School/Children's/Youth Gardens

Master Gardeners are trained by the University of California Cooperative Extension to provide the gardeners of Riverside County with research-based information to promote environmentally responsible and sustainable horticultural practices. Master Gardeners participate entirely on a volunteer basis, not as paid employees. Our programs to provide educational services to school and children’s gardens include: consultation related to school gardens on line school garden lessons, fact sheets on vegetables, herbs and flowers, and relevant resources and solutions to support successful horticulture projects. Contact us with questions or inquiries at mgschoolgardens@gmail.com. Click on the links below for more information about our programs. All resources are available to the public at no cost.

Watch Our Project Video

Riverside County Office of Education

UC Master Gardener Youth and School Garden Project lessons are aligned with California State Science and CTE standards.

Consulting Services for Schools

Our goal as volunteer consultants is to help organizations interested in creating or sustaining children’s gardens, school gardens, or outdoor learning environments, develop goals or focuses for their gardens, and help educate gardeners step by step as they plan and execute their gardens. All of Riverside County’s currently certified Master Gardeners have been finger-printed and have passed background screening by the California Department of Justice.

Online School Garden Lessons

UC Master Gardeners of Riverside County have developed a series of School Garden Online Lessons for teachers, parents, students and the public. The lessons can be used in the classroom, online, and by individuals. Each file contains a Power Point lesson on gardening and horticulture with embedded video links, as well as references and California State Board of Education Content Standards covered by each lesson. There is an emphasis on science, health and safety, and nutrition appropriate to each grade level. The lessons are available for four grade levels: TK-2, 3-5, 6-8 (Middle School) and 9-12 (High School).

Fact Sheets for Citrus, Flowers, Fruits and Vegetables, Herbs and Native Plants

The two-page fact sheets are designed to provide growing information regarding plants, interesting or fun facts, nutrition information, and ways to use plants in healthy recipes, as seasonings, and in floral design and craft projects for children. The information provided is research-based from University of California researchers, Master Gardeners and other research and government institutions.

Resources and References

This service provides links to other sources and websites that contain school garden lesson plans, garden activities for children, horticulture information, and grant opportunities.  The page also provides details on garden solutions created by Riverside Master Gardeners such as irrigation solutions and a hand-sanitizing station.