Seed Starting

School Garden Week of November 27th, 2023

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!

 

Thanks for sending me pictures!  I am responding to them as fast as possible.  Keep sending them to me,  I enjoy seeing your progress.

Let’s check out the forecast.

 

I recommend you keep the row cover over your plants due to the overnight temperatures.

Outside in the raised beds:

This month is planting of spinach and kale.

This week planting recommendations:

  • All days this week – keep your beds covered with the season extension garden cover.
  • If you have not had a chance to plant spinach and kale outdoors, you could try to plant on Thursday but would need to wait until mid-day for the beds to warm up and then cover with the season extension garden cover after you plant. This is probably our last window to plant outdoors in 2023.
  • If the season extension garden cover is frozen, do not try to open it or it may tear.

For CCS teachers if you need soil, seeds, or fertilizer let Katie know.

Thanks to Cedric for the pics of the amazing Bok Choy he is growing with his kiddos at CCPSB.

Inside in the Aerogarden:

Hopefully you have had good germination and are getting good plant growth in your Aerogarden.  Send me some pictures and I will post them in the weekly email.

 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

If you have germination already, you should be thinning to one seedling per pod.  Make sure to cover up the unplanted openings to keep light from the nutrient solution.

Inside under LED lights.  

How are your plants growing under your LED lights?  Send me some pictures and I will use them in the weekly email.  You will need to fertilize every two weeks.  The fertilizer for indoor LED lights is the pink crystals delivered through bottom watering mixed according to the instructions on the package.

Tips on Bottom Watering:  We have been getting lots of questions regarding bottom watering.  Here is a step by step look at the process:

  1. Be sure to bottom water twice per week under the LED.  Watering before you leave school on Friday is recommended as one of the times.
  2. Remove the insert tray holding the pots from the the bottom tray.
  3. Fill the bottom tray half full of water.
  4. Place the pots in the water so that they can absorb water through the holes on the bottom of the pots to fully hydrate the soil.
  5. Leave them in the water for about 30 minutes until fully hydrated.
  6. Dump the extra water from the bottom tray.
  7. Replace the insert tray into the bottom tray and put the pots back into the insert tray to drain.
  8. Every two weeks add fertilizer to the bottom water according to the label.

Check out this portion of the seed starting video that shows bottom watering.

 

  • Check below for thinning pictures.  The seedlings are kale, but the technique is the same.  Bottom water if you are going to gently pull the seedling from the pot as it will slide out of moist soil.  If the seedlings are too mature, or too close together, then trim the seedlings off at the soil level with scissors.
  • As your plants grow, keep the seedlings within a few inches of the LED light panel so that they do not get too leggy.

I planted three seeds and all three germinated. I need to thin to one seedling. Any of them would make a good plant, but if I keep all of them they will compete. I need to thin to a single plant in the pot.

 

 

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!

School Garden Week of November 13, 2023

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!

 

Thanks for sending me pictures!  I am responding to them as fast as possible.  Keep sending them to me,  I enjoy seeing your progress.

Let’s check out the forecast.

 

I recommend you keep the row cover over your plants due to the overnight temperatures.  There are good opportunities to plant or check existing plants.  There is very little rain in the forecast so water new seeds daily until germination and water growing plants at least twice per week.  Try to make one of the watering days be Friday, if it does not rain, so it is watered over the weekend.

Outside in the raised beds:

This month is planting of spinach and kale.

This week planting recommendations:

  • All days this week – keep your beds covered with the season extension garden cover.
  • All days are good planting days for spinach and kale,  make sure to water your seeds after planting to promote good germination.
  • If you want to pop the top on row cover to take a quick peek, any day will work this week, just wait until closer to mid-day so that the micro-environment warms up. Just be sure to cover back up when done viewing the garden.
  • If the season extension garden cover is frozen, do not try to open it or it may tear.

For CCS teachers if you need soil, seeds, or fertilizer let Katie know.

Inside in the Aerogarden:

Hopefully you have had good germination and are getting good plant growth in your Aerogarden.  Send me some pictures and I will post them in the weekly email.

