Greenhouses

Benefits of Greenhouse Education

Greenhouse education not only offers life-cycle learning, it allows students to gain confidence while promoting responsibility. Your greenhouse is also a space that allows children to see themselves as nurturers and caregivers. This especially helps children with aggressive behavior and/or impulse-control issues to positively focus their feelings on the growth of their flowers and vegetables.

As children see their plants come to life they begin to understand the connections between their actions and the end results. Seed selection, planting and pruning, watering, temperature and light management, insect interaction and nutritional education are just the beginning of the educational journey on-site greenhouses offer.

Before, after and during the actual growing process children can measure, categorize, sketch, write stories, experiment and converse about the variety of seeds, soils, plants, flowers and bugs found in their greenhouse.

Additional skills children can learn or enhance through greenhouse experiences include teamwork, environmental awareness, estimation skills, time management, hard work and discipline. Overall, the possibilities are endless and we are excited you are considering taking this journey.

Installation and usage consideration

Before a single seed is planted, consider this:

• Greenhouse Goals: What do you want to accomplish by adding a Greenhouse to your educational resources?
• Greenhouse Use: Who will be using the greenhouse and for what specific purpose(s)
• Grade level usage/activities
• Teacher/Administrative usage/activities
• Community involvement/usage
• Scheduling: If using for multiple grade levels/classes/activities/etc., are there time management needs to address?
• Greenhouse size: How many students would you like to have access to your greenhouse at one time?
• Seasonality: Will your greenhouse be used year-round or will there be periods of time where it is left unattended due to weather and/or operation hours?
• Installation: Do you have knowledgeable staff or community members with the skill level necessary to ready the site and install the greenhouse?
• Maintenance: Do you have staff or community members experienced in indoor/outdoor greenhouse gardening, and how much time will they have to dedicate to maintenance/upkeep?
• Staff commitment: Are the necessary people on board with your greenhouse project such as school district, board, faculty and staff.
• Vandalism: Is this a problem in your area? If so, what provisions can be set in place to avoid possible vandal activity?

Budgeting considerations

Before you buy, don't forget to budget for:

• Site preparation
• Greenhouse foundation
• Greenhouse extras such as fans, seating, trays, soil, fertilizer, watering equipment, shading, etc.
• Electricity, heat and water consumption
• Installing automated timers for heat, water, or ventilation, if needed
• Re-glazing, if necessary
• Shipping and handling fees

Also when considering budget needs, don't forget to inquire about possible grant opportunities available for an educational greenhouse, or possible fundraising activities that could generate funds to support the purchase and/or maintenance of your greenhouse.