Commercial Gardening for Schools and Public Spaces: Creating Healthier, Greener Places
Green spaces are vital for creating healthy, vibrant communities. In schools and public spaces, gardens bring enormous benefits – not only improving the landscape but also supporting mental wellbeing, environmental learning, and community spirit. Effective landscape design and ongoing commercial gardening services can turn otherwise empty patches of land into thriving areas that inspire, educate, and connect people of all ages.
In this guide, BZ Gardens will explore the value of commercial gardening for schools and public spaces, the key elements that can make these gardens thrive, and the lasting impact they bring to local communities.
The Importance of Green Spaces in Schools and Public Areas
Health and Wellbeing Benefits
Gardens are increasingly recognised for their positive impact on physical and mental health. For school students, access to green spaces has been shown to reduce stress, increase focus, improve academic performance, and even decrease screen time.
School gardens that are well-maintained through effective commercial gardening encourage physical activity during breaktime and provide students with opportunities to connect with nature, both of which contribute to better health and well-being. This is particularly important for young people who are among the estimated 9.6 million people in the UK with limited access to green spaces near their homes.
For the wider community, gardens offer a place to enjoy fresh air and nature, promoting relaxation and physical activity. Access to natural environments has been shown to enhance mental health and boost overall happiness in the general population, making green spaces a vital component of liveable, sustainable communities.
Additionally, plants in public green spaces act as natural air filters, improving air quality by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen, while also helping to regulate urban temperatures through their cooling effects. This is particularly important in cities, where air pollution is a major environmental threat to public health.
Educational Value
Gardens are natural classrooms, providing hands-on learning opportunities that bring lessons to life. Through school gardening projects, students can learn about a range of subjects, from biology, ecology, and environmental science to art and nutrition.
By growing plants, students gain a deeper understanding of nature and sustainability, helping them to become more eco-conscious and equipping them with practical gardening skills – such as composting, organic gardening, and water conservation – that they can take into their home lives.
Even if schools do not actively involve students in gardening activities, green spaces maintained through commercial gardening still provide the opportunity for children to learn about ecosystems and observe local wildlife.
Community Building
Public and school gardens aren’t just for individuals – they’re also community assets. When shared spaces like local parks are designed for all to enjoy, they become gathering spots that encourage connection.
At schools, gardens, grounds, and playing fields allow teachers, students, and parents to come together in nature, participating in outdoor activities that foster community interaction.
Meanwhile, public parks regularly attract residents and local visitors alike to share in their beauty. Socially, these green spaces offer inclusive spaces for recreation, relaxation, and exercise, which is why bodies like Historic England are keen to promote their importance.
Important Aspects of Commercial Gardening for Schools and Public Spaces
Landscaping with Low-Maintenance Plants That Improve Biodiversity
For a garden to thrive in public spaces, it needs resilient, low-maintenance plants. Native species of trees, shrubs, and flowers are naturally suited to the local climate, needing less water and fewer resources to grow successfully.
Incorporating a wide range of these plants also creates mini-ecosystems that support local wildlife species, from insects and birds to small mammals. In addition, using pollinator-friendly plants like lavender, buddleia, and wildflowers helps attract bees, butterflies, and other essential insects, which boosts biodiversity.
When designing or revamping a public-use green space, it can be helpful to confer with experienced commercial gardening companies like BZ Gardens, who can provide guidance on the best plants for your specific needs and local environment.
Year-Round Visual Interest and Education Opportunities
Seasonal plants keep gardens looking lively and fresh throughout the year. Especially during the colder winter months, beautiful seasonal blooms like pansies, snowdrops, and winter aconites add beauty to communal green spaces, which encourages their on-going use in any weather conditions.
In schools, as well as keeping the grounds looking appealing, seasonal planting can serve as a teaching tool, allowing students to observe the changes in plant life and to learn about growing cycles – even if they are just watching the planting being carried out as part of commercial gardening services, rather than participating in it themselves.
