Week in the School Garden February 2, 2026

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?

Check out the new Growing Teachers page at the OSU Farm to School website!


Lets take a look at the weather: (Last year on February 3rd, 2025 it was 61 degrees!!!)


Outside in the raised beds:

  • It looks like another week of letting the outdoor plants chill under the row cover.  Last year this week had 61 degrees!  But we had just had a polar vortex.  I do not know about you but I am about done with winter already. 
  • The good news is that the snow has been a great insulator for the plants and as it melts, it waters them for you.
  • Make sure to wait until the season extension garden cover is fully thawed before you pop open and check the plants. The best time to do this will be around mid-day. Replace the season extension garden cover after you harvest to let the heat build back up. 

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


Here is a video that show how to safely harvest and store your fresh leafy greens

 


Inside under LED lights:  

This month’s seed starting under LED lights is collard greens, for transplanting outside in the raised beds later in the spring. If you and your kiddos really liked the bok choy and you have the space under your lights and have some bok choy seed left then you can plant that as well. Email questions to me at mcdermott.15@osu.edu

The video below shows how to seed start kale.  It would be the same process for lettuce, bok choy, collard greens, and spinach.  The spinach will take at least a week to germinate however, while the other seeds will germinate in just a few days.

 

All of the seedlings we are planting now can will be able to be transplanted outside later on, or if you want to let them grow indoors until they are harvested you can do that too.


Thinning seedlings is very important so that they grow properly without competing with each other.  Here is a thinning video to answer any questions you have.  Remember to bottom water the seedlings prior to thinning so that they slip out OK.  If they are too tangled, gently use scissors to remove the unwanted seedling.


Inside in the Aerogarden:

This month we are planting tomatoes in the Aerogarden.  If you planted herbs in the Aerogarden last semester you will need to clean out the unit before you plant your tomatoes so you can start fresh with a clean Aerogarden.  Follow the instructions for tomato planting carefully, a link to the guide is below. If you need tomato pods then contact Katie.

  • Plant just one tomato pod in the Aerogarden Harvest.
  • Keep the small plastic dome on the pod until germination.
  • Remove the small plastic dome after the seed sprouts.
  • Thin to only one tomato plant in the system.
  • Keep the other holes covered with the black or white plastic caps to keep light from entering into the reservoir with the nutrient system.

 

One tomato pod in an Aerogarden Harvest centered in the middle to get the most light, with the rest of the holes capped off.


There are more than one seedling in the cup. You need to gently thin to only one tomato seedling per pod.


Do you need seeds or seed starter for your project?  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 tomatoes.


 

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

School Garden Week of January 26, 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!

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

Check out the new Growing Teachers page at the OSU Farm to School website!


Lets take a look at the weather:

One word: Brutal!


Outside in the raised beds:

  • I recommend that you inspect the raised beds to make sure the season extension garden cover is secure, especially later in the week due to some seriously cold overnight temperatures in the forecast. 
  • Looks like chilly weather this week.  I do not see much opportunity to take a harvest.  Make sure not to try to open the season extension garden cover if it is frozen or it will tear. 

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


Inside under LED lights:  

This month’s seed starting under LED lights is lettuce.  If you did not get a chance to plant spinach or kale you can seed start them as well this month.  If you and your kiddos really liked the bok choy and you have the space under your lights and have some bok choy seed left then you can plant that as well.  If you do not have space to plant all of those,  and remember that we will be planting collard greens in pots in February so we need to plan on a little space for them.  Prioritize spinach and kale if you do not have any outside in the raised bed since the kiddos will be tasting them in the next two months. Email questions to me at mcdermott.15@osu.edu

Here is a planting example:

Example: There are 32 pots in the tray.  You could plant 8 lettuce, 8 kale, and 8 spinach now.  Then plant 8 collard greens in February.  Or substitute some bok choy or collard greens in for some of the kale and spinach.  Let me know if you have questions. 

The video below shows how to seed start kale.  It would be the same process for lettuce, bok choy, collard greens, and spinach.  The spinach will take at least a week to germinate however, while the other seeds will germinate in just a few days.

 

All of the seedlings we are planting now can will be able to be transplanted outside later on, or if you want to let them grow indoors until they are harvested you can do that too.

Make sure that you thin to only one seedling per pot!  This is very important.  Here is a thinning video for you to review the process:


Inside in the Aerogarden:

This month we are planting tomatoes in the Aerogarden.  If you planted herbs in the Aerogarden last semester you will need to clean out the unit before you plant your tomatoes so you can start fresh with a clean Aerogarden.  Follow the instructions for tomato planting carefully, a link to the guide is below. If you need tomato pods then contact Katie.

  • Plant just one tomato pod in the Aerogarden Harvest.
  • Keep the small plastic dome on the pod until germination.
  • Remove the small plastic dome after the seed sprouts.
  • Thin to only one tomato plant in the system.
  • Keep the other holes covered with the black or white plastic caps to keep light from entering into the reservoir with the nutrient system.

 

One tomato pod in an Aerogarden Harvest centered in the middle to get the most light, with the rest of the holes capped off.

