62: How to Close (or Not Close) Your School Garden for the Winter

Fall often signals the end of gardening season, but when it comes to school gardens, closing things down too early means missing out on valuable learning opportunities. In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, host Leila Mireskandari explains why you don’t need to clear everything away in autumn, and why letting your garden rest naturally through winter is actually better for your students, your soil, and local biodiversity.

From kale that thrives under snow to pollinators sheltering in fall leaves, Leila shows you how to take a nature-first approach to seasonal transitions. You’ll also hear practical tips for keeping your school garden safe during the winter months, while still letting it teach lessons about cycles, resilience, and connection to the natural world.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why you don’t need to rush to close your school garden in the fall
• Cool-season crops that can thrive well into winter (kale, chard, parsley, spinach)
• How letting your garden “go natural” teaches students about seasonal change
• The surprising role of “dead” plants in supporting pollinators and soil health
• Why fall and early spring cleanups can actually hurt your garden’s biodiversity
• Safety considerations when leaving plants and stems in place over winter

Key Takeaway:
School gardens don’t need to be “put to bed” in fall. Let them rest, transform, and provide living lessons all winter long, while protecting pollinators, enriching the soil, and reducing your workload for spring.

Find out more about School Gardening on our website: https://kidsgrowingcity.ca