From Soil to Stewardship: A Year of Learning at Dew of Heaven Children’s Garden— Part 6
Planting days at Dew of Heaven Children’s Garden were marked by curiosity, energy, and discovery.
After more than a year of preparation—planning the site, building soil systems, establishing routines, and learning through small-scale practice—participants reached a significant milestone. The fall garden marked the first time planting took place on the site.
What followed reflected both excitement and readiness.
Curiosity at the Center of Planting
Weekly garden days were buzzing with anticipation. Participants were eager to learn what crops would be planted and how those choices connected to earlier lessons about soil, space, and seasons.
Rather than relying on labels or markers, participants learned through observation and memory—tracking where seeds were planted and watching carefully for emergence. This approach encouraged attentiveness and reinforced that understanding a system requires presence over time.
Questions drove the experience. What will emerge first? How long will it take? What happens underground after planting? These moments of inquiry anchored scientific thinking in real-world observation.
Learning Through Routine and Responsibility
To support consistent care, a daily garden task checklist was developed and written on a whiteboard. Tasks included watering, observing plant growth, checking soil conditions, and general upkeep.
Participants were highly motivated by the structure of the checklist. Completing tasks—and checking them off—reinforced accountability and gave participants a sense of ownership over shared outcomes.
Watering as Observation, Not Just Action
Watering quickly became a favorite task. Participants learned that watering requires judgment, not habit—responding to soil moisture, weather, and plant needs.
Repeated practice helped participants recognize when water was necessary and when restraint was equally important. On hot days, watering also brought joy and relief, reminding participants that learning environments can be productive and playful.
The Garden as a Place of Community
After tasks were completed, participants often stayed to play—organizing games of tag, throwing a ball, or cooling off with water play. These moments reinforced that the garden is not only a site of production, but a shared community space.
Care for the garden extended naturally into care for one another.
Science, Stewardship, and Joy
Planting with intention at DHCG reflects a balance of curiosity and discipline. The garden invites exploration while requiring consistency, patience, and follow-through.
The first planting season affirmed a core program belief: meaningful growth—whether in soil or in people—happens when preparation, curiosity, and care come together over time.
Learning Spotlight
Key concepts reinforced: inquiry-based learning, routine care, observation, accountability, systems thinking, and community stewardship.
👉 This post is part of DHCG’s ongoing series, From Soil to Stewardship, documenting how participants move from preparation to practice through intentional agricultural learning.
View all posts in this series.
👉 Visit our Event Page to join in on the fun!