 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

If you have germination already, you should be thinning to one seedling per pod.  Make sure to cover up the unplanted openings to keep light from the nutrient solution.

There are three basil seedlings in this pod. They need to be thinned until there is one left.

Inside under LED lights.  

How are your plants growing under your LED lights?  Send me some pictures and I will use them in the weekly email.  You will need to fertilize every two weeks.  The fertilizer for indoor LED lights is the pink crystals delivered through bottom watering mixed according to the instructions on the package.

Tips on Bottom Watering:  We have been getting lots of questions regarding bottom watering.  Here is a step by step look at the process:

  1. Be sure to bottom water twice per week under the LED.  Watering before you leave school on Friday is recommended as one of the times.
  2. Remove the insert tray holding the pots from the the bottom tray.
  3. Fill the bottom tray half full of water.
  4. Place the pots in the water so that they can absorb water through the holes on the bottom of the pots to fully hydrate the soil.
  5. Leave them in the water for about 30 minutes until fully hydrated.
  6. Dump the extra water from the bottom tray.
  7. Replace the insert tray into the bottom tray and put the pots back into the insert tray to drain.
  8. Every two weeks add fertilizer to the bottom water according to the label.

Check out this portion of the seed starting video that shows bottom watering.

 

Tips for early seedling care. 

Check out the seed starting video for the technique.  It is kale in the video, but the technique is the same:

  • Check below for thinning pictures.  The seedlings are kale, but the technique is the same.  Bottom water if you are going to gently pull the seedling from the pot as it will slide out of moist soil.  If the seedlings are too mature, or too close together, then trim the seedlings off at the soil level with scissors.
  • As your plants grow, keep the seedlings within a few inches of the LED light panel so that they do not get too leggy.

I planted three seeds and all three germinated. I need to thin to one seedling. Any of them would make a good plant, but if I keep all of them they will compete. I need to thin to a single plant in the pot.

 

Thinned to a single strong seedling that can grow to maturity and harvest in the pot, or can be transplanted outside.

If you have transplants ready to go outside,  here is a video to watch with your kiddos to guide you on that process:

It is getting close to Thanksgiving break.  If you have good growth in your Aerogarden and you are really careful, you may want to consider taking it home if the break is a long one like last year.  I will have guidance on the indoor and outdoor growth in raised beds and under the lights. 

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!

School Garden Week of October 30th, 2023

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!

 

Thanks for sending me pictures!  I am responding to them as fast as possible.  Keep sending them to me,  I enjoy seeing your progress.

Let’s check out the forecast.

 

It looks like our nice weather is taking a break this week.  You will need to cover up your raised beds today with season extension garden cover.  If you have plastic, it would not be a bad idea to cover your beds with the plastic overnight as well.  Make sure if you cover with plastic overnight that you remove the plastic in the morning on the sunny days or it might get too hot for your plants. 

  

Outside in the raised beds:

This month is planting of spinach and kale.

This week planting recommendations:

  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,  and Friday – keep your beds covered with the season extension garden cover.
  • Thursday and Friday – good planting days for spinach and kale,  make sure to water your seeds after planting to promote good germination.
  • If the season extension garden cover is frozen, do not try to open it or it may tear.
  • Cover your beds with season extension garden cover Friday before you leave school if the weather changes and gets cold like it did this past weekend.

For CCS teachers if you need soil, seeds, or fertilizer let Katie know.

Inside in the Aerogarden:

Hopefully you have had good germination and are getting good plant growth in your Aerogarden.  Send me some pictures and I will post them in the weekly email.

 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

If you have germination already, you should be thinning to one seedling per pod.  Make sure to cover up the unplanted openings to keep light from the nutrient solution.

There are three basil seedlings in this pod. They need to be thinned until there is one left.

Inside under LED lights.  

How are your plants growing under your LED lights?  Send me some pictures and I will use them in the weekly email.  You will need to fertilize every two weeks.  The fertilizer for indoor LED lights is the pink crystals delivered through bottom watering mixed according to the instructions on the package.

