RESEARCH

A Systematic Review of the Health and Well-Being Impacts of School Gardening: Synthesis of Quantitative and Qualitative Evidence

This review suggests school gardens may improve student health and well-being, particularly for those who struggle in classrooms, but more rigorous research is needed. Successful gardens rely on community support and curriculum integration, while facing challenges like funding and volunteer workload.

Program Types: Therapeutic, Social

Population Groups: Children/Youth, Students

Setting or Context: Schools/Educational Settings

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Improved Stress Management, Improved Physical Health, Better Nutritional Awareness, Increased Social Engagement & Skills

Allied Profession Intersections: Education

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening, Meal/Diet-Based Activities, Growing Plants from Seed

Evidence Type: Meta-Analyses/Systematic Reviews, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes, Standardized Assessment Tools

Access: Free

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Summary

This review looked at the impact of school gardening programs on the health and well-being of students, their families, and the wider community. Researchers analyzed 40 studies that included both numbers-based data and people’s experiences, looking at factors like healthy eating, mental health, and overall well-being. They found that while the numbers-based research wasn’t very strong, the studies focusing on experiences suggested that school gardens could have a range of benefits, especially for kids who don’t always do well in traditional classroom settings. These benefits include healthier eating habits, increased physical activity, and improved social skills.

The review also identified some challenges to making school gardens successful, such as a lack of funding and relying too much on volunteers. On the other hand, involving the local community and connecting gardening activities to the school curriculum seemed to help. The authors concluded that more solid, numbers-based research is needed to back up the positive experiences reported in the studies. They suggest future research should focus on how to best support school gardens so they can provide the most benefits.

Link

Ohly, H., Gentry, S., Wigglesworth, R. et al. (2016). A systematic review of the health and well-being impacts of school gardening: Synthesis of quantitative and qualitative evidence. BMC Public Health, 1, 286

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