School Gardening Success: What I’ve Learned About Helping Schools Grow

School gardening has always been about more than plants. It’s about confidence, connection, curiosity and giving children space to grow in every sense of the word.

School Gardening Success officially began in 2021, but its roots go back a little further. In 2020, I toured the country, visiting schools and getting 10,000 children gardening in just one year. That tour changed everything for me. Not because of the numbers, but because of the conversations.

I spent time talking to teachers in staff rooms, playgrounds and gardens. I listened to what worked, what didn’t, and what schools actually needed when it came to gardening with children. I also backed this up with my own research into outdoor learning, wellbeing, curriculum links and teacher workload. All of that learning fed directly into the first version of School Gardening Success.

The First Edition: Great Intentions, Too Much to Do

When we launched the first edition of School Gardening Success, it was ambitious. We created a huge bank of digital lessons and videos, around 30 to 40 different sessions that teachers could use throughout the year. The equipment packs were strong, the ideas were creative, and the content was solid.

Initially, it was successful. Schools signed up, children got growing, and teachers were enthusiastic. But honest feedback soon started coming back, and it mattered.

Teachers told me something really important. While they loved the resources, they felt overwhelmed. There were too many lessons, too many options, and too much pressure to “do it all”. Even good content can become a barrier if it adds to workload rather than reducing it.

That feedback hit hard, but it was exactly what I needed to hear.

Instead of pushing on and hoping it would sort itself out, I made the decision to reinvest completely in School Gardening Success.

I went back to the drawing board and redesigned the programme from the ground up. Every lesson was re-thought, simplified and filmed properly so teachers could see exactly how it worked. We reduced the number of lessons and focused on quality, structure and flow across the year rather than volume.

We also reviewed the equipment packs, making sure they were practical, easy to use, and genuinely helpful in a school setting. I strengthened connections with trusted brands so schools could rely on materials that actually worked for children in real gardens, not just in theory.

The Second Edition: Simpler, Stronger, More Successful

When we released the second edition of School Gardening Success, something shifted.

More schools invested in the programme than before. Teachers told us it felt manageable. Children found it fun, engaging and easy to follow. Gardening became part of the rhythm of the school year rather than an added pressure.

The success rates from schools taking part were genuinely positive. Gardens were being used. Lessons were being delivered. Teachers felt confident. Children were learning through hands-on gardening in a way that fitted into everyday school life.

It felt like we had cracked it.

Despite all of that success, one major barrier remained. Cost.

There was real hope that further investment would come in, allowing us to offer School Gardening Success free to schools across the UK. The impact data was there. The outcomes were clear. The demand was growing.

But that investment never quite landed.

By the end of 2025, I found myself asking some difficult questions. How do I keep supporting teachers? How do I make sure this work doesn’t just disappear? How do I stop something that genuinely helps schools from quietly failing?

Walking away was never an option.

The Third Edition: Making School Gardening Free and Accessible

Over the winter, I made a decision that feels right.

The core School Gardening Success programme is now being offered free (Launch Feb 2026) to teachers. No cost. No judgement. No barriers.

Teachers can access the structure, lesson plans and guidance they need to teach gardening in school without worrying about budgets. For schools that want them, there will still be optional bundles for products and materials, but the learning itself will be open and accessible.

I see this as the third edition of School Gardening Success. And honestly, it’s the one I’m most proud of.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that sometimes you have to fail to reach real success. Each version of this programme has taught me something new about schools, teachers, children and what actually works in school gardening.

My hope is that this next step will make an even bigger difference. That more teachers feel confident teaching gardening. That more children get their hands in the soil. That school gardens become places of learning, wellbeing and joy rather than another thing on a to-do list.

School gardening should be simple, supportive and inclusive. That’s what School Gardening Success is now all about.

If you want to find out more about School Gardening Success, the new free programme will be available from the new term. If you’re a teacher, school leader or educator and would like to get involved, please do get in touch.

Sometimes growth takes time. Sometimes it takes a few wrong turns. But the roots are strong, and this feels like the right season.