In addition to the specific sites listed below, a wealth of youth gardening information is available on State Land Grant University County Extension websites and on Botanic Garden websites. Please check your county extension agent for local growing conditions. Teachers and leaders of garden-based programs, please note the sites that offer grants for free plants or materials.
American Horticultural Society
www.ahs.org/youth_gardening
The American Horticultural Society provides extensive resources for parents, teachers, and youth garden leaders. The "Growing Connection School Kit" is designed for teachers to grow vegetables as a science-based activity. Their site offers a National Registry of Children's Gardens, Children's Gardening Programs at Public Gardens and Horticultural Societies, Formal Educational Programs and Curriculum Guides, as well as Sources of Children's Gardening Activities. Internet links and resources offer gardening education for all skill levels. You can also connect to great gardens of the world.
Life-Lab
www.lifelab.org
Since 1979 this California non-profit has worked with over 1,000 schools nationwide in developing Life-Lab school gardens. The Life Lab Science Program is committed to environmental stewardship by promoting science and garden-based education for all learners. They have 20 years experience in developing curricula and materials for school gardens. Life Lab is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization.
National Gardening Association
www.kidsgardening.com
The award winning National Gardening Association's web site offers a wealth of information for parents and teachers. "Digging Deeper" offers a Parent's Primer, classroom stories, gardening activities, and kids gardening FAQ's. The online store features children's gardening supplies for home or school. The Teacher's Room page offers classroom stories, activities, and advice. Be sure to visit "Grants and Resources" to learn of grants or awards available to your school. Check out the "Resource Directory" for a searchable database of classroom gardening materials recommended by topic or by geographical region. Don't miss "Highlights" where you will see how gardens bring learning to life in schools by visiting several school garden web sites. You are then welcomed to let NGA know about your school garden. The National Gardening Association is a 501(C) non-profit organization.
North Carolina State University
www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer
At the North Carolina State University website click on "Youth Horticulture" and in the 4-H Youth section select "Horticulture On the Internet" where main headings are "Plant Groups," "Garden Topics," "Sources of Information," and "Miscellaneous." In this "Miscellaneous" section click on "Youth Hort" for a goldmine of youth gardening fact sheets, activities, puzzles, games and lesson plans.
Texas A&M
aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu
Click on the "Just For Kids" section of this Texas A&M website. "KinderGARDEN" has a fun page for kids, activities, and tips for gardening with children. "JMG" (Junior Master Gardener) offers the "Kids Zone" full of activities including compost critter identification. You may also choose activities from chapters or topics of textbook level one or level two. Excellent youth gardening course curriculums can be purchased at this site.
University of Illinois Extension
www.urbanext.uiuc.edu
"The Great Plant Escape" is just one of the many pages for kids on this University of Illinois Extension site. Click on the "Just for Kids" section for "A Walk in the Woods" (with sound), pages for the secret life of trees, a first garden, and insects. There are teachers' guides as well.
Viva! Garden
www.vivagarden.com
You'll find plenty of information to grow your best garden ever, including suggested favorite garden plans, the best companion plants for your favorite flowers, along with recipes and useful tips. Don't miss "Garden for Schools" to learn how to participate in Viva! free plants for schools. They provide tips for starting your school garden, managing an effective outdoor classroom, teacher resources, and photo galleries. "Plant Finder" is a searchable database that provides information on any plant they grow. Search topics include attracts bees, attracts butterflies, and attracts hummingbirds.
