A beloved corner of St. Margaret’s Episcopal School’s campus is experiencing new life this spring. The school’s Garden has undergone a thoughtful redesign—one that brings both innovation and inspiration to the Early School students who often learn in the space.
The refreshed space includes a newly installed iron trellis that marks the entrance to the school’s garden, also featuring a newly constructed “chicken condo,” a large, carefully designed coop where Early School students may observe and care for live chickens. Alongside it, a new water feature, improved accessible pathways, and raised flower beds create an engaging environment for Early School students to explore.
From identifying patterns in seeds to observing how plants respond to watering, St. Margaret’s youngest Tartans are developing foundational scientific thinking in the Garden. The Early School educators emphasize that time spent learning and playing outdoors supports holistic child development.
“The collaborative nature of gardening builds a culture of care and belonging, as children take turns watering, harvesting, and feeding the hens,” said Erika Garcia, St. Margaret’s Early School outdoor and motor development teacher. “These shared responsibilities foster a sense of interdependence and strengthen classroom relationships.
“Planting with purpose allows children to witness the full life cycle of plants from tiny seeds to thriving plants, and with that comes powerful lessons,” Ms. Garcia added. “When children carefully place seeds in the soil, tend to them each day, and observe them grow, they are learning about responsibility, patience, and care. And when it comes time to harvest, we often hear proud declarations like, ‘I grew this!’”