This is a weekly look at what is happening in the school garden to assist teacher educators engage their students in agriculture.  It can be used by garden students of all ages however!

Have you been using the Growing Teachers Throughout the Seasons guidebook to assist you with your growing?

There is a ton of information in the guidebook but also in the 20 Online Modules including kid-friendly videos to assist you with your indoor and outdoor planning.  The online modules are free and easy to use and include a new Introductory Video that walks you through the GTS process.  Click to access the Online Modules. 

Let’s take a look at this week’s weather. Looks like we have no rain predicted so we need to make sure to water the plants at least twice per week, making sure to water on Friday before the weekend.

Outside in the raised beds:

There are some tasks we are looking to get started outdoors this week if possible.  Some action items for those who are using GTS:

Want to learn what Growing Teachers Throughout the Seasons (GTS) is?  Check out the Guidebook HERE and the 20 Online Modules HERE!  It is a great way for a teacher to learn how to engage their kiddos in agriculture in a data driven and teacher tested method based on the academic calendar. 

This Week Outdoors

• You can plant seeds outdoors any day this week. Make sure to water until germination plus on Friday before you leave. 
• While it is getting a little chilly this week overnight,  we should be fine with our cold tolerant plants and not need to cover them.  I do recommend you make sure you have your season extension garden cover ready to go as we will use it soon enough!
• You may be getting a harvest now,  Send me pics of your produce!!
• Our September planting outdoors was radishes, peas, and cilantro.  I still recommend you plant radishes and cilantro if you have not had a chance, peas probably will not have enough time to mature.  Make sure to water them until they germinate and to thin them.  Check out the GTS modules for a thinning video to help you with this.  Or watch it right here:

For CCS teachers if you need soil, seeds, or fertilizer let Katie know.

If you did not cover your raised bed make sure to remove all the weeds in the bed before you start!

Do you need to get raised beds started and want to learn how to do that?  I made a quick little video to walk you through the process.

Here is a quick and engaging video with information on best varieties to seed or plant directly.

Inside in the Aerogarden:

It is time to get some herbs started in the Aerogarden! Make sure you have seed pods and fertilizer.  Any CCS teachers who need supplies should contact Katie.

Aerogarden has some great information on planting on their website.  CLICK HERE for their product manual website.

Click here for the Aerogarden planting guide for herbs –> herb_tending_and_harvesting_guide

Inside under LED lights.  

Our October Seed Starting is Bok Choy and it needs to be started right away.  Check out the seed starting video below which uses kale, but works the exact same for Bok Choy.

Make sure you have all of the pots, seed starting mix, lights, cord and timers needed for indoor planting.  We can direct sow cilantro in 2″ pots for either growing and harvesting indoors or for transplanting outdoors.  I have a video below that will help you with direct sowing seeds in pots.

• Even though the video shows kale being planted, the technique is the same for bok choy.
• Remove the humidity dome after germination.
• Thin to one seedling per pot as shown in the video.

Are you getting ready to harvest?  Here is a video for safe harvest and storage.

Let me know what questions you have!  Make sure you engage your kiddos in the process. Looking forward to a wonderful Ag in the Classroom season!

Want to see what others are doing?  Check out the Columbus City School gardens at ccs_growing_teachers on Insta!