My Own Garden

•    Learn about sustainable gardening practices and the benefits of growing your own food.
•    Develop teamwork through planning and planting their own garden.

-    Gather all participants in a garden or outdoor space.
-    Explain the concept of sustainable gardening in simple terms, emphasizing the benefits of growing your own food.
-    Divide them into small groups or pairs.
-    Provide each group with a designated area for planting, along with a selection of seeds or seedlings, gardening tools (like small shovels or trowels), and soil.
-    Guide everyone in planning their garden layout, considering factors like sunlight, spacing, and watering needs.
-    Assist them in planting their seeds or seedlings according to their plan, encouraging teamwork and cooperation.
-    After planting, discuss the importance of caring for their garden, including watering, weeding, and watching for pests.
-    Encourage participants to take turns caring for the garden and observing its growth over time.
-    If land its not available, you can turn the activity into a workshop to create “home gardens”, showing how some foods can easily be grown on the window sills like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnKe4dowdUk.

-    Gather all participants together to reflect on their gardening experience through the lens of health.
-    Ask questions 7-10 years old. 
•    How do you think growing your own food can help you stay healthy?
•    What are some of the nutritious foods you planted in your garden?
•    How does spending time outdoors and being active in the garden make you feel?
•    What did you learn about teamwork while planting your garden, and how does teamwork relate to staying healthy?
Questions for 10-15 years old:
•    How does sustainable gardening contribute to a healthier lifestyle for individuals and communities?
•    What are some of the health benefits associated with growing your own food?
•    In what ways did teamwork play a role in planning and planting the garden, and how does collaboration contribute to overall well-being?
•    How can sustainable gardening practices promote environmental health and support human health at the same time?

Questions for 15+:
•    How does sustainable gardening contribute to promoting physical health, mental well-being, and social connections?
•    What are some of the potential health benefits of consuming locally grown, organic produce?
•    How can involvement in community gardening projects foster a sense of belonging, purpose, and resilience?
•    In what ways does sustainable gardening intersect with broader public health and environmental sustainability goals?
-    Encourage everyone to make connections between gardening, healthy eating habits, physical activity, and teamwork.

1.    Seeds or seedlings of various vegetables or herbs
2.    Gardening tools (small shovels, trowels)
3.    Soil
4.    Watering cans or hoses
5.    Markers or labels for identifying planted areas