 

Do you need seeds or seed starter for your project?  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 tomatoes.


 

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

School Garden Week of January 19, 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!

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

Check out the new Growing Teachers page at the OSU Farm to School website!


Lets take a look at the weather:

 


Outside in the raised beds:

  • I recommend that you inspect the raised beds to make sure the season extension garden cover is secure, especially later in the week due to some seriously cold overnight temperatures in the forecast. 
  • Looks like chilly weather this week.  I do not see much opportunity to take a harvest.  Make sure not to try to open the season extension garden cover if it is frozen or it will tear. 

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


Inside under LED lights:  

This month’s seed starting under LED lights is lettuce.  If you did not get a chance to plant spinach or kale you can seed start them as well this month.  If you and your kiddos really liked the bok choy and you have the space under your lights and have some bok choy seed left then you can plant that as well.  If you do not have space to plant all of those,  and remember that we will be planting collard greens in pots in February so we need to plan on a little space for them.  Prioritize spinach and kale if you do not have any outside in the raised bed since the kiddos will be tasting them in the next two months. Email questions to me at mcdermott.15@osu.edu

Here is a planting example:

Example: There are 32 pots in the tray.  You could plant 8 lettuce, 8 kale, and 8 spinach now.  Then plant 8 collard greens in February.  Or substitute some bok choy or collard greens in for some of the kale and spinach.  Let me know if you have questions. 

The video below shows how to seed start kale.  It would be the same process for lettuce, bok choy, collard greens, and spinach.  The spinach will take at least a week to germinate however, while the other seeds will germinate in just a few days.

 

All of the seedlings we are planting now can will be able to be transplanted outside later on, or if you want to let them grow indoors until they are harvested you can do that too.

Make sure that you thin to only one seedling per pot!  This is very important.  Here is a thinning video for you to review the process:


Inside in the Aerogarden:

This month we are planting tomatoes in the Aerogarden.  If you planted herbs in the Aerogarden last semester you will need to clean out the unit before you plant your tomatoes so you can start fresh with a clean Aerogarden.  Follow the instructions for tomato planting carefully, a link to the guide is below. If you need tomato pods then contact Katie.

  • Plant just one tomato pod in the Aerogarden Harvest.
  • Keep the small plastic dome on the pod until germination.
  • Remove the small plastic dome after the seed sprouts.
  • Thin to only one tomato plant in the system.
  • Keep the other holes covered with the black or white plastic caps to keep light from entering into the reservoir with the nutrient system.

 

One tomato pod in an Aerogarden Harvest centered in the middle to get the most light, with the rest of the holes capped off.

 

Do you need seeds or seed starter for your project?  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 tomatoes.


 

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

School Garden Week of January 12, 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!

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

Check out the new Growing Teachers page at the OSU Farm to School website!


Lets take a look at the weather:


Outside in the raised beds:

  • I recommend that you inspect the raised beds to make sure the season extension garden cover is secure, especially later in the week due to some seriously cold overnight temperatures in the forecast. 
  • Looks like chilly weather this week.  I do not see much opportunity to take a harvest other than perhaps Wednesday.  Make sure not to try to open the season extension garden cover if it is frozen or it will tear. 

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


Inside under LED lights:  

This month’s seed starting under LED lights is lettuce.  If you did not get a chance to plant spinach or kale you can seed start them as well this month.  If you and your kiddos really liked the bok choy and you have the space under your lights and have some bok choy seed left then you can plant that as well.  If you do not have space to plant all of those,  and remember that we will be planting collard greens in pots in February so we need to plan on a little space for them.  Prioritize spinach and kale if you do not have any outside in the raised bed since the kiddos will be tasting them in the next two months. Email questions to me at mcdermott.15@osu.edu

Here is a planting example:

Example: There are 32 pots in the tray.  You could plant 8 lettuce, 8 kale, and 8 spinach now.  Then plant 8 collard greens in February.  Or substitute some bok choy or collard greens in for some of the kale and spinach.  Let me know if you have questions. 

The video below shows how to seed start kale.  It would be the same process for lettuce, bok choy, collard greens, and spinach.  The spinach will take at least a week to germinate however, while the other seeds will germinate in just a few days.

 

All of the seedlings we are planting now can will be able to be transplanted outside later on, or if you want to let them grow indoors until they are harvested you can do that too.


Inside in the Aerogarden:

This month we are planting tomatoes in the Aerogarden.  If you planted herbs in the Aerogarden last semester you will need to clean out the unit before you plant your tomatoes so you can start fresh with a clean Aerogarden.  Follow the instructions for tomato planting carefully, a link to the guide is below. If you need tomato pods then contact Katie.

  • Plant just one tomato pod in the Aerogarden Harvest.
  • Keep the small plastic dome on the pod until germination.
  • Remove the small plastic dome after the seed sprouts.
  • Thin to only one tomato plant in the system.
  • Keep the other holes covered with the black or white plastic caps to keep light from entering into the reservoir with the nutrient system.

 

One tomato pod in an Aerogarden Harvest centered in the middle to get the most light, with the rest of the holes capped off.

