This article has been written by Alicia Jordan, a partner of the Alabama Farm to ECE Coalition. Alicia is a dedicated small farmer with a passion for sustainable agriculture and community engagement. As the owner of Boots on the Farm Consulting, LLC, she combines her background as a former early childhood education teacher with her love for the land to nurture growth in both crops and young minds.
September has always held a special place in my heart as an early childhood educator. It’s a time of new beginnings—fresh faces in the classroom, the excitement of a new school year, and the start of cooler weather that breathes new life into our garden. For me, the garden is not just a place to grow plants, but a vibrant classroom where young children can explore, learn, and connect with nature in meaningful ways.
The Magic of September Gardens
September in the garden is a time of transition. The summer crops, like tomatoes and cucumbers, are winding down, making way for fall favorites like pumpkins, kale, and carrots. The garden takes on a different energy, with the air cooler and the days just a bit shorter. This change offers a wonderful opportunity to teach children about the seasons and the cycle of life.
In my experience, young children are naturally curious about the world around them. They’re eager to dig in the dirt, to plant seeds, and to watch as those seeds sprout and grow. The garden provides a hands-on learning environment that engages all their senses. It’s a space where they can learn about responsibility by caring for plants, practice patience as they wait for their crops to grow, and experience the joy of harvesting something they’ve nurtured from a tiny seed.
A September Garden Activity: Planting a Fall Salad Garden
One of my favorite activities to do with children in September is planting a fall salad garden. It’s simple, quick to grow, and the results are delicious! Here’s how we do it:
Materials Needed:
- Garden markers or popsicle sticks
- A small garden bed or large containers
- Rich, well-draining soil
- Seeds for cool-weather greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula, kale)
- A watering can
Steps:
Prepare the Soil: I start by letting the children help me prepare the soil. We loosen it up with small hand tools, removing any weeds and adding compost to enrich the soil. This is a great time to talk about the importance of healthy soil and what plants need to grow.
Plant the Seeds: Next, we carefully plant our seeds. I show the children how to make shallow rows or small holes in the soil, then we sprinkle in the seeds. Each child gets to plant their own section, which gives them a sense of ownership over their little garden plot.
Water the Garden: Once the seeds are in the ground, we gently water them. I encourage the children to be mindful of how much water the plants need—enough to keep the soil moist, but not so much that it becomes waterlogged. This is a perfect opportunity to introduce concepts like measurement and observation.
Label the Rows: We use garden markers or popsicle sticks to label each row with the name of the plant. This not only helps us remember what we planted, but also serves as a literacy activity as the children practice writing the names of the vegetables.
Watch Them Grow: Over the next few weeks, we’ll check on our garden regularly. The children are always amazed at how quickly the greens sprout and grow. We talk about the changes we observe, the different shapes and colors of the leaves, and what each plant needs to thrive.
Harvest and Enjoy: In about 4 to 6 weeks, our salad garden will be ready to harvest. We’ll pick the greens together, wash them, and then enjoy a fresh, healthy snack. It’s a moment of pure joy for the children to eat something they’ve grown themselves.
Why Garden-Based Learning Matters
Gardening with young children is about so much more than just growing plants. It’s about fostering a connection to the natural world, instilling a sense of responsibility, and encouraging curiosity and wonder. In the garden, children learn through experience—they see the results of their efforts, they understand the value of patience, and they develop a deep appreciation for where their food comes from.
As September unfolds, I look forward to watching our garden grow alongside the children. It’s a journey we take together, one that nourishes both their minds and their hearts. If you haven’t yet explored the joys of gardening with young children, I encourage you to give it a try this month. You might just find, as I have, that the garden is the best classroom of all.