Tips on Bottom Watering:  We have been getting lots of questions regarding bottom watering.  Here is a step by step look at the process:

  1. Be sure to bottom water twice per week under the LED.  Watering before you leave school on Friday is recommended as one of the times.
  2. Remove the insert tray holding the pots from the the bottom tray.
  3. Fill the bottom tray half full of water.
  4. Place the pots in the water so that they can absorb water through the holes on the bottom of the pots to fully hydrate the soil.
  5. Leave them in the water for about 30 minutes until fully hydrated.
  6. Dump the extra water from the bottom tray.
  7. Replace the insert tray into the bottom tray and put the pots back into the insert tray to drain.
  8. Every two weeks add fertilizer to the bottom water according to the label.

 

Tips for good germination and growth:

  • October is Bok Choy planting time under the LED lights.

Check out the seed starting video for the technique.  It is kale in the video, but the technique is the same as they are cousins.

  • Remove the humidity dome after germination.
  • If you do not have a humidity dome, you can use plastic wrap to lightly cover to provide humidity for germination.  Uncover the plastic wrap after seed germinate.
  • Check below for thinning pictures.  The seedlings are kale, but the technique is the same.  Bottom water if you are going to gently pull the seedling from the pot as it will slide out of moist soil.  If the seedlings are too mature, or too close together, then trim the seedlings off at the soil level with scissors.
  • As your plants grow, keep the seedlings within a few inches of the LED light panel so that they do not get too leggy.

I planted three seeds and all three germinated. I need to thin to one seedling. Any of them would make a good plant, but if I keep all of them they will compete. I need to thin to a single plant in the pot.

 

Thinned to a single strong seedling that can grow to maturity and harvest in the pot, or can be transplanted outside.

If you have transplants ready to go outside,  here is a video to watch with your kiddos to guide you on that process:

We had a fun PD recently with some new methods to grow.  Here are some pics for you to enjoy of some alternate ways to grow in hydroponics in your classroom.

Here is a Miracle Gro 12 unit growing at Berwick K-8. Looking great and growing marigold, poppy, spinach, and turnip. Looking forward to seeing how they grow.

The tower garden is growing like crazy!

 

We will have snap peas to eat soon. Peas are self-pollinating.

 

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!

School Garden Week of October 9th.

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!

Let’s check out the forecast.

We have good growing weather this week.  Make sure you water every day until germination then every 2-3 days since we have had very little rain.   While I see a little bit of low temperatures this week  I do not think we will need to use season extension to protect the baby plants at that temperature.

While we do not need to use the season extension  garden cover right now, it is a good idea to find your cover and your PVC supports if you removed them before the summer break.  Make sure to locate those materials now for when we see some frost on the ten day forecast. 

To get great germination, water every day until your seeds germinate in your raised beds. 

Outside in the raised beds:

This week planting recommendations:

  • Monday through Thursday – all are potential planting days for outdoor seeding.  Make sure to water seeds deeply after planting and then each day until germination.
  • Friday – While we have rain in the weekend forecast, I recommend you try to water your seeds in the ground or your seedlings in your raised beds before you leave for the weekend.
  • No need for season extension right now, outdoor school gardens next to schools, playgrounds, and parking lots are generally pretty good micro-environments for growing.

For CCS teachers if you need soil, seeds, or fertilizer let Katie know.

This row of radishes needs to be thinned to one radish every 3-4 inches. Water before you thin to make the thinning process easier.

 

This row of radishes is thinned to the correct spacing to allow the radishes to develop.

Inside in the Aerogarden:

Hopefully you have had good germination and are getting good plant growth in your Aerogarden.  Send me some pictures and I will post them in the weekly email.

 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

If you have germination already, you should be thinning to one seedling per pod.  Make sure to cover up the unplanted openings to keep light from the nutrient solution.

There are three basil seedlings in this pod. They need to be thinned until there is one left.

Inside under LED lights.  

How are your plants growing under your LED lights?  Send me some pictures and I will use them in the weekly email.  You will need to fertilize every two weeks.  The fertilizer for indoor LED lights is the pink crystals delivered through bottom watering mixed according to the instructions on the package.

