Plot 65
Over the past four months, while on the waitlist for our own garden bed, children immersed themselves in the shared spaces of the Southern Beaches Community Garden. They explored the community beds, planted herbs, tasted fresh fruits, opened unique fruits and seeds to discover what was inside, and spent time with hands deep in the soil. These experiences nurtured curiosity, connection, and care for the garden, leading to the exciting moment we were recently allocated Plot 65 to continue our growing project.
What Sparked This Project
Our interest in gardening began while spending time in the community maintained garden bed, where children noticed plants growing, insects moving through the soil, and gardeners caring for the area. Conversations emerged around watering, digging, planting, and harvesting, with many children sharing their own experiences of gardens at home.
As our curiosity grew, we were generously offered our own garden bed — giving the children a sense of ownership, responsibility, and excitement about growing something together from the very beginning.
Children's Voices
Throughout the project, children have shared their thinking and ideas, including:
“We have to dig the dirt first.”
“Plants need water every day.”
“This can be our garden.”
"Can I pick a flower for my mummy?"
Their words guide the direction of the project and reflect their growing understanding of the natural world.
So far, the children have been involved in:
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Exploring the community garden and observing how different plants grow
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Learning about what plants need to survive, including soil, water, sunlight, and care
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Preparing our own garden bed by clearing, digging, and investigating the soil
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Talking about what we might like to grow and how we can care for it together
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Working collaboratively, taking turns, and sharing tools and ideas
These experiences have laid the foundation for deeper learning as the project continues.
What We've Been Exploring
Learning Along The Way
Through this ongoing project, children are developing; Environmental awareness through caring for plants and shared spaces, early science concepts such as growth, change, and living things, physical development through digging, lifting, and gardening movements, language and communication through discussion, questioning, and shared planning and social skills including cooperation, patience, and shared responsibility.
Learning emerges naturally as children engage with real materials and real experiences.
Ongoing Reflections
The Garden Bed Project is just beginning. As plants are chosen, planted, tended, and observed, children will continue to revisit ideas, make changes, and reflect on what they notice over time. This project will grow alongside the children, shaped by their curiosity, care, and connection to the land and community.
