Just joining in now? Check out the first blog in this journey: Connect and Learn
🌱 It’s Time to Plant!
Spring has arrived, the soil is warming up, May long weekend has passed and it’s time to get planting in your WILD Space!
Whether you received native plants through the WILD Spaces program or sourced them locally, or grew them from seed, May is all about turning plans into action and watching your garden come to life.
This month, we’re focusing on planting with care, curiosity, and connection — and letting students get their hands dirty.
🎓 Planting with Students: Learning in Action
Planting day is more than a gardening task — it’s a powerful learning moment. Consider inviting students to:
- Take turns planting and watering
- Label plants with markers
- Predict which plants pollinators might visit first
- Sketch or photograph the garden before and after planting
- Reflect on how the space feels now that plants are in the ground
🌼 Planting Day — Tips for Success
Before you dig in, here are a few quick reminders to help your planting day go smoothly:
- 🌤️ Choose the right day: Aim for a cool, overcast day or plant in the morning to reduce stress on young plants.
- 💧 Water before and after planting: Well‑hydrated plants adjust more easily to their new home.
- 📐 Give plants space to grow: Follow spacing guidelines on your plant chart — crowding can make it harder for plants to thrive.
- 🌿 Mulch lightly: A thin layer of mulch helps retain moisture and protects soil.
- 🪴 Be gentle with roots: Students should loosen roots carefully and plant at the same depth the plant was growing in its pot.
Host a pollinator-themed lunch to enjoy by your new garden. Don’t forget to bring your garden exploration kit.
Teachers, you’re doing a great job!
You probably already believe in what you’re doing, but here’s some more evidence that proves what you’re doing is impactful.
- The Effect of School Gardens on Children’s Interpersonal Relationships and Attitudes Toward School
- School gardens lead to more positive attitudes about the environment, study finds
- Student drawings reflect greater plant and insect diversity after schools install monarch butterfly gardens
- Growing minds by growing school garden
Thanks For Growing with Us!
Thank you for creating space for wildlife and giving students the chance to learn, grow, and connect with nature. Every plant you add makes a difference — and we’re so excited to see what you plant next! 🌸🌍
If you discovered this blog on our website, be sure to sign up for the WILD Spaces e‑blast.
Meagan Potter
Meagan is the program administrator for formal education at the Canadian Wildlife Federation. She has worked with WILD Spaces, WILD Generations, WILD Education, and the Gardening for Wildlife programs. When she's not at CWF, you'll find her working part-time at an emergency veterinary clinic or offering dog training lessons through her small business.
