Tower Gardens

A tower garden is an easy, soil-free way to grow vegetables indoors year-round. Using water and nutrients, it helps plants thrive and provides a hands-on way for students to explore.

Many schools in Oxford, Elgin and St. Thomas are already using tower gardens in their classrooms. The curriculum connections are endless!

Why use a tower garden at school?

• Engages students: Growing food helps students connect with what they eat while exploring science and other curriculum connections through experiential learning.

• Builds skills: Caring for plants fosters confidence, empathy, and leadership, especially when older students mentor younger ones.

• Offers opportunity for cultural inclusion: Edible gardens create a space for growing, sharing and learning about foods that reflect student traditions and culture.

• Improves well-being: The connection to nature formed through gardening support positive mental health.

What to grow in your tower garden?

• Choose seeds together: Pick vegetables and herbs based on foods students enjoy or cultural traditions

• Plan with purpose: Start by choosing a dish your class would like to make and enjoy. List the ingredients and identify which ones can be grown in the garden. Focus on including as many garden-grown items as possible

• Learn about foods grown in other local schools here.

How can I learn how to use a tower garden?

Starting with a tower garden can feel a bit overwhelming, but don’t worry—there are lots of resources to help!

• Watch how-to videos: Tower Garden’s YouTube Channel has short videos that show you how to set up, plant, harvest, clean, and care for your garden step by step.

• Take an online course: The Good Food Machine offers quick 20-minute courses to teach you how to use tower gardens in schools or communities. These courses are great for beginners!

• Use the teacher guide: The Good Food Machine also has a detailed Guide for Teachers & Educators. It’s packed with helpful tips for using your tower garden and solving common problems.

How can I get money to purchase a tower garden?

Many gardening grants support the purchase of tower gardens for schools. If you require assistance with a garden grant application, please reach out to our Healthy Schools team.

Grant opportunities:

• President’s Choice Children’s Charity – Powerful Kids Grow & Cook Grant 

• Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grant Program  

• Whole Kids Foundation Bee Grants  

• Nutrients For Life Learning Garden Grant 

• TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant   

Please note: SWPH does not endorse any of the organizations or businesses that offer these grants.

Need help with adding tower gardens to the curriculum?

Contact our Healthy Schools team or call 1-800-922-0096 and we can give you ideas on how you use your Tower Gardens in math, language, science, health, arts, and social science subjects.