Why Should Gardening Be Taught In Colleges?
With global food contamination on the rise, there is an urgent need for young eco-warriors looking to make a difference. Yet, students are seldom encouraged to pursue gardening courses in today’s tech-obsessed, capitalism-driven world. But does the world need seasoned marketers more than impassioned gardeners who understand the circle of life?
We explore how gardening can enhance education, why colleges should include it in their curriculum, and how it can foster community unity.
Psychological Gains
With the immense psychological benefits associated with the process, growing is the gift that keeps on giving. It can serve as a one-of-a-kind antidote to studying stress, so think twice if you don’t see the benefits of a relaxing gardening course after long hours of exam prep or trying to perfect your writing skills with Lets Grade It. There are few things more rewarding than reaping the fruits of your labor in the garden; after weeks of hope and expectation, you will proudly rejoice in showing off the stunning flowers you grew, or fruits and veggies that are safe to eat.
Today, with the stress that comes from overworking and constant “screen fatigue,” people are looking for ways to rewind. Ample studies suggest that gardening can have a calming effect on the brain by stimulating the release of endorphins. Welcoming nature into our small ecosystems can alleviate stress, which can lead to serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes, depression, and more.
Employment opportunities
At a time when millions of young people are unemployed, we should search for ways to come up with more employment options. Incorporating gardening courses into college curricula may encourage students to consider alternative career paths that are more in harmony with nature. Whether they want to grow beautiful gardens, enhance food production, or develop new plant species – there are myriad gardening jobs to suit any taste.
There is no escaping the fact that gardening is a chore requiring perseverance, dedication, and physical work to achieve results. All the digging, weeding, dead-heading, and digging again is akin to a diligent student leaving no stone unturned to boost his writing skills with a top-rated essay writing service and craft stellar essays that stand out. Far from being a relaxing pastime only, gardening can help students nurture important skills that are indispensable in today’s fast-paced world replete with competition.
Gardening for Health
College gardening courses can play a significant role in educating students about proper nutrition and inspiring them to make healthier food choices. Students can gain a fresh and long-lasting perspective on healthy eating habits and the importance of consuming naturally grown, unprocessed foods that come straight from mother nature. And given the public health disaster that the global food system has created, food literacy is more important than ever.
A great way to achieve this goal is to supplement gardening activities with cooking classes, whereby students will learn all the bits and pieces of healthy eating. And if colleges teach students just how many miscellaneous things they can cultivate in gardens with their bare hands, they might as well skip their next McDonald’s trip.
Garden-grown flowers, fruits, vegetables, and herbs can be enjoyed as a raw snack, used as a garnish, or added flavor to the main dish. Edible plants for college students include lavender, lemon blossom, lilac, pansy, rose, and violet. It is the responsibility of colleges to inform students about the miscellaneous benefits of gardening for leading healthier lives.
Read More: Top Things Paraquat Have Taught Us About Gardening Risks
Social skills
By working together in a garden, students can develop important cooperation skills. While the atmosphere in class may be tense as students strive to excel in various classes and outperform their peers, the garden is one place where competition and tenacity are rare. Students can find themselves in a perfect environment to build better friendships and cooperate toward a shared, meaningful goal by engaging in activities close to nature, with green scenery around them, and where no one is rushing.
Collective gardening activities at college may include:
- Gathering flowers
- Planting fruits, vegetables, and flowers according to the seasons
- Converting harvested produce into nourishing meals
- Feeding the worms & using them as a fertilizer
- Watering the garden
- Composting and recycling
- Replanting and repotting
Wrapping Up
Incorporating gardening into college studies can go a long way in addressing such challenging issues as unhealthy eating, product waste, climate change, and more. There seems to be an increasing crossover between more traditional classes and gardening, and many colleges have been at the forefront of this trend. Rather than making students attend mandatory food crisis lectures, colleges are increasingly focusing on making students fall in love with the garden and become avid environmentalists.
Gardening: A Catalyst for Environmental Education
Our planet is crying out for help. The effects of climate change and environmental degradation are clear and present dangers. In this scenario, gardening can catalyze environmental education. When students engage in gardening, they develop an understanding of the ecosystem, its complexities, and their role in preserving it. Moreover, they absorb the importance of biodiversity, soil health, and water conservation. These experiences foster environmental consciousness and encourage students to adopt more sustainable practices.
Promoting Mental Well-being and Stress Management
In a world where mental health issues are on the rise, gardening can be a therapeutic tool. It enables students to decompress from academic pressures, promoting relaxation and mental well-being. The act of nurturing a plant from seed to bloom can instill a sense of achievement and purpose. This experience can greatly enhance students’ emotional health, contributing to their overall well-being.
Gardening: A Platform for Practical Learning
Gardening isn’t merely about planting and nurturing. It involves scientific concepts such as photosynthesis, plant biology, and soil chemistry. Incorporating gardening into the college curriculum allows students to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. This hands-on approach to learning can enhance their understanding and retention of information, making education more engaging and effective.
Cultivating Community Spirit and Teamwork
Gardening can also foster community spirit and teamwork. Collaborative gardening projects allow students to work together towards a common goal. They learn to communicate, negotiate, and cooperate, all of which are vital skills in the workforce. It also promotes inclusivity, as gardening is accessible to people of all abilities, fostering a sense of community on campus.
Gardening as a Career Avenue
With the rise of urban farming and sustainable living, gardening has emerged as a viable career avenue. Colleges can offer specialized courses in horticulture, landscaping, and urban farming, preparing students for these emerging fields. By learning to garden, students can explore new career opportunities and contribute positively to society.
Conclusion: Making Gardening an Integral Part of College Education
Gardening offers a multitude of benefits, from promoting environmental consciousness to fostering mental well-being and community spirit. By incorporating gardening into the college curriculum, we are not just teaching students how to grow plants; we are planting the seeds for a more sustainable, healthy, and cooperative future. Colleges must recognize the significant potential of gardening education and make it an integral part of their curriculum.
