Travis Garden

Established more than 20 years ago, the Travis Elementary School garden is the oldest school garden in the Houston school district.  It was begun by an inspired Kindergarten teacher who wanted to include outdoor education in the school week.  What began as a vegetable garden outside her classroom door has grown to 32 beds totalling more than 1,500 sq ft.  which are planted and harvested by students.

Each class has its own garden space and students come to the garden for 30 minutes weekly.  Garden lessons are aligned with the science curriculum and include observing and identifying plants and animals in the natural world, making compost, planting seeds and seedlings, collecting and recording weather data, learning first hand about the life cycle of garden plants and insects, and measuring plant growth.  

Nutrition is also key to the garden experience.  Students plant vegetables, then harvest, and eat them in the garden.  Among the favorites are broccoli, kale, kohlrabi, bok choy, French sorrel, beets, and carrots.  Students create their own salads with a mix of greens, topped with edible flowers.  

Finally, the garden provides a place for students to enjoy the outdoors while learning to care for the plants and animals in the environment.