Back to Blog

How Fall School Gardens Fit Into a Year-Round Gardening Strategy

Aug 25, 2025

When most people think of school gardens, they picture sunny spring days and lush summer plants. But what about fall? Can you really keep gardening alive in your classroom when temperatures drop and outdoor spaces are no longer an option?

The answer is a big YES! Fall and winter are often overlooked in school garden planning, but they can play a powerful role in your program. Whether you’re closing out last year’s garden or starting new indoor projects, there are so many ways to keep students engaged, connected to nature, and excited about learning, even when it’s too cold to grow outside.

In this post, we’ll explore why fall is such an important season for school gardens, and I’ll share practical, creative ideas you can implement right away.

Why Fall School Gardens Matter

When the school year begins, your energy is focused on setting up routines, getting to know students, and planning the year ahead. The idea of starting a garden in fall might feel overwhelming, especially since winter is right around the corner. But here’s the truth: fall is not just a transitional season; it’s a strategic opportunity.

If you already have an outdoor garden from last year, fall is your chance to bring it to life for your new students. Imagine starting the year by harvesting food and saving seeds from a garden planted by the previous class. Not only does this create a sense of continuity, but it also helps students feel excited about what they will accomplish in the spring.

For elementary and middle school students, this experience connects them immediately to a tangible outcome. For high school science teachers, it’s a golden opportunity to link the harvest to curriculum topics like ecosystems, plant biology, and sustainability.

The Challenge: Cold Weather and Limited Outdoor Options

Of course, many teachers face the same barrier: fall and winter weather make outdoor gardening nearly impossible in most regions. That’s why many programs pause until spring. But what if I told you that gardening indoors can be just as engaging, and sometimes even more practical?

Indoor gardening doesn’t require expensive equipment, grow lights, or a large space. You can do it on a windowsill, a counter, or even a single shelf. And the best part? These activities are hands-on, low-cost, and perfect for classrooms of all ages.

5 Fun and Educational Indoor Gardening Activities for Fall and Winter

Here are some of my favorite ways to keep gardening alive during the colder months:

1. Stratify Milkweed Seeds

Monarch butterflies depend on milkweed for survival, and many educators love the idea of supporting them. The catch? Milkweed seeds need cold stratification to germinate in spring. This means storing them in a fridge for 2–3 months to mimic winter conditions.

Starting this process in late fall or early winter ensures your seeds are ready to plant in spring. It’s an easy project that ties perfectly into science lessons about plant life cycles and ecosystems.

2. Make Seed Balls

Seed balls are small clusters of seeds wrapped in soil and clay, ready to plant later. They’re a fantastic combination of art, science, and sustainability. Plus, kids love getting their hands dirty!

As an added bonus, these make wonderful holiday gifts for families. Imagine sending home little seed packets that will grow into flowers or vegetables in the spring.

3. Create Seed Paper

Similar to seed balls, seed paper is another fun way to mix creativity with gardening. Students embed seeds into homemade paper sheets, which can later be planted. This project also introduces recycling concepts, since you can repurpose scrap paper for the activity.

4. Grow Sprouts

Want an indoor project that requires zero sunlight? Try sprouts! They’re nutrient-packed, grow quickly (in as little as 4–7 days), and don’t need soil. Kids can watch seeds transform into edible greens almost overnight, an instant science experiment and a healthy snack in one.

5. Grow Microgreens

Microgreens take a little longer than sprouts, but they require minimal light and grow beautifully on a sunny windowsill. These tiny plants pack big flavor and nutrients, making them perfect for a classroom tasting activity.

How Fall Activities Fit Into the Bigger Picture

Fall and winter gardening activities aren’t just filler. They’re part of a strategic, year-round school garden plan. That’s the foundation of my upcoming School Gardens with Ease course, which covers two essential pillars:

Logistics: Who, when, what, and how to organize your garden program without overwhelm.
Design & Build: Creating a physical garden that works for your space and budget.

When you integrate fall activities into your schedule, you keep students connected and set the stage for spring planting success. These projects also strengthen your program by making gardening a year-round learning experience, not just a seasonal activity.

Ready to Bring Fall Gardening Into Your Classroom?

You don’t have to plan this alone! I’ve created resources to make it easy:

Your students will love these projects, and you’ll love how simple and fun they are to implement, no outdoor space required.

What fall gardening activity are you most excited to try? Share your thoughts in the comments!