Maintaining Accessibility
Accessible pathways and seating areas allow everyone, including people with limited mobility, to enjoy public gardens. These elements ensure that green spaces are welcoming and inclusive, providing spaces where people can sit, relax, and enjoy nature.
In schools, accessible paths make it easy for all students to engage with different areas of the grounds, while benches offer a comfortable place to read, chat, or simply observe the plants and wildlife around them.
Ongoing commercial gardening activities such as weeding, hedge trimming, and pruning are vital to ensure that trees and shrubs do not obstruct paths or seats, which could otherwise hinder access.
Ensuring Safety During Physical Activity
Keeping playing fields and recreational areas well-maintained and hazard-free ensures safety for anyone playing sports on school grounds or in public green spaces.
Through regular mowing, levelling, and removal of debris, commercial gardening providers can prevent trip hazards such as uneven ground or overgrown vegetation. Maintenance teams also address issues like drainage to avoid waterlogged or slippery areas, ensuring fields remain safe for use in various weather conditions.
Benefits of Professional Commercial Gardening Services for Schools and Public Spaces
Professional Knowledge
Creating and maintaining public gardens requires expertise to ensure the right plants, layout, and features are chosen for lasting success.
Professional commercial gardening providers like BZ Gardens bring the experience and skills needed to assess your site, recommend designs/implement spaces tailored to your specific needs, and provide ongoing maintenance plans that keep the garden healthy and accessible for all.
Seasonal Maintenance Plans
To keep a public or school garden healthy and usable year-round, regular maintenance is essential. However, school caretakers or local volunteers may not have the specialised skills or physical ability needed to carry out large-scale maintenance on their own.
Professional commercial gardening providers will create and implement a detailed horticultural maintenance plan that includes tasks such as regular lawn cutting, pruning, mulching, and weeding to keep your grounds in prime condition. These schedules also account for seasonal needs, ensuring that your plants are cared for appropriately in changing weather conditions.
Sustainable Practices
Experienced horticulturalists can recommend sustainable commercial gardening practices that not only benefit your green space, but also show visitors the importance that your organisation places on environmental responsibility.
For instance, rainwater harvesting systems can reduce water usage, while green waste disposal practices reduce carbon emissions while recycling your organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.
Increased Property Value and Community Appeal
Green spaces enhance the appeal and value of any property, including public spaces and schools. Well-maintained gardens and grounds attract more visitors, provide a positive impression to students and staff, and can even improve property value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What types of plants work best for schools and public gardens?
A: Native, low-maintenance, and pollinator-friendly plants are ideal choices when designing schools and public gardens, as they support local ecosystems, require less upkeep, and attract beneficial insects.
Q: How do commercial gardening services benefit schools and public spaces?
A: Professional gardening services bring expertise in design, plant selection, and maintenance, ensuring that gardens are healthy, accessible, and aligned with the goals of each specific space.
Q: What services are included in commercial gardening maintenance?
A: Ongoing maintenance activities that are tailored to your specific requirements will be defined in your personalised maintenance plan, but may include lawn mowing, pruning, hedge trimming, debris removal, weeding, pest control, seasonal planting, and fertiliser management, to name a few examples.
Reap the Benefits of Commercial Gardening and Maintenance with BZ Gardens
Commercial gardening services for schools and public spaces help create greener, healthier environments that benefit everyone.
Beautifully-kept green spaces support mental and physical wellbeing, encourage environmental education, and strengthen community bonds, all while contributing to a more sustainable future.
By working with professional groundskeepers like BZ Gardens, you can turn any public space into a thriving green haven that educates, inspires, and connects.
If you’re considering creating a green space that can serve as a valuable resource for your community, or want to better maintain an already existing garden, our experienced team of commercial gardening experts can help. Reach out to BZ Gardens today to find out how we can help you with landscape design, groundwork, ongoing horticultural maintenance, and more.