Everyone could answer the question "why do our children go to school?" To acquire and develop social skills, to learn to read and write, to learn to calculate, to create, to acquire knowledge in all subjects that are set in the curriculum, to learn how to learn. We also know that one learns best from practice. No one expects children to learn to write just by watching the teacher write the letters on the board in front of them. Unfortunately, a big part of the knowledge provided at school is mostly theoretical. Of course, in some cases, it is difficult to relate every lesson from school directly to everyday life, but in other cases, it is quite possible.

In many countries, creating and maintaining a vegetable garden at school has become a common educational practice. In some countries it is even part of the school curriculum. In Bulgaria, too, there are already schools that are taking the initiative to create a school garden, and it would be good to see more such schools appearing. Vegetable gardens at school can combine vegetables, herbs, flowers, even some types of fruit.

What are the benefits of a vegetable garden in the schoolyard? The short answer is: there are countless! Let's think about some of them.

The schoolyard can become an extension of the classroom. It is only natural to connect hands-on activities in the school garden to classes where nature is studied. There, children will learn about the diversity of plants, their structure and needs, and the insects that inhabit this magical world of beautiful and delicious vegetables, herbs and flowers.

This can be the ideal place for activities and discussions related to environmental topics. This is the place to show them how to grow delicious food without using chemicals, learn the techniques of organic farming, create composters and learn how to nourish the earth naturally, how to mulch to protect it. In an organic garden we can teach children what sustainability is.

The garden is also a great place for socialisation where children will learn teamwork, caring and responsibility.

Of course, we should not forget the unique opportunity for beneficial physical activity. At a time when children spend a significant amount of their time in front of screens, working outdoors gives a much-needed rest to the eyes and refreshment to the mind, and the produce from this garden is, in itself, the best lesson in healthy eating.

A well-maintained garden, beautifully designed with a combination of vegetables, flowers and herbs, also nurtures children's sense of aesthetics.

It is a good idea to decide in advance how the produce from the school garden will be used. Will the food produced be used in the school itself, consumed by the pupils? Will it be donated? Will it be sold to raise funds for the school? And here is another lesson - in planning and business initiative!

Seasonality is an important consideration when planning a garden. We know that Summer is usually the active season for gardens and the school year runs from fall to spring, so it is important to anticipate some things. The planting and care of the school garden must take into account the opportunity to engage students in the work process.

There are many vegetables, flowers, and herbs that are appropriate to plant in the Autumn. The characteristic humidity of this season is favorable for young plantings.

Seeds of dill, parsley, celery, as well as sage and rocket can be sown as early as September. Rocket will make nice leaves in Autumn and the other herbs will sprout in Spring. Onions and garlic are also good for planting in the Autumn.

Another very useful and beautiful plant to sow in this season is Jerusalem Artichoke. With its 'sunny' flowers, it is a wonderful addition to any garden. Planting the Jerusalem Artichoke should be done before Winter, 2-3 weeks before the onset of prolonged frosts or in Spring when the ground has warmed sufficiently. In Autumn, the tubers are planted whole, while in Spring they can be divided before being placed in the ground. The new tubers ripen from August to September, so removing them from the ground also coincides with the start of the school year.

Spinach and various types of lettuce can also be sown in October and until the end of November.

Autumn is the best season for planting trees and shrubs, as well as perennial crops. Fruits and shrubs planted in this season will have sufficient moisture needed for good rooting and stabilisation of the plant.

A good addition to the garden will be lavender, carnation, primrose, candytuft, delphinium, tulip bulbs, sown in Autumn. Marigold is also a very useful flower for the vegetable garden, as it protects against certain pests and attracts pollinating insects. Autumn is a good time to plant strawberry seedlings, and as we know, strawberries are all children's favourite fruit.

During the winter, students can prepare seedlings in the classroom for spring plantings. And when the weather outside is milder, it is a good idea to start preparing the garden for the active Spring season, when the seedlings should be transferred to the garden and the seeds of the spring-summer crops sown.

Summer vacation is a time for playing and working mostly outdoors. Students and volunteers may take over the care of the garden during the most active and diverse season. For the enthusiastic young gardeners who have cared for the garden throughout the school year, it will be a real reward to enjoy the fruits of their cooperative labor.

It turns out that care is needed in the garden throughout the year, and this is a good lesson that there must be consistency, responsibility and perseverance in the work. In other words - sustainability!

We wish success to all schools who initiate vegetable gardens! If this article has inspired you to make such a garden too, we would love to hear about the initiative and see photos or a video of the result!