 

Do you need seeds or seed starter for your project?  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 tomatoes.


 

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

School Garden Week of January 5, 2026

Happy New Year and Welcome Back!

 

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?

Check out the new Growing Teachers page at the OSU Farm to School website!


Lets take a look at the weather:


Outside in the raised beds:

  • I recommend that you inspect the raised beds to make sure the season extension garden cover is secure. 
  • This week has an unusual warming period for this time of year, but since we will be warm, you should have the opportunity to pop open the top of the season extension garden cover to see how your plants look and perhaps even take a harvest!  The best days for this are Thursday and Friday looking at the forecast. 

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


Inside under LED lights:  

This month’s seed starting under LED lights is lettuce.  If you did not get a chance to plant spinach or kale you can seed start them as well this month.  If you and your kiddos really liked the bok choy and you have the space under your lights and have some bok choy seed left then you can plant that as well.  If you do not have space to plant all of those,  and remember that we will be planting collard greens in pots in February so we need to plan on a little space for them.  Prioritize spinach and kale if you do not have any outside in the raised bed since the kiddos will be tasting them in the next two months. Email questions to me at mcdermott.15@osu.edu

Here is a planting example:

Example: There are 32 pots in the tray.  You could plant 8 lettuce, 8 kale, and 8 spinach now.  Then plant 8 collard greens in February.  Or substitute some bok choy or collard greens in for some of the kale and spinach.  Let me know if you have questions. 

The video below shows how to seed start kale.  It would be the same process for lettuce, bok choy, collard greens, and spinach.  The spinach will take at least a week to germinate however, while the other seeds will germinate in just a few days.

 

All of the seedlings we are planting now can will be able to be transplanted outside later on, or if you want to let them grow indoors until they are harvested you can do that too.


Inside in the Aerogarden:

This month we are planting tomatoes in the Aerogarden.  If you planted herbs in the Aerogarden last semester you will need to clean out the unit before you plant your tomatoes so you can start fresh with a clean Aerogarden.  Follow the instructions for tomato planting carefully, a link to the guide is below. If you need tomato pods then contact Katie.

  • Plant just one tomato pod in the Aerogarden Harvest.
  • Keep the small plastic dome on the pod until germination.
  • Remove the small plastic dome after the seed sprouts.
  • Thin to only one tomato plant in the system.
  • Keep the other holes covered with the black or white plastic caps to keep light from entering into the reservoir with the nutrient system.

 

One tomato pod in an Aerogarden Harvest centered in the middle to get the most light, with the rest of the holes capped off.

 

Do you need seeds or seed starter for your project?  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 tomatoes.


 

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 15, 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!

Check out the new Growing Teachers page at the OSU Farm to School website!


Lets take a look at the weather:


Outside in the raised beds:

A cold start to the week for sure!

  • 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, which looks to be either Wednesday or Thursday this week.
  • 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!

Hydroponics Class at Franklin Park Conservatory on Tuesday January 13th at 6pm

Home hydroponics is one of the fastest growing and most popular topics that I get asked about.  If you would like to learn the basics of hydroponics and how you can get started growing your own fresh produce indoors 24/7/365, I will be teaching this free Communal Garden Class at Franklin Park Conservatory on Tuesday January 13th at 6pm.  While the class is free, they do ask that you register by using the QR code in the flyer or clicking this link –> https://www.fpconservatory.org/events/the-communal-garden-hydroponics/

 

Click here to register –> https://www.fpconservatory.org/events/the-communal-garden-hydroponics/

Click to view, print, or download the flyer –> FPC Hydroponics Flyer

School Garden Week of December 8, 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!

Check out the new Growing Teachers page at the OSU Farm to School website!


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.
  • 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

 

Make sure you are harvesting often!  I have had 4 basil harvest from my hydroponic unit so far and it still looks like a jungle!  This also keeps the plants under the lights.

 


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 1, 2025

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!

Check out the new Growing Teachers page at the OSU Farm to School website!


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.
  • 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

 

Make sure you are harvesting often!  I have had 4 basil harvest from my hydroponic unit so far and it still looks like a jungle!  This also keeps the plants under the lights.

 


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 17, 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!

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. 

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. 


If you have next week off, take this week to make plans for your plants!  You can take the Aerogarden home with you if needed and make sure to water the outside plants this Friday before you leave.  Have a safe and restful Thanksgiving holiday. 


Let’s take a look at this weeks weather:  


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:

  • This month is planting spinach and kale outdoors.  After our cold start to the week, if you still need to plant, there will be better planting days around mid-week. If you have not had a chance to plant, I recommend you still get some seeds in the ground.  Getting seeds started is the goal now as they will grow over winter for January and February harvest. 
  • Add a little fertilizer prior to seeding the raised beds so that the spinach and kale can use that to grow. 
  • 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. 
  • 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:

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.
  • Harvest frequently to keep the plants under the light canopy!

Inside under LED lights.  

We should have Bok Choy growing under the lights right now. They can be transplanted into the raised beds or you can mature them under the lights. Check out the transplanting video above for guidance.

If you are still starting seeds under the lights, then 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!