Research on the use of gardens as an integral part of school curriculum has the potential to address many concerns in the American classroom, such as students' lack of interest in school, teachers feeling disempowerment and lack of administrative support, and school and community disconnection. Many school districts have gained recognition for their work with gardens and how it has impacted student academic achievement. Yet little research is available about garden spaces used as magnets for collaboration between communities and schools. The purposes of this qualitative interview study were to explore educators' experiences and perceptions on the use of gardens as a teaching tool and space for school and community collaboration. The data for this research was collected through semi-structured interviews with nine educators incorporating gardens in their lessons, observations, field notes of educators and their students in the garden spaces, and lastly, established literature in the field. The main research criteria were active usage and integration of the garden space into lessons, an active understanding of eco-consciousness, and identifiable teaching philosophy. Barriers to the successful implementation and sustenance of a school garden included a lack of administrative and teacher buy-in, community reluctance, lack of professional development opportunities, funding, and challenges faced during school closures. Strategies to facilitate efforts to transcend barriers included investing in high-quality professional development seminars, institutionalizing school and community support through school-based community gardens, and giving more administrative support. Holistic integration of garden spaces into the curriculum using Eco pedagogical approaches such as place-based education (PBE) and ecojustice education (EJE) holds the answers to many challenges faced in schools today. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]