Author: Timothy McDermott

School Garden Week of October 28th, 2024

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?

 

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. 

 

 

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:

  • Make sure that you have your seed for spinach and kale as those will be planted soon.
  • Make sure you have your season extension garden cover and low tunnels good to go as we need them for the cold overnights.

 

This Week Outdoors

  • We have not gotten much rain at all in the past couple of weeks and we have the return of warm weather.  Make sure to go outside to the raised beds and give the plants a good watering at the beginning of the week and again on Friday before you leave for the weekend.
  • Otherwise we have some good growing weather this week!
  • You may be getting a harvest now,  Send me pics of your produce!!
  • You may or may not need to cover with season extension garden cover during the week, but I do recommend you use the season extension garden cover for the upcoming weekend based on the forecast.

 

If you have any transplants that need to go outside,  wait until mid-day to put them out,  water them in deeply, then cover the raised bed with season extension garden cover.

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

Inside in the Aerogarden:

Hopefully your Aerogarden herbs are doing great.  Let me know if you have any questions and feel free to send me some pics!  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 November Seed Starting is going to be 

 

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!

School Garden Week of October 21st, 2024

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. 

 

 

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

  • We have not gotten much rain at all in the past couple of weeks and we have the return of warm weather.  Make sure to go outside to the raised beds and give the plants a good watering at the beginning of the week and again on Friday before you leave for the weekend.
  • Otherwise we have some good growing weather this week!
  • You may be getting a harvest now,  Send me pics of your produce!!
  • You may or may not need to cover with season extension garden cover during the week, but I do recommend you use the season extension garden cover for the upcoming weekend based on the forecast.

 

If you have any transplants that need to go outside,  wait until mid-day to put them out,  water them in deeply, then cover the raised bed with season extension garden cover.

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

Inside in the Aerogarden:

Hopefully your Aerogarden herbs are doing great.  Let me know if you have any questions and feel free to send me some pics!  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!

School Garden Week of October 14th, 2024

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. 

Pull out the season extension garden cover this week!  We have some chilly nights!!

 

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. I would wait until about mid-day to plant if you are going to do so, then I would water the seeds in, and cover the seed bed with the season extension garden cover due to our cold nights this week. 
  • 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:

If you have any transplants that need to go outside,  wait until mid-day to put them out,  water them in deeply, then cover the raised bed with season extension garden cover.

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

Inside in the Aerogarden:

Hopefully your Aerogarden herbs are doing great.  Let me know if you have any questions and feel free to send me some pics!  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!

Growing Over Winter Class at The Urban Farm Church on Wednesday October 16th @ 6pm

Winter Gardening is here!  Ohio is a four season growing environment.  We can get a harvest here of fresh produce all 12 months of the year.  What can we do right NOW! All this will be addressed at The Urban Farm Church on 10/16 at 6pm.  This class is free and open to the public but does require registration (so they know how many snacks to make!) so bring your friends and your questions!  If the weather is nice we can do a little garden walk too!

CLICK HERE to Register

Spinach growing under row cover in January

 

You can learn more about The Urban Farm Church HERE plus find directions to the class (lots of free parking!) HERE

Growing Garlic Class at Mt. Carmel Healthy Living Center on Wednesday October 16th @ 1pm

I will be teaching a class on Growing Garlic in the Home Garden in partnership with the Mt. Carmel Healthy Living Center, 777 West State St.,  on Wednesday October 16th @ 1pm.  The class is free and open to the public but they do ask for registration to ensure there is enough space.  Bring your friends and your questions and hope to see you there!

Heads of garlic, shown at the top, are separated into individual cloves. Select large healthy cloves to use as planting stock. Photo by Timothy J. Malinich, Ohio State University Extension.

Click Here for a Garlic Fact Sheet from OSU Extension

Check out the registration link below to register for this class as well as view a ton of other free learning opportunities.

CLICK this LINK to Register

CLICK HERE for directions to the center

School Garden Week of October 7th, 2024

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!

School Garden Week of September 30th, 2024

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. 

Well, how about that rain!  Your outdoor plantings in the raised beds got a much needed drink.  Hopefully they are thriving.  Send me some pictures!

 

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. We had good rain on already planted seedlings, but if you still need to plant,  make sure you water on Friday before you leave for the weekend.
  • Our September planting outdoors is radishes, peas, and cilantro.  I still recommend you plant them if you have not had a chance,  you can enjoy them next month.  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.  

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 cilantro.
  • 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!

School Garden Week of September 23rd, 2024

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. 

Most of the guidance from last weeks post is still applicable for this week so I kept it in place.  Other than the weather.  Let’s check out the forecast.

 

It is amazing to me the lack of rainfall that we have experienced in the past several months.  What it means for you at school is that when you plant seeds outside, you need to water daily until germination at these high temperatures, and then will need to continue to water the seedlings until we get some rain, which according to the above predictions, may actually occur this week!!

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.  If it does not rain you will need to water the seed bed until germination and then every day or two until we get rainfall.
  • Our September planting outdoors is radishes, peas, and cilantro.  I still recommend you plant them if you have not had a chance,  you can enjoy them next month.  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. 

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.  

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 cilantro.
  • Remove the humidity dome after germination.
  • Thin to one seedling per pot as shown in the video.

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!

Market to Garden this Thursday September 19th with Bronzeville Growers Market and the Growing and Growth Collective

There is a fun evening of learning, shopping, and enjoying the company of friends this Thursday, September 19th, 2024 for Market to Garden.  Come start at the Bronzeville Growers Market for fresh produce and other items starting at 3pm.  I will be presenting in an open discussion format at 4pm at the Market on Fall Planting and what you can plant right NOW for a harvest this fall, over winter, and even in to 2025!

Bronzeville Growers Market @MPACC’s Box Park
occurs every Thursday
July 11 to September 26   3 – 6 pm
at 925 Mt. Vernon Avenue, corner of 17th.

Free parking is located across from the market.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Bronzeville Growers Market

From there it is a short, ten minute walk over to the Hildreth Community Garden for the Garden Walk portion of the day.  CLICK for Walking Directions.

This Columbus Land-Bank Community Garden is led by the Growing and Growth Collective. 

Where we will continue our discussion of growing over winter and maximizing the harvest!

Hildreth Community Garden 1201 Hildreth Ave. Columbus, OH 43203 –> CLICK For Directions

The weather is supposed to be great that night.  Both the events are free to attend so bring your friends, your walking shoes, and your questions this Thursday! (Plus a little spending money to purchase fresh goods from the Market!)