Tips for good germination and growth:

  • Remove the humidity dome after germination.
  • If you do not have a humidity dome, you can use plastic wrap to lightly cover to provide humidity for germination.  Uncover the plastic wrap after seed germinate.
  • Check below for thinning pictures.  The seedlings are kale, but the technique is the same.  Bottom water if you are going to gently pull the seedling from the pot as it will slide out of moist soil.  If the seedlings are too mature, or too close together, then trim the seedlings off at the soil level with scissors.

I planted three seeds and all three germinated. I need to thin to one seedling. Any of them would make a good plant, but if I keep all of them they will compete. I need to thin to a single plant in the pot.

 

 

Thinned to a single strong seedling that can grow to maturity and harvest in the pot, or can be transplanted outside.

 

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!

Check out the Apple Crunch flyer below for a fun activity you can do with your kiddos.

School Garden Week of September 18th, 2023

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!

Welcome Back!!  I am excited to get started growing with you and your kiddos. Lots of information in this post will be similar to last weeks as I know that many of you are just getting started in your growing.  You can always email me with any questions to mcdermott.15@osu.edu

Let’s check out the forecast.

 

Wow is this great planting weather or what!   Check out the planting recommendations below. Not a lot of rain forecast this week so make sure you water as needed. To get great germination, water every day until your seeds germinate in your raised beds. 

Outside in the raised beds:

There are some tasks we are looking to get started outdoors this week if possible.   Not a lot of rain in the ten day forecast so make sure that you water every day until you get germination. Some action items for those who are using GTS:

  1. Uncover your raised bed by removing the black plastic  if you covered the beds over the summer.  Add soil if needed to bring the level up.
  2. Save the black plastic!  Fold it up and store it for use at the end of May next year.
  3. Add some fertilizer according to the label on the package.
  4. For GTS we are planting radishes, cilantro, and peas outdoors in the raised bed.  Other veggies that could be seeded if you have the seeds would be leafy greens, carrots, and green onions.
  5. Plant according to seed size.  We plant seeds about 3 times as deep as the seeds are large.  Radish and cilantro seeds are tiny so they are planted only about 1/4 inch deep. Peas are larger so they are planted about 1 inch deep.
  6. Make sure to thin your seedlings when they come up so that they end up about 3-4 inches apart.
  7. Water as needed after germination, but likely once or twice a week based on rain until harvest.

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.

Outdoor planting recommendations:

  • Planting can be done any day this week.
  • With no rain forecast this week, make sure you water your seed bed every day until your seeds germinate.
  • No need for season extension right now.

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.  You can do comparisons with your students about how they grow in each system.   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.
  • If you do not have a humidity dome, you can use plastic wrap to lightly cover to provide humidity for germination.  Uncover the plastic wrap after seed germinate.
  • 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!

 

Apple Crunch time is coming up!

CLICK HERE to Register for Apple Crunch

School Garden Week of September 4th, 2023

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!

Welcome Back!!  I am excited to get started growing with you and your kiddos.

Let’s check out the forecast.

It is looking a little too hot to plant today and tomorrow but then we have a welcome batch of fall weather.  Check out the planting recommendations below.

 

Outside in the raised beds:

There are some tasks we are looking to get started outdoors this week if possible.  Since the heat breaks after tomorrow we will have great planting weather going forward.  Not a lot of rain in the ten day forecast so make sure that you water every day or so until you get germination. Some action items for those who are using GTS:

  1. Uncover your raised bed by removing the black plastic  if you covered the beds over the summer.  Add soil if needed to bring the level up.
  2. Save the black plastic!  Fold it up and store it for use at the end of May next year.
  3. Add some fertilizer according to the label on the package.
  4. For GTS we are planting radishes, cilantro, and peas outdoors in the raised bed.  Other veggies that could be seeded if you have the seeds would be leafy greens, carrots, and green onions.
  5. Plant according to seed size.  We plant seeds about 3 times as deep as the seeds are large.  Radish and cilantro seeds are tiny so they are planted only about 1/4 inch deep. Peas are larger so they are planted about 1 inch deep.
  6. Make sure to thin your seedlings when they come up so that they end up about 3-4 inches apart.
  7. Water as needed, but likely once or twice a week based on rain until harvest.

