Where Can I Get Support for School Gardening Projects in Bristol?
- Alex Montgomery
- Dec 16, 2025
- 4 min read
School gardens are more than outdoor classrooms, they’re spaces where students connect with nature, learn life skills, and understand where food really comes from.
In Bristol, the demand for school gardening projects is growing fast. Teachers, parents, and communities are realising that gardening can improve wellbeing, teach science in action, and build environmental awareness from the ground up.
At Generation Soil, we’re helping schools across Bristol turn unused corners of land into living learning spaces powered by compost, microbes, and community collaboration.
Why Start a School Gardening Project?
A well-designed school garden provides benefits that reach far beyond the classroom.
Educational Benefits:
Teaches biology, ecology, and food systems through hands-on learning.
Encourages curiosity, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Health & Wellbeing:
Exposure to soil microbes like Mycobacterium vaccae can boost mood and immunity.
Gardening promotes mindfulness, physical activity, and time outdoors.
Environmental Impact:
Students learn how food grows, why soil health matters, and how composting reduces waste.
School gardens model sustainable practices that children can carry into adulthood.
With the right support, every school, no matter how urban, can grow food, biodiversity, and community pride.
Support for School Gardening in Bristol
1️⃣ Generation Soil’s Education & Workshop Programme
Generation Soil offers a range of workshops and tailored support for schools looking to start or improve their gardens.
Our team helps schools:
🪱 Set up on-site composting systems (bokashi bins, wormeries, or mini hubs).
🌼 Teach students about soil health, microbes, and circular food systems.
🌳 Create pollinator habitats and edible gardens that support biodiversity.
We also provide educational resources that link to the national curriculum, from science to sustainability.
2️⃣ Bristol Food Network, Edible Bristol & Local Growing Partners
Bristol’s growing community is rich with organisations that support schools in learning, growing & composting together.
Connects educators and growers city-wide. Offers newsletters, events & funding tips for food education and composting projects.
Transforms public spaces into edible landscapes and teaches schools about urban growing, biodiversity & pollinator planting.
Provides school visits, growing sessions & compost education. Pupils learn about soil, animals & sustainability in a hands-on farm environment.
Runs environmental workshops & farm tours for schools in South Bristol, exploring biodiversity, food production & waste reduction.
Delivers gardening & food-growing programmes with a focus on community resilience. Offers compost workshops & school support in South Bristol.
Together, these partners form a powerful local network. By linking with them, schools can share tools, compost & knowledge, creating a city where every child learns regeneration by doing.
3️⃣ Soil Association’s Food for Life Programme
This national initiative supports schools in developing healthy, sustainable food cultures. Schools can access:
Free resources on cooking and growing.
Professional development for teachers.
Guidance on embedding sustainability into school meals and gardens.
Schools in Bristol can join the Food for Life network to gain recognition and funding support for sustainable food education.
4️⃣ The Community Farm (Chew Magna)
Just outside Bristol, The Community Farm offers educational visits and growing sessions for schools. Children can learn about composting, soil health, and organic farming in a real-world setting.
It’s a brilliant day-trip option for hands-on agricultural education.
5️⃣ Bristol City Council Growing Initiatives
Through programmes like Get Growing Bristol and The Sustainable City Team, the council supports school gardens with grants, tool libraries, and connections to community growers.
Keep an eye on local funding rounds and community newsletters. Small grants can often cover soil, compost, or garden infrastructure.
How to Fund a School Garden Project
Starting a garden doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are a few funding routes Bristol schools have used successfully:
1️⃣ Crowdfunding: Platforms allow parents and local businesses to contribute.
2️⃣ Grants: Apply for education or sustainability grants from organisations.
3️⃣ Partnerships: Work with local groups to share materials, compost, and expertise.
4️⃣ Volunteer days: Invite parents, carers, and students to help with planting and maintenance.
How Generation Soil Supports School Gardens
We’re proud to work directly with schools across Bristol to supply living compost, design regenerative spaces, and teach soil science in action.
Our support includes:
Compost delivery made from Bristol food waste.
Workshops on microbes, soil regeneration, and composting.
Bokashi starter kits for classroom composting experiments.
Custom garden designs that combine education, food production, and ecology.
Each project contributes to the Bristol Living Compost Project, connecting schools to a city-wide network of circular composting and food-growing initiatives.
Bringing Regeneration into the Classroom
Soil is the perfect teaching tool. Through interactive activities, students can:
Observe worms and fungi under microscopes.
Track how food waste becomes compost.
Learn how microbes make nutrients available to plants.
By helping children understand soil as a living ecosystem, not just “dirt”, we’re nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards.
How to Get Started
Contact Generation Soil: Tell us about your school and growing goals.
Book a Workshop: Train teachers or students in composting and soil health.
Order Living Compost: Delivered to your school, ready to transform your beds.
Celebrate Progress: Share your garden journey with the community!
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