FRESH from the Garden - the PHHI School Garden Network

FRESH from the Garden

A message from Amy & Doug

We are just days away from planting our spring gardens. We love the enthusiasm we have seen during school visits. We know this will be a great learning opportunity for students and teachers alike. Don’t hesitate to give us a call should unexpected challenges arise or if you would like help planting and teaching in the garden.

A big shout out to Mrs. Stanley and her fourth grade class at W.M. Irvin Elementary for using the garden to teach measurement and fractions.

Looking for resources? Visit the PHHI STEM website.

In the Garden Now

Plant

Start indoors:

Lettuce, Swiss chard, basil, dill

Transplant outdoors:

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi,

lettuce, spinach

Direct seed outdoors:

Arugula, carrots, cilantro, lettuce,

peas, radishes, spinach, turnips

Harvest

Nothing in the garden is

ready to harvest at this time, but get ready!

Maintenance

Clean beds, apply organic fertilizer, and install season extenders. Check hoses and nozzles.

Lesson Planning

Life Cycles in the Garden

Let your students explore how plants and insects found in the garden change over time.

Download Lesson Plan

Book Review

Oh Say Can You Seed

by Bonnie Worth

The Cat in the Hat along with Thing 1 and Thing 2 introduce students to the wonderful world of plants. From the way we use plants for food, clothing, and medicine, to the function and parts of a plant, including pollination and photosynthesis, students will be introduced to difficult concepts through creative illustrations and classic rhymes.

Appropriate for grades K - 3.

Using this book in the classroom

Growing Healthy Bodies

Green Eggs & Ham

Are you making plans to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2? Include this recipe in the day’s activities: add greens from the garden to your party and bring Green Eggs and Ham to life.

Get the Recipe

Q&A

Q: Is it too late to start seeds indoors?

A: It's too late for the earliest crops; however, there are many crops that can still be started indoors, and many that can be sown directly into the garden.

If you want to grow a plant that isn't listed on our planting list above, check with us and we'll let you know if it might be a good fit for the school garden and when to plant it.

Q: How often do I need to water my seeds?

A: Seeds need to be kept moist throughout the germination period. Once the seed begins to germinate it is critical that the soil stays moist. The humidity dome is great for this.

Transplants should be watered in the morning if possible, and will need more frequent watering on sunny days. Checking the soil is the best way to determine when to water.

Q: If there is snow in the forecast,

is it still ok to plant seeds in

the garden?

A: Yes! Snow will actually act as an insulator.

Q: Is it ok to leave agribon on during the day?

A: Yes, though it is best to remove the agribon on sunny days when the temperature is above 35℉.

Approximately 85% of light will penetrate the agribon.

Q: At what temperature should I put agribon over my beds?

A: Agribon should be used any night the temperature goes below 35℉.

If the temperature goes below 20℉,

a second layer is recommended.

Questions? Contact us!

Amy Bowman • [email protected]

Doug Vernon • [email protected]

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