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!

 

Want to grow at home this Fall?  You are supported not only in your school but in your backyard or community garden space as well.  I did a video in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy on Fall growing you may be interested in.

Living Your Best Garden Life: Fall Gardening! with The Nature Conservancy on Wednesday August 9th, 2023 @ 6:30pm

Do you want to live your best garden life?  I will be partnering with The Nature Conservancy to continue our webinar series about how you can Live Your Best Garden Life: Fall!

Did you know fall is an excellent time to grow fresh veggies?  Want to harvest produce for the Thanksgiving (and Christmas!) dinner table?  We will be talking not only summer harvest, but what to plant NOW for a fall harvest deep into the season.   The webinar event is free and open to the public but does require registration so bring your friends and your questions on Wednesday August 9th @ 6:30pm.

CLICK HERE to Register. 

Did you miss our other webinars?  Click on the YouTube links below:

Living Your Best Summer Garden Life

Living Your Best Spring Garden Life

Living Your Best Garden Life: Spring 2023

For those who could not make the Living Your Best Garden Life: Spring Planning and Planting webinar that I did in partnership with The Nature Conservancy last week you are in luck!  We recorded the webinar and you can access it below:

We will be Living Our Best Garden Life: Summer on Wednesday May 3rd, 2023 @ 6:30pm.  The event is free and open to the public but does require registration.  Link to register is below,  bring your friends and your questions so you can Live Your Best Garden Life this summer!

Link to register for Living Your Best Summer Garden Life webinar on Wednesday May 3rd @ 6:30pm

School Garden Week of March 20th, 2023.

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!

 

CCS GTS Teachers!   Keep your eyes open on your email for an email from Lauren Preston to pick your times for end of the season focus group times. 

 

Let’s check out the forecast.  It looks pretty good.

It looks like we will have some planting weather going forward! I will provide guidance below in this email.

 

The weather predictions for the rest of the school year look great for planting, transplanting, and harvesting outdoors.

This is a great prediction for a future harvest from the raised beds.

Outside in the raised beds:

It looks like we have a good window of opportunity to plant outside in the raised beds.  I would do my planting any day from Wednesday to Friday this week.  If you have leftover seeds from fall here is what you can plant:  radishes, peas, cilantro, lettuce, kale, and bok choy.   Any cool season vegetable can be planted now.  If you have some seeds in your classroom of other varieties let me know and I am happy to provide any recommendations or guidance. 

Please Note:  Plant your peas in the middle of the raised bed as they will get the tallest. Meaning down the middle in the tallest part of the raised bed.

If you have transplants in the raised bed growing right now, I recommend that you fertilize them every two weeks by mixing the pink Miracle Gro fertilizer in your watering can when you water.  If you need seeds or fertilizer contact Katie and she can check to see what she has.

 

Inside in the Aerogarden:

Tomatoes are growing in the Aerogarden.   Follow the instructions for tomato planting carefully.  Make sure you are checking water levels and fertilize as needed.  Make sure you check water levels each Friday before you leave school so that the water level does not drop too low over the weekend.  CLICK HERE for the Aerogarden planting guide.

Make sure to check your water level and fertilize as needed to keep the plants healthy. Keep your lights about 1-2″ from the leaves to avoid leggy plants.  Remember If you started two plants in your Aerogardens, you might need to thin to only one plant or they will overwhelm the Aerogarden eventually. You will need to start pollinating your tomato flowers once they appear.  Check the Aerogarden site for guidance on pollinating.  You will also need to do some pruning of your tomato plants to keep them growing correctly.

All of that is detailed very well in the Aerogarden Tomato Guide  –> tomato_planting_guide

 

Inside under LED lights.  

How do your plants look under the LED lights?   Make sure you continue to fertilize every two weeks as they grow.  The bigger they get the more you will have to water.

Make sure that you fertilize your outside plants every two weeks mixed in water according to the label.  Contact Katie if you need more fertilizer.  It is the pink crystal one for indoor seed starting and watering plants outside,  not the Aerogarden fertilizer. If you have some Shake and Feed from prior years that would be a good choice.

