School Garden Week of October 13, 2025

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. 


It looks like a great week for growing!

You probably do not need to use the season extension garden cover, but it will not hurt if you leave it on, and will protect the veggies and herbs. 


This Week Outdoors

  • We got several inches last week, but we have no rain in the forecast so I recommend you water this week one to two times.  Friday would be a good time to water as we get some heat next weekend. 
  • You probably do not need to use the season extension garden cover, but it will not hurt if you leave it on, and will protect the veggies and herbs.
  • Make sure to use the fertilizer to feed the plants as directed.
  • You may be getting a harvest now,  Send me pics of your produce!!


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!

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

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