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!
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.
MODULE ALERT! –> OSU migrated the modules to a new online platform. They are now live and can be subscribed to. Unfortunately there is a $10 cost to access the modules due to the new migration.
We are looking for ways to mitigate this and have started to populate a location on the Farm to School Website that is free. CLICK HERE to access that site.
Let’s take a look at this week’s weather. Break out the season extension garden cover!
It looks like we are due to get a little bit of cold overnight. I recommend that you cover your beds with the season extension garden cover starting on Wednesday and leaving the cover on the raised beds going forward.
This Week Outdoors
- We are due for a little rain early in the week, but if you do not get rain, make sure to water 1-2 times this week. You also may want to consider adding fertilizer to the water, per the label, to ensure the outdoor produce is growing well.
- You may be getting a harvest now, Send me pics of your produce!!
For CCS teachers if you need soil, seeds, or fertilizer let Katie know.
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
- You should be starting to get some good growth in the aerogarden. Make sure that you are checking the water level regularly, and add water when needed. Make sure to check on Friday before you leave for the weekend.
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!