At Eco Explorers Gardening Club, we have achieved Level 1 of the RHS School Gardening Awards. This stage focuses on introducing gardening, understanding its benefits, and taking the first steps in creating a growing space.

We understand the benefits of gardening
We have explored and discussed the many benefits of gardening with our students. As a group, we talked about what we would like to grow and why certain plants are important. We looked at how different plants support insects and pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and how companion planting can help fruit and vegetables grow better together. Students learned that plants provide food and shelter for wildlife, help support the ecosystem, and contribute to producing oxygen. We also discussed the wellbeing benefits of gardening, including spending time outdoors, caring for living things, and the sense of achievement that comes from growing plants.

Our growing space is accessible
We have carefully selected a gardening area that is accessible for all of our students, including those with physical disabilities. The space includes a level concrete pathway, which allows wheelchair users to reach the garden safely and comfortably. To ensure that students can easily take part in planting and caring for the plants, we are using raised beds so that the soil is at a height that is easier to reach. We have also made the space visually supportive by creating picture signs that show what is growing in each bed. These symbols help students recognise the plants and support understanding for those who benefit from visual information.

We have started gardening
We have now begun developing our garden and have taken the first steps in planting a variety of crops. After selecting the garden area, students helped plant garden peas and broad beans directly outside in the raised beds. We have also started tomatoes and sunflowers indoors so that they can grow in a warm environment before being moved outside later in the season. The students are involved in observing and caring for the plants as they grow. We are excited to continue developing the garden over the coming weeks and plan to expand what we grow as the project develops.