Garden-based learning promotes environmental awareness, health, and wellness across the school community and beyond. In this article, we review the literature on the benefits of school gardening and describe firsthand experiences for garden success. By sharing lessons learned, our aim is to inspire school nurses to join forces with like-minded teachers and staff or take the lead to build capacity in their school for gardening and a green culture dedicated to the conservation of natural resources.
AlexanderG. K. (2020). Supporting food literacy among children and adolescents: Undergraduate students apply public health nursing principles in clinical practice. Journal of Professional Nursing, 36(6), 616-624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2020.08.018
2.
AtchleyR. A.StrayerD. L.AtchleyP. (2012). Creativity in the wild: Improving creative reasoning through immersion in natural settings. PLOS ONE, 7(12), Article e51474. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0051474
BurtK. G.KochP.ContentoI. (2017). Implementing and sustaining school gardens by integrating the curriculum. Health Behavior and Policy Review, 4(5), 427-435. https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.4.5.2.
HarveyD. J.MontgomeryL. N.HarveyH.HallF.GangeA. C.WatlingD. (2020). Psychological benefits of a biodiversity-focused outdoor learning program for primary school children. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 67(February), 101381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.101381
7.
KuoM.BarnesM.JordanC. (2019). Do experiences with nature promote learning? Converging evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 305. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00305
8.
LackeyN. Q.TysorD. A.McNayG. D.JoynerL.BakerK. H.HodgeC. (2019). Mental health benefits of nature-based recreation: A systematic review. Annals of Leisure Research, 24(3), 379-393. https://doi.org/10.1080/11745398.2019.1655459
McCormickR. (2017). Does access to green space impact the mental well-being of children: A systematic review. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 37(November), 3-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2017.08.027
RayR.FisherD. R.Fisher-MalteseC. (2016). School gardens in the city: Does environmental equity help close the achievement gap?Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race, 13(2), 379-395. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742058X16000229
Savoie-RoskosM. R.WengreenH.DurwardC. (2017). Increasing fruit and vegetable intake among children and youth through gardening-based interventions: A systematic review. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 117(2), 240-250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2016.10.014
16.
SelwayC. A.MillsJ. G.WeinsteinP.SkellyC.YadavS.LoweA.BreedM. F.WeyrichL. S. (2020). Transfer of environmental microbes to the skin and respiratory tract of humans after urban green space exposure. Environment International, 145(December), 106084. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.106084
17.
TillmannS.TobinD.AvisonW.GillilandJ. (2018). Mental health benefits of interactions with nature in children and teenagers: A systematic review. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 72(10), 958-966. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2018-210436