Winter Gardening is here! Ohio is a four season growing environment. We can get a harvest here of fresh produce all 12 months of the year. What can we do right NOW! All this will be addressed at The Urban Farm Church on 10/16 at 6pm. This class is free and open to the public but does require registration (so they know how many snacks to make!) so bring your friends and your questions! If the weather is nice we can do a little garden walk too!
I will be teaching a class on Growing Garlic in the Home Garden in partnership with the Mt. Carmel Healthy Living Center, 777 West State St., on Wednesday October 16th @ 1pm. The class is free and open to the public but they do ask for registration to ensure there is enough space. Bring your friends and your questions and hope to see you there!
Heads of garlic, shown at the top, are separated into individual cloves. Select large healthy cloves to use as planting stock. Photo by Timothy J. Malinich, Ohio State University Extension.
This is a weekly look at what is happening in the school garden to assist teacher educators engage their students in agriculture. It can be used by garden students of all ages however!
Have you been using the Growing Teachers Throughout the Seasons guidebook to assist you with your growing?
There is a ton of information in the guidebook but also in the 20 Online Modules including kid-friendly videos to assist you with your indoor and outdoor planning. The online modules are free and easy to use and include a new Introductory Video that walks you through the GTS process. Click to access the Online Modules.
Let’s take a look at this week’s weather. Looks like we have no rain predicted so we need to make sure to water the plants at least twice per week, making sure to water on Friday before the weekend.
Outside in the raised beds:
There are some tasks we are looking to get started outdoors this week if possible. Some action items for those who are using GTS:
Want to learn what Growing Teachers Throughout the Seasons (GTS) is? Check out the Guidebook HERE and the 20 Online Modules HERE! It is a great way for a teacher to learn how to engage their kiddos in agriculture in a data driven and teacher tested method based on the academic calendar.
This Week Outdoors
You can plant seeds outdoors any day this week. Make sure to water until germination plus on Friday before you leave.
While it is getting a little chilly this week overnight, we should be fine with our cold tolerant plants and not need to cover them. I do recommend you make sure you have your season extension garden cover ready to go as we will use it soon enough!
You may be getting a harvest now, Send me pics of your produce!!
Our September planting outdoors was radishes, peas, and cilantro. I still recommend you plant radishes and cilantro if you have not had a chance, peas probably will not have enough time to mature. Make sure to water them until they germinate and to thin them. Check out the GTS modules for a thinning video to help you with this. Or watch it right here:
For CCS teachers if you need soil, seeds, or fertilizer let Katie know.
If you did not cover your raised bed make sure to remove all the weeds in the bed before you start!
Do you need to get raised beds started and want to learn how to do that? I made a quick little video to walk you through the process.
Here is a quick and engaging video with information on best varieties to seed or plant directly.
Inside in the Aerogarden:
It is time to get some herbs started in the Aerogarden! Make sure you have seed pods and fertilizer. Any CCS teachers who need supplies should contact Katie.
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!
This is a weekly look at what is happening in the school garden to assist teacher educators engage their students in agriculture. It can be used by garden students of all ages however!
Have you been using the Growing Teachers Throughout the Seasons guidebook to assist you with your growing?
There is a ton of information in the guidebook but also in the 20 Online Modules including kid-friendly videos to assist you with your indoor and outdoor planning. The online modules are free and easy to use and include a new Introductory Video that walks you through the GTS process. Click to access the Online Modules.
Well, how about that rain! Your outdoor plantings in the raised beds got a much needed drink. Hopefully they are thriving. Send me some pictures!
Outside in the raised beds:
There are some tasks we are looking to get started outdoors this week if possible. Some action items for those who are using GTS:
Want to learn what Growing Teachers Throughout the Seasons (GTS) is? Check out the Guidebook HERE and the 20 Online Modules HERE! It is a great way for a teacher to learn how to engage their kiddos in agriculture in a data driven and teacher tested method based on the academic calendar.
This Week Outdoors
You can plant seeds outdoors any day this week. We had good rain on already planted seedlings, but if you still need to plant, make sure you water on Friday before you leave for the weekend.
