A Gardener’s Guide to a Thriving Homeschool Year

As we stand at the threshold of a new school year, I want to welcome you to this exciting season of growth—not just for our children, but for us as their guides, their teachers, their gardeners. Today, I want to share a few thoughts on how we can cultivate a successful homeschool year by planning with purpose, evaluating with care, making changes with courage, and—most importantly—enjoying the process. Think of this year as a garden that each of you are tending where every seed you plant has the potential to bloom into something beautiful.  

Planting with Purpose: The Power of Planning  

Every thriving garden starts with a plan, likewise, every homeschooling year begins with a plan as well.  You wouldn’t just scatter seeds haphazardly and hope for the best—you map out your garden beds, choose the right plants for your soil and weather, and then decide where each one will flourish. Homeschooling is really no different. A solid plan is the foundation of a successful year. 

Start by setting clear goals for each child. What skills do you want them to master by spring? Maybe it’s reading fluently, tackling algebra, or discovering a passion. Write these goals down, but keep them flexible, remembering that in a garden, young saplings must be able to bend with the wind. Your plan might include a curriculum, a schedule, or a class. Some of you might prefer a loose daily flow over a rigid timetable. That’s okay as long as learning is taking place and progress made. The key is to have a vision for the year, a map to guide you.  

Each year, I would sit with my kids and ask, “What’s one thing you’d love to learn this year?” Often the answers were unexpected. Be ready! One year, a child of mine wanted to add climbing Mt. Everest to our PE time! We had to pivot a bit and landed on taking regular hikes and looking into the lives of the men and women who have made that climb.  We didn’t satisfy his original goal, but we did make time for his interest by supporting his interest. Climbing is a key part of his adult life today. That simple question will plant seeds of curiosity that will shape your entire year. So, take time this week to map out your garden, talk to your kids, define the big picture, that will point to the small seeds that you will plant now in order to see the growth later?  

Tending the Soil: Evaluating Progress  

Once your garden is planted, you don’t just walk away and hope it grows. You check the soil, water the plants, remove weeds, and watch for healthy growth. In homeschooling, this is evaluation—not the stressful kind, but a gentle, ongoing process of noticing what’s working and what isn’t.   

It’s setting aside time regularly, monthly and maybe at the end of each term—to reflect.  Are your kids engaged? Are they progressing toward those goals you set? Are you feeling energized or overwhelmed? One practical tool is a simple journal where you jot down what went well and what felt like a weed choking your plans.   

Evaluation isn’t about judgment; it’s about nurturing. Just as you’d test the soil to see what nutrients it needs, you’re checking in on your homeschool to see where you can add support. Maybe your child needs more hands-on projects, or maybe you need a day to rejuvenate! Be curious, not critical, and let evaluation guide your growth.  

Pruning for Growth: Making Changes with Courage  

Gardens don’t grow perfectly on their own. Sometimes, you need to prune a branch, move a plant to a spot with more or less sunlight, or even pull up something that’s not thriving. In homeschooling, this is where courage comes in—making changes when something isn’t working.  

It’s easy to feel locked into a curriculum or schedule because you invested time or money in it. But if it’s not serving your family, it’s okay to let it go. Watch your kids like your watch the plants in your garden. Make changes that will make everyone thrive.  Evaluation, followed by changes can bring life to your day. One year, a different child expressed interest in writing a book and without a whole lot of clarification as to what kind of book, I found this great curriculum. Write a novel in a year, or something like that. After a lot of frustration and misunderstanding, it all became clear. This child did not want to write a novel, but a board book.  Ahhh, yes, a lot fewer words and a ton of drawing. We were able to pivot and make that project an art assignment and add other writing to her language arts. That was an easy fix, however, not all struggles or desires can be accommodated.  Learning must be taking place and core subjects need to be part of your homeschooling.  

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Maybe you try unit studies instead or you swap morning lessons for afternoon ones to match your kids’ energy. Change doesn’t mean failure; it means you’re paying attention. Like a gardener, you’re adapting to the season, the weather, and the unique needs of your plants. Trust yourself to make those adjustments, and you’ll see your homeschooling efforts thrive.  

Enjoying the Harvest: Finding Joy in the Process  

Finally, let’s talk about the heart of it all—enjoying the process. Gardening isn’t just about the harvest; it’s about the joy of digging in the dirt, watching tiny sprouts emerge, and marveling at how a seed becomes a flower. Homeschooling is the same. Yes, we want our kids to learn, but we also want to savor these moments with them.  

Find ways to make learning a delight. Maybe it’s reading aloud under a tree, turning math into a baking project, or taking field trips to explore your community. Celebrate the small wins—a tricky concept finally clicking, a shy child speaking up in class, or even just a morning where everyone got along. These are the blossoms of your homeschool garden.  

And don’t forget to enjoy your growth as a homeschool parent. You’re learning alongside your kids—how to teach, how to stay patient, how to laugh when things go awry.  Someday, ask me about the spring we boiled chicken manure to create Knap Weed herbicide.   

Closing: Tending Your Unique Garden  

As you step into this school year, picture yourself as a gardener. And your homeschool a unique garden, full of potential and beauty. Plan with purpose. Evaluate with care. Make courageous changes. And above all, enjoy the process—savor the easy, joyful, unpredictable moments of tending your children’s minds and hearts.  

You’ve got this. Your garden doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. It just needs your love, your attention, and your willingness to keep growing. Here’s to a year of thriving, blooming, and harvesting joy together. Thank you, and happy homeschooling!