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/
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
Let’s take a look at this weeks weather: How about Ohio going from snow to 60 within the 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:
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.
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.
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!
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.
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. I recommend you get them planted this week so we can get some good germination and early growth before the winter.
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.
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!
I will be teaching a class on Indoor Growing Using Hydroponics at the Grandview Heights Public Library on Thursday November 6th @ 6:30pm. We will discuss the basics of hydroponics, what type of systems are out there, and what varieties of fruit, vegetable, and herbs you can grow indoors at home. The event is free and open to the public so bring your friends and your questions!
CLICK HERE for directions to the Grandview Heights Public Library.
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 look at this weeks weather:
Make sure to have the season extension garden cover over your plants this week and over the weekend!
This Week Outdoors
It looks like we will get rain this week, but if we do not, then consider another round of watering by the end of the week if your soil seems dry.
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.
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.
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!
Applications Open October 24: Franklin County Community Garden Grant
The 2026 Franklin County Community Garden Grant is made possible through the support of Franklin County and Franklin Park Conservatory. Central Ohio continues to thrive as a hub for community gardening and urban agriculture. This grant program provides funding to help local groups re-purpose underused land and to create, continue, or expand community gardens and greenspaces.
The goal of the grant program is to increase access to healthy, affordable, and local food particularly for people in under-resourced neighborhoods and to connect individuals to the many life-enhancing benefits of community gardening, including health and wellness, environmental stewardship, community building, and neighborhood beautification.
Nonprofit with community-based gardening efforts are invited to apply for funding of up to $1,500 to support their projects in 2026.
Applications are open from October 24-November 24. Grant recipients will be notified by January 2026. Grant-funded projects must be completed by October 2026.
Have any questions or need assistance applying? Join Franklin Park Conservatory Growing to Green staff on Tuesday, October 28 from 12:30-2:00 PM for a virtual grant walkthrough and Q&A session. HERE is the link to join the discussion.
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 look at this weeks weather:
Make sure to have the season extension garden cover over your plants this week!
This Week Outdoors
We got decent rain yesterday so your plants should have a pretty good week of growing.
Consider another round of watering by the end of the week if your soil seems dry.
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.
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!