Our September planting outdoors is radishes, peas, and cilantro. I still recommend you plant them if you have not had a chance, you can enjoy them next month. Make sure to water them until they germinate and to thin them. Check out the GTS modules for a thinning video to help you with this. Or watch it right here:
For CCS teachers if you need soil, seeds, or fertilizer let Katie know.
If you did not cover your raised bed make sure to remove all the weeds in the bed before you start!
Do you need to get raised beds started and want to learn how to do that? I made a quick little video to walk you through the process.
Here is a quick and engaging video with information on best varieties to seed or plant directly.
Inside in the Aerogarden:
It is time to get some herbs started in the Aerogarden! Make sure you have seed pods and fertilizer. Any CCS teachers who need supplies should contact Katie.
Make sure you have all of the pots, seed starting mix, lights, cord and timers needed for indoor planting. We can direct sow cilantro in 2″ pots for either growing and harvesting indoors or for transplanting outdoors. I have a video below that will help you with direct sowing seeds in pots.
Even though the video shows kale being planted, the technique is the same for cilantro.
Remove the humidity dome after germination.
Thin to one seedling per pot as shown in the video.
Are you getting ready to harvest? Here is a video for safe harvest and storage.
Let me know what questions you have! Make sure you engage your kiddos in the process. Looking forward to a wonderful Ag in the Classroom season!
Want to see what others are doing? Check out the Columbus City School gardens at ccs_growing_teachers on Insta!
This is a weekly look at what is happening in the school garden to assist teacher educators engage their students in agriculture. It can be used by garden students of all ages however!
Have you been using the Growing Teachers Throughout the Seasons guidebook to assist you with your growing?
There is a ton of information in the guidebook but also in the 20 Online Modules including kid-friendly videos to assist you with your indoor and outdoor planning. The online modules are free and easy to use and include a new Introductory Video that walks you through the GTS process. Click to access the Online Modules.
Most of the guidance from last weeks post is still applicable for this week so I kept it in place. Other than the weather. Let’s check out the forecast.
It is amazing to me the lack of rainfall that we have experienced in the past several months. What it means for you at school is that when you plant seeds outside, you need to water daily until germination at these high temperatures, and then will need to continue to water the seedlings until we get some rain, which according to the above predictions, may actually occur this week!!
Outside in the raised beds:
There are some tasks we are looking to get started outdoors this week if possible. Some action items for those who are using GTS:
Want to learn what Growing Teachers Throughout the Seasons (GTS) is? Check out the Guidebook HERE and the 20 Online Modules HERE! It is a great way for a teacher to learn how to engage their kiddos in agriculture in a data driven and teacher tested method based on the academic calendar.
This Week Outdoors
You can plant seeds outdoors any day this week. If it does not rain you will need to water the seed bed until germination and then every day or two until we get rainfall.
Our September planting outdoors is radishes, peas, and cilantro. I still recommend you plant them if you have not had a chance, you can enjoy them next month. Make sure to water them until they germinate and to thin them. Check out the GTS modules for a thinning video to help you with this.
For CCS teachers if you need soil, seeds, or fertilizer let Katie know.
If you did not cover your raised bed make sure to remove all the weeds in the bed before you start!
Do you need to get raised beds started and want to learn how to do that? I made a quick little video to walk you through the process.
Here is a quick and engaging video with information on best varieties to seed or plant directly.
Inside in the Aerogarden:
It is time to get some herbs started in the Aerogarden! Make sure you have seed pods and fertilizer. Any CCS teachers who need supplies should contact Katie.
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!
There is a fun evening of learning, shopping, and enjoying the company of friends this Thursday, September 19th, 2024 for Market to Garden. Come start at the Bronzeville Growers Market for fresh produce and other items starting at 3pm. I will be presenting in an open discussion format at 4pm at the Market on Fall Planting and what you can plant right NOW for a harvest this fall, over winter, and even in to 2025!
Bronzeville Growers Market @MPACC’s Box Park
occurs every Thursday
July 11 to September 26 3 – 6 pm
at 925 Mt. Vernon Avenue, corner of 17th.
Where we will continue our discussion of growing over winter and maximizing the harvest!
