Author: Timothy McDermott

School Garden Week of December 16th, 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. 

Lets take a look at the weather:

Outside in the raised beds:

We have gotten great rain this week so far.  That will go a long way towards keeping the plants under the row cover growing.

  • I recommend that you inspect the raised beds to make sure the season extension garden cover is secure. 
  • If you do need to check your plants or do maintenance of the season extension garden cover, try to do the work around the middle of the day on a day that is above freezing.
  • Make sure to only work the season extension garden cover if is is fully thawed.  If it is frozen, it will tear.
  • Otherwise, after you make sure the season extension garden cover is secure, they you should be good to go until after break.

Here is a video from the GTS Online Modules to learn more about Season Extension

Inside in the Aerogarden:

You probably have some plants still growing strong in the Aerogarden.  You have two options heading into break:

  1. You can harvest any produce that is left, then clean out and store the unit until 2025. 
  2. You can take the unit home and enjoy produce over break.  Keep in mind we will need to clean and replant the unit in tomatoes in January. 

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 to harvest all your plants this week and clean out the pots and trays.  The Bootstrap Farmer equipment that the GTS teachers are using can do in the top shelf of the dishwasher.   Getting all the growing materials cleaned this week will allow you to get a head start on growing when you return in 2025!

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

Have a safe and restful Christmas break!

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

School Garden Week of December 9th, 2024

Welcome Back!  I hope everyone had a safe and restful Thanksgiving break.

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. 

Lets take a look at the weather:

Outside in the raised beds:

We hopefully get some much needed rain to water our seedling in the raised beds this week.

  • If the rain goes away, I think watering on Monday or Tuesday during the brief warm up would be a great idea.
  • Monday and Tuesday’s warm up is a good time to see how the plants did in the cold and potentially grab a harvest.
  • I recommend that you inspect the raised beds to make sure the season extension garden cover is secure. 
  • If you do need to check your plants or do maintenance of the season extension garden cover, try to do the work around the middle of the day on a day that is above freezing.
  • Make sure to only work the season extension garden cover if is is fully thawed.  If it is frozen, it will tear.

Here is a video from the GTS Online Modules to learn more about Season Extension

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.  

We should have Bok Choy growing under the lights right now. You may be getting a harvest!

  • Make sure you bottom water your seedlings as needed, and especially check on Friday before you leave for the weekend.
  • Make sure you fertilize according to the label directions.  This is the pink crystal fertilizer from Katie, not the same as the Aerogarden.

Do you need a refresher on bottom watering!  Here you go!

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 December 2nd, 2024

Welcome Back!  I hope everyone had a safe and restful Thanksgiving break.

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. 

Lets take a look at the weather:

Outside in the raised beds:

There are not a lot of tasks to do this week in the raised beds due to the cold.

  • I recommend that you inspect the raised beds to make sure the season extension garden cover is secure. 
  • I do not see much time this week to get a harvest or to check the plants. Only on Wednesday does the daytime temperature get above freezing.
  • If you do need to check your plants or do maintenance of the season extension garden cover, try to do the work around the middle of the day on a day that is above freezing.
  • Make sure to only work the season extension garden cover if is is fully thawed.  If it is frozen, it will tear.

Here is a video from the GTS Online Modules to learn more about Season Extension

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.  

We should have Bok Choy growing under the lights right now. You may be getting a harvest!

  • Make sure you bottom water your seedlings as needed, and especially check on Friday before you leave for the weekend.
  • Make sure you fertilize according to the label directions.  This is the pink crystal fertilizer from Katie, not the same as the Aerogarden.

Do you need a refresher on bottom watering!  Here you go!

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 November 17th, 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:

  • It looks like we will have pretty good rain this week.  This will allow your baby spinach and kale seeds to get good root growth. 
  • Make sure you have your season extension garden cover and low tunnels good to go as we need them for the cold overnights. I recommend you use the cover this entire week and likely for the rest of the winter. 
  • You may be getting a harvest now,  Send me pics of your produce!! Make sure to let the season extension garden cover thaw before you try to open the cover to water or to harvest. Around mid-day is best.  Then replace the cover. 

I got some questions about the hardening off process.  There is a great video that I linked below, in the online GTS modules.

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.

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.  

We should have Bok Choy growing under the lights right now.

  • Make sure you bottom water your seedlings as needed, and especially check on Friday before you leave for the weekend.
  • Make sure you fertilize according to the label directions.  This is the pink crystal fertilizer from Katie, not the same as the Aerogarden.

Do you need a refresher on bottom watering!  Here you go!

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!

Farm Resource Class Series from OSU Extension – How to Lose Less on the Farm

My OSU Extension colleagues will be hosting both an online and in-person series of classes titled How to Lose Less on the Farm. The five part class series stretches from December to February and includes topics such as budgets, record keeping, alternative crops, taxes, and more. There is no charge for the class but they do ask for registration for planning and require registration if you wish to attend online.

 

CLICK this LINK to register.  The online link will be sent shortly before the class.

For questions please contact the Madison County Extension Office at 740-852-0744

School Garden Week of November 11th, 2024

I want to thank all of our Veterans who sacrificed to keep our country safe. Thank You!

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:

  • If you did not get a chance to plant spinach and kale seeds last week, I recommend you get them planted this week so we can get some good germination and early growth before the winter.
  • Make sure to water the seed bed until your seeds germinate.  Kale germinates quickly, usually in a few days, spinach can easily take a week until you see germination.
  • Make sure you have your season extension garden cover and low tunnels good to go as we need them for the cold overnights. I recommend you use the cover this entire week and likely for the rest of the winter. 
  • If you planted last week, you should see some germination.   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!! Make sure to let the season extension garden cover thaw before you try to open the cover to water or to harvest. Around mid-day is best.  Then replace the cover. 

I got some questions about the hardening off process.  There is a great video that I linked below, in the online GTS modules.

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.

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.  

We should have Bok Choy growing under the lights right now.

Make sure you have all of the pots, seed starting mix, lights, cord and timers needed for indoor planting.    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 November 4th, 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 can be planted this week.
  • Make sure you have your season extension garden cover and low tunnels good to go as we need them for the cold overnights.

I got some questions about the hardening off process.  There is a great video that I linked below, in the online GTS modules.

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!!
  • I recommend you use season extension garden cover this week, we have some colder nights in 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. Check out the hardening off video above if you have questions about that.

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!

Home Hydroponics Class at the Urban Farm Church on Wednesday November 13th, 2024 at 6pm

Home Hydroponics is one of the most popular classes I get asked to teach.  I get lots of questions from clients on this topic including what can I grow, what kind of lights do I need, how does this system work.  It can be a little bewildering but the benefits are amazing!  All this will be addressed at The Urban Farm Church on 11/13 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!

Table top unit growing eight heads of lettuce in less than a month!

CLICK HERE to Register

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

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!