, it will not happen. Plants don't wait, they grow anyway. You have to remind yourself that you do this for the students and for their future appreciation of the earth and the food it provides.
• Donate food to those who need it. Also, let the students enjoy their own harvest, then they will want to do more.
• I think a lot of learning happens in a garden without a lesson plan. If everything is scripted, it limits student inquiry and discovery.

• Give thanks to everyone who helps you. Get your garden featured in the local paper and thank everyone involved in your success. Let your benefactors know about your progress often. Many people assume that gardens will not succeed, but if you show the world it is flourishing they notice.
• Use really good materials for building because they have to last. Always think about possible dangers to younger students. (For example: no sharp spikes or loose wire ties).

How are you planning for long term sustainability of the garden?

• We are hoping that the PTO will continue to give us a yearly stipend to help us buy seeds and other consumable items.

• We found that we can do a community online go-fund-me fundraising event.

• We grow small plants from cuttings that we sell to students and community.

• Currently, we have all of our beds and major structures in place so we only have to focus on consumables for next few years.

4-H Project Green Teacher is a school garden newsletter for teachers, afterschool personnel and others engaged in school gardening. It is created by Ohio State University Extension personnel working in the area of 4-H youth development in Franklin County. 4-H is the largest youth development organization in the United States, and is administered by land grant universities in every state.

Email: hogan.239@osu.edu
Website: franklin.osu.edu
Location: 530 West Spring Street, Suite 100, Columbus, OH, 43215 USA
Phone: 614-866-6900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectgreenteacher

CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information, visit cfaesdiversity.osu.edu. For an accessible format of publication, visit cfaes.osu.edu/accessibility.