This week in transplanting:

  • Tuesday:  Keep the raised bed covered to build up heat,  start the hardening off process by placing transplants outside for a few hours to acclimate to the outdoor world.  Bring them inside before you leave for the day.
  • Wednesday: A good day to harden off seedlings for a few hours.  A good day to plant under row cover if this is your only option to plant.
  • Thursday and Friday: Good planting dates.  Be careful about thunderstorms.  The predicted rain will be helpful to new transplants.
  • Be sure to re-cover your beds after you transplant.
  • Use only row cover and not the extra plastic layer so that the plants get watered when it rains.

Check out the transplanting video below to help with the process:

 

I want to thank the students at Eastmoor Academy.  I had a wonderful time planting with them this morning.   They named a tomato after me which is much appreciated.

Any questions?  Feel free to email me at mcdermott.15@osu.edu

School Garden Week of March 13th, 2023

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!

 

CCS Teachers!   Keep your eyes open on your email for an email from Lauren Preston to pick your times for end of the season focus group times. 

 

The end of the week looks like we should have an opportunity for planting and harvesting outdoors.

 

Outside in the raised beds:

It looks like we have some cold weather (for the garden,  normal for March) to start the week.  I think Thursday is a good planting day for direct seeding under row cover.   Take a look at your seeds: there is a chance to plant some of the things that we may not have gotten a chance to plant in fall like radishes, peas, spinach and kale seeds this week outside under row cover.  A good day for this would be Thursday before Friday rain. (You could also plant Friday before the rain if you are able)  That will give you a chance at a spring harvest to share with your kiddos. 

If you want to check your plants make sure it is a warmer day,  close to 50 degrees which is the last half of the week.  It is best to open the covers closer to the middle of the day when it is a little warmer, and then close the covers up tight after you view plants or take a harvest in order to build the heat back up under the cover to protect the plants.  You will need to make sure the row cover is in place Friday for sure as we get cold again this weekend.  Make sure you do not have plastic over your row cover if you were using that to provide extra protection as we will have needed rainfall for the plants and the rain will pass right through row cover, but not plastic. If you have been using plastic as supplemental heat you will probably need to water as it may be dry in the raised bed. Make sure to fertilize when you water as the outdoor plants will need the feeding. 

IF you want to plant any extra peas this week, try to plant in the middle of the raised bed as they will be your tallest plant eventually. 

 

Inside in the Aerogarden:

 

I check the water every other day right now as the tomatoes are growing fast. I need to move the lights similarly. I pollinate and prune according to the Aerogarden tomato care guide linked below.

 

Make sure to cover up your unused holes in your Aerogarden. That keeps fungal disease from growing in the nutrient solution.

Tomatoes are growing in the Aerogarden.   Follow the instructions for tomato planting carefully.  Make sure you are checking water levels and fertilize as needed.  Make sure you check water levels each Friday before you leave school so that the water level does not drop too low over the weekend.  CLICK HERE for the Aerogarden planting guide.

Make sure to check your water level and fertilize as needed to keep the plants healthy. Keep your lights about 1-2″ from the leaves to avoid leggy plants.  Remember If you started two plants in your Aerogardens, you might need to thin to only one plant or they will overwhelm the Aerogarden eventually. You will need to start pollinating your tomato flowers once they appear.  You will also need to do some pruning of your tomato plants to keep them growing correctly.

All of that is detailed very well in the Aerogarden Tomato Guide  –> tomato_planting_guide

 

Inside under LED lights.  

How do your plants look under the LED lights?   Make sure you continue to fertilize every two weeks as they grow.  The bigger they get the more you will have to water.

Make sure that you fertilize your outside plants every two weeks mixed in water according to the label.  Contact Katie if you need more fertilizer.  It is the pink crystal one for indoor seed starting and watering plants outside,  not the Aerogarden fertilizer.

This week the best day to transplant seedlings outdoors is Thursday. You would want to harden the plants off a little bit each day outdoors to acclimate them prior to transplanting. . 

Check out the transplanting video below to help with the process:

Any questions?  Feel free to email me at mcdermott.15@osu.edu