Hildreth Community Garden 1201 Hildreth Ave. Columbus, OH 43203 –> CLICK For Directions
The weather is supposed to be great that night. Both the events are free to attend so bring your friends, your walking shoes, and your questions this Thursday! (Plus a little spending money to purchase fresh goods from the Market!)
This is a weekly look at what is happening in the school garden to assist teacher educators engage their students in agriculture. It can be used by garden students of all ages however!
Have you been using the Growing Teachers Throughout the Seasons guidebook to assist you with your growing?
There is a ton of information in the guidebook but also in the 20 Online Modules including kid-friendly videos to assist you with your indoor and outdoor planning. The online modules are free and easy to use and include a new Introductory Video that walks you through the GTS process. Click to access the Online Modules.
Most of the guidance from last weeks post is still applicable for this week so I kept it in place. Other than the weather. Let’s check out the forecast.
It is amazing to me the lack of rainfall that we have experienced in the past several months. What it means for you at school is that when you plant seeds outside, you need to water daily until germination at these high temperatures, and then will need to continue to water the seedlings until we get some rain, which according to the above predictions, is not until October at the earliest!!
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.
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.
Save the black plastic! Fold it up and store it for use at the end of May next year.
Add some fertilizer according to the label on the package.
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.
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.
Make sure to thin your seedlings when they come up so that they end up about 3-4 inches apart.
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.
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.
Over the past several years a group of local stakeholders including Franklin Park Conservatory, OSU Extension, the Knowledge Exchange, the City of Columbus, and Franklin County have worked to create a map of the community gardens and urban farms in central Ohio. This will be used to assist new growers find space to grow, build capacity in urban agriculture, and identify spaces where new urban growing space is needed. A huge shout out to the Franklin Park Conservatory’s Growing to Green program for providing continued leadership for this initiative.
CLICK on the MAP below to go to the maps website at Franklin Park Conservatory where you can search for more information about the gardens and farms.
We are still looking to add new community gardens and urban farms. If your space has not been added, CLICK HERE to add your urban agricultural space to the map.
There has been some new guidance from the City of Columbus regarding community gardens:
For community gardens in the City of Columbus that need to dispose of food scraps, yard/garden waste, recyclables, and/or trash, we have a few options (in order of preference):
· Bring the waste home: if volunteers or garden members have the ability to bring their waste home, they can dispose of that in their current refuse container, recycling bin, or yard waste collection.
· Waste and Reuse Convenience Center: There are two centers, one at 2100 Alum Creek Drive and another at 1550 Georgesville Road (opening early October) that are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm. At these sites, trash, garden waste, food scraps, and recyclables can all be accepted. This is a free option with evening and weekend hours. These sites are also staffed by City employees that can help individuals that stop by.
· Collection at gardens: In the event that home trash and coming to one of the Convenience Centers is not an option, gardens can bag their trash and email keepcolumbusbeauitful@columbus.gov or call 614-645-2421 and request a trash pickup. They will need to note where the trash bags were left in the public right of way and how many bags. Refuse staff will attempt a collection within the next 72 hours. This is only for trash and not recycling or yard waste.
As we continue to evaluate what services may be needed, we will work with gardens and community partners to adapt this program to best suit both operational and community needs.
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.
Most of the guidance from last weeks post is still applicable for this week so I kept it in place. Other than the weather. Let’s check out the forecast.
A little different than last week. For this week, if you plant seeds outdoors in the raised beds, you should water them each day because of the heat and make sure to water on Friday if you can. Event though the rain is forecast for the weekend, it was that way last week as well and we did not get the rain that was predicted!
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.
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.
Save the black plastic! Fold it up and store it for use at the end of May next year.
Add some fertilizer according to the label on the package.
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.
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.
Make sure to thin your seedlings when they come up so that they end up about 3-4 inches apart.
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.
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.
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.
A great week to plant with rain coming over the weekend to assist germination.
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.
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.
Save the black plastic! Fold it up and store it for use at the end of May next year.
Add some fertilizer according to the label on the package.
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.
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.
Make sure to thin your seedlings when they come up so that they end up about 3-4 inches apart.
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.
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.
