Have you always wished your school had a gardening club? These clubs make excellent additions to any educational facility, as they promote outdoor activity and teamwork. As a faculty member who wants to build a new organization from scratch, you’ll appreciate these four things you’ll need to start an after-school gardening club.

A Spot To Start Gardening

The first thing to check off your list when it comes to starting a gardening club is finding a designated spot to set up your garden. Some schools choose to build a garden on their school grounds, while others travel to a remote gardening location. If you receive approval from your school’s administration and want to set up a zone on-site, choose a spot with plenty of space for several gardening beds and spacious walkways. The site should also be out of the way of daily foot traffic and sports fields to avoid other students trampling your plants. Ensure the spot gets plenty of sunlight or shade as necessary, depending on the type of plants you want to grow.

Seeds, Seedlings, and Planting Materials

Once you have a gardening club established and a place to grow, consider conducting a survey to see what your students wish to plant. Take a club vote to decide which seeds or seedlings you’ll choose for your school garden. You can also create themed gardens, such as growing flowers in your school’s colors, designating a garden bed for vegetables, and more. Once you decide which plants you want to focus on, stock up on soil, fertilizer, and other planting materials you’ll need to get started. You’ll also need enough gardening equipment, such as towels and rakes, for all your club members.

A Water Source

To keep your school garden growing strong and healthy, your plants will need plenty of water. Ensure that your garden will have access to a hose or other water source during the planning process. It’s also helpful to plan a watering schedule to make sure your plantings get all the water they need. Watering will need to occur more frequently than your club meets, so be sure to assign faculty or student volunteers to watering times outside of club meeting hours.

Gardening Gear

As a garden organizer, you must provide the proper gear and accessories your students and staff will need for gardening. This includes things like gardening gloves, aprons, tool belts, and more. It’s also important to remember outdoor gear to protect your students from the sun. Supply protective items such as sunglasses and hats or visors to keep the sun off their faces while working. Many school clubs and extracurriculars design group merchandise for their club members, so consider designing your own club hats, shirts, or aprons. These custom items can help unite your club members while also providing them with protective garments to wear during gardening time.

Now that you know the four basic things you’ll need to start an after-school gardening club, you can start the planning process to form your school’s next organization. If you want to bring your gardening club together with customized gear, head over to KBETHOS and browse our selection of adjustable baseball caps and more. KBETHOS is your go-to source for high-quality blank merchandise that is ready for customization.