Taking Root Garden Design is now offering local homeschool garden and nature classes.
See below for more information or share with someone you know!
Taking Root Homeschool Collective
Exploring God’s Creation Through Nature and the Garden
I’m a fellow homeschool mom of 10+ years as well as a garden designer and nature educator and I’d love to share my passion for God’s creation with your kids! Kids are indoors and on screens more than ever these days but there is an antidote- time in nature and in the garden! But what does that look like? If you want your children to spend more time outdoors and in the garden but aren’t sure where to start, I’m here to help.
Summer 2026 Classes
This summer Taking Root Homeschool Collective is offering some exciting standalone classes. We'll dive deeper into tackling trails and growing a garden. For the summer we'll be having longer classes that will allow us to be spend more time with trailside exploration, hands-on plant projects or both!
We'll get your kids out into nature in new and exciting ways. Classes are geared for children ages 5-12. If your child is outside of that range but you feel they are able to participate please contact us at takingrootgardendesign@gmail.com.
All classes require a parent to stay on site. Younger siblings are welcome to play quietly in the background during class.
Check out our topics below!
Garden Growers Workshop: Pizza Container Garden
Trailside Teaching: Navigation, Compass Cues and Reading the Landscape
Garden Growers Workshop: Bees, Bugs and Pollinators
Trailside Teaching: Plant ID, Natives & Nature Journaling
Garden Growers Workshop: Wonders of Wildflowers
Trailside Teaching: Creeks and Rivers
Trailside Teaching: 1.5 hours*
Topic teaching and warm up at trailhead
On trail with guided stops:
Observation
nature journaling
collecting samples
water/snack break
Nature game and wrap up
*trailside teaching classes will involve hikes of approximately 1.5-2.5 miles
Discover how our favorite pizza ingredients grow right from the soil! Learn what pizza plants need to thrive and how they come together to make a delicious meal. Dig into basic gardening skills like planting, watering, and caring for their mini garden. Each student will create their own “pizza garden” in a container, planting a mix of pizza ingredients they can take home and grow.
Location: Evans Park, Spring Hill
Thursday June 4th 9-10:30 a.m.
$25 for each child registration
$30 materials fee per pizza garden
Garden Growers Workshop: 1.5 hours
Topic Teaching and warm up at pavillion
Outdoor exploration of topic
Hands on project
Nature Game and wrap up
Class Prices:
See class prices below. All material costs are included unless otherwise specified. If you submit 4 or more class registrations, you receive 10% off your class fee. For example, if you have two children and you pick two classes to register them in, that is 4 total class registrations.
Learn how to find your way using cardinal directions, maps, and natural clues from the landscape. Explore how to use a compass, understand north, south, east, and west, and practice simple map-reading skills through fun, guided activities. Discover how to navigate by observing the sun, landmarks, and features of the landscape.
Location: Henry Horton State Park, Chapel Hill
Thursday June 18th 9-10:30 a.m.
Rain Date: Monday June 22nd 9-10:30 a.m.
$25 for each child registration
Dive into the busy world of bees, bugs, and other amazing pollinators! Explore how these tiny creatures help our plants grow. Build a pollinator hotel—an inviting shelter where helpful insects can rest, nest, and stay safe.
Location: Fischer Park, Spring Hill
Thursday June 25th 9-10:30 a.m.
$28 for each child, includes all materials for insect hotel registration
Learn how to identify plants and discover native species. Observe characteristics and patterns in nature to recognize common plants and read the landscape. Using simple prompts, drawing, and note-taking, learn how to create a detailed nature journal page in nature or in your own neighborhood.
Location: Peacock Hill Nature Center, College Grove
Thursday July 2nd 9-10:30 a.m.
Rain Date: Monday July 6th 9-10:30 a.m.
$25 for each child registration
Explore the colorful world of wildflowers and discover they support pollinators and bring life to our landscapes. Learn how to recognize common wildflowers and the importance of native blooms. Spend time observing their shapes, colors, and patterns up close. Make a clay wildflower press pot with nature-inspired designs.
Location: Maury County Park, Columbia
Thursday July 9th 9-10:30 a.m.
$30 per child registration, includes all materials for clay pots.
Explore how these flowing waters shape the land and support life all around them. Learn how water moves through a watershed, observe currents and flow, and look closely at the plants and animals that call these habitats home.
Location: Henry Horton State Park, Chapel Hill
Thursday July 30th 9-10:30 a.m.
Rain Date: Monday August 3rd 9-10:30 a.m.
$25 for each child registration