For successful growth, gardens should be located in a sunny area. At least 6 – 8 hours of direct sunlight is recommended.

As cold snaps occur in the winter, it is important to protect the garden from frost. Lightweight fabric can help protect plants from the freezing temperatures.

A number of garden curriculums and lessons are available. Many of these can help with planning and incorporating garden activities and lessons within your classroom.

Add a lending library to your garden to house books about gardening and wellness. Or, keep these books on hand in your classroom, library or community center as a resource for gardeners.

Composting is a natural biological process that breakdowns organic material under aerobic conditions into stable compost. It promotes healthy plant growth and restores soil vitality.

Roof water run off goes into the barrel. A screen cover keeps out mosquitoes and debris. Attach a hose to the spigot to water your garden.

Watering

Watering your garden is essential for a healthy harvest. However, it does not have to be complicated if you know your soil and plants. Consider adding a rain barrel to collect rain water for more sustainable gardening.

Watering your garden is essential for a healthy harvest. However, it does not have to be complicated if you know your plants and soil, as well as follow some basic practices, such as watering at the roots and watering in the morning. Consider adding a rain barrel to collect rain water for more sustainable gardening.

Pollinators are responsible for assisting over 80% of the world's flowering plants. Without them, humans and wildlife wouldn't have much to eat or look at.

Having the right tools on hand to get your garden going and looking good for the entire season is important. These links will help you determine which tools and garden supplies you need for your garden.

Not ready to plant a garden in a raised bed? Consider container gardening for small spaces or individual classes as a great way to get started.

Herbs are an excellent way to season foods without adding extra salt, sugar or fat. The bouquet of flavors you can create by combining herbs will leave your mouth watering and wanting more.

For raised planters, use long lasting materials, such as cedar, composite lumber, brick, stone or redwood as they are more resistant to weathering. Raised beds should not exceed more than three to four feet in width to allow children to access plants easily. A nutrient-rich soil will help your garden thrive.

Knowing what to plant when for the best harvest will make your garden bountiful of healthy options.

The nutritional content, freshness, and flavor that vegetables possess depend upon the stage of maturity and the time of day at which they are harvested. Harvest vegetables during the cool part of the morning, and process or store them as soon as possible. If processing must be delayed, cool the vegetables in ice water or crushed ice, and store them in the refrigerator to preserve flavor and quality.

A wide variety of fruit producing trees do well in North Carolina. They are a wonderful addition to any yard, but do require proper soil preparation, site selection and planting to thrive. Plant them in groups of at least two to ensure they bare fruit. Explore these links to learn what to plant based on where you live in NC.

Blackberries, blueberries, muscadine grapes and strawberries are among the best choices of fruits and fruit bushes to plant in NC. Choose a sunny and well drained location. Also, many varieties of fruit bushes require cross-pollination and will need to be planted in pairs of more than one variety in order to bare fruit. Consider covering them with mesh to protect the fruit from hungry critters, such as birds.

Gardening is known for its benefits in multiple dimensions of wellness, including physical and mental well-being. To insure you experience all the benefits of gardening, remember to also be safe in the garden.

Being physically active is important not only for our overall fitness but also for our overall health. It helps to reduce the risk of certain diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers as well as slows the progression of some diseases. Recommendations vary by age and physical condition. The key is to remain active for a long, healthy life.

Learn More about Physical Activity

To help achieve 60 minutes of activity a day, kids may choose to ride their bikes to school. This is a great physical activity but must be done safely. Bike safety rules should always be followed.

Learn More about the Bicycle Safety

Everyone enjoys a lush garden – including critters. Fencing is critical to deterring animals – large and small – from enjoying your garden before you can. Erect fencing before you start to plant anything. Type of fencing will depend on the animals in your area. Chicken wire fencing may be enough for small animals, such as rabbits and woodchucks. Electric fencing may be necessary for deterring burrowers and crafty critters, such as raccoons. If you have deer, you may need to consider tall fencing. Before you plant anything, think about the animals in your area and select the appropriate fencing.

Learn More about Fencing

When planning a garden, it’s important to consider people of all abilities. Wide hard-packed paths, raised beds, and standing planters are important considerations for people in wheelchairs and with disabilities. Building an accessible garden will ensure that everyone can enjoy the garden.

Learn more about building an accessible garden