Schools are crucial places for the growth and development of children and adolescents. That’s why classrooms are designed for independent, hands-on learning in a child-friendly environment. In addition to indoor learning, outdoor classes have proven effective in encouraging exploration and development in various learning areas. Therefore, a supportive environment that optimizes physical and mental abilities is essential.
One element that can help create this environment is the right school garden design. The presence of a school garden will also encourage children and adolescents to appreciate nature more. In this post, we provide some easy DIY tips to consider when designing the perfect school garden. Plus, find examples of school yard garden designs suitable for outdoor classrooms!
Easy Tips for Designing a School Garden
Before designing a school garden, determining its purpose or function is a crucial factor influencing its design. There are various purposes for creating a school garden. Simple school garden designs can include ornamental gardens or themed gardens that can refresh the mind and eyes, while also supporting the teaching and learning process.
Determining the function of the school garden will focus the design. In addition, creating a garden with a specific theme and function can make students quickly feel familiar with the school environment, especially in kindergarten and elementary school. With the right school garden decoration, teacher-student interactions are also facilitated.
School Garden Design
Ornamental gardens
Ornamental gardens are the most common type of garden seen in schools. They are decorative, pleasing to the eye, and serve to beautify the school environment. One example of a schoolyard garden design like this is a Zen or Japanese garden. Besides creating a spacious and clean impression, this minimalist garden design in schools also creates a sense of calm. Zen-style school garden decorations are simple and can be applied in various dimensions.
Sport Garden
School garden designs can center around a sports garden. A field, such as a basketball court, volleyball court, or even a soccer field, complete with a jogging track, is commonly found in school garden designs.
Forest Garden
A lush, forest-like school garden is perfect for schools with a pristine, vegetated environment. Add simple garden decorations like benches, walkways, grass fields, tree signs, and more. This simple garden design will complement the school’s fresh look and feel.
Biodiversity Garden
Another school garden design theme option is a biodiversity garden. To do this, the land can be divided into various plots. Each plot will serve as a mini habitat representing the surrounding biodiversity, such as a plot for wildflowers, a small forest and rockery, a pond, a birdhouse, a honeybee house, and so on.
Permaculture Garden
If a school wants to design a school garden that simultaneously preserves local plants and creates a sustainable organic food garden, a permaculture (permaculture: permanent agriculture) garden could be an option. Permaculture gardens can also teach students to appreciate, preserve, and use nature’s resources wisely.
In addition to the school garden designs mentioned above, there are also other smaller-scale garden designs you can choose from, such as vertical gardens, fountain gardens, and recycled gardens, which utilize recycled materials as pots or plant containers.
Find more inspiration for your favorite school gardens and outdoor classrooms!
