As we head into summer break, we would like to THANK YOU for partnering with the UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program (FNP) this school year. It has been a pleasure working with you and your students, and we wish you a wonderful summer! | | |
Smart Summer Garden Strategies
Whether you're planning to take a summer break from gardening or intend to plant and harvest throughout the season, we have some essential tips to help you prepare your garden beds before school is out.
Putting Your Garden to Bed - Enjoy Taking a Break!
During the break, schools often close, and garden beds go unattended. The hot, rainy months can be challenging, especially without summer-suited crops.
Putting your garden to bed for the season is a great way to avoid weeds, pests, and disease while you are away and ensure a clean slate for fall planting. For tips, check out the video here or click the image below.
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Planting Cover Crops Before Summer
Cover cropping with plants like sweet potatoes, buckwheat, or legumes is another option for keeping your garden healthy during the summer. Cover crops can help enrich your soil and suppress weeds. Interested in learning more about cover crops? Check out UF/IFAS Extension's Cover Crop link here.
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Keeping it Growing - Enjoy Summer's Edible Crops
Planning to keep your garden growing through the summer heat? Check out the planting calendars for May, June, July, and August to stay on track with what to plant in the coming months. With the right timing and care, you can enjoy fresh produce and beautiful blooms all season!
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Summer Food,
Summer Moves
Keep kids active and eating healthy all summer long! Summer Food, Summer Moves is a fun, flexible curriculum designed to get students moving while learning about making healthy food choices. With simple games, nutrition tips, and hands-on activities, it’s a great fit for summer camps, after-school programs, or classroom brain breaks. This curriculum makes it easy to sneak in healthy habits while keeping the energy up all summer!
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Contact FNP in your area
to learn about our FREE opportunities for scheduling nutrition education lessons in your school or summer camp. Click on Partner with Us.
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| What to do with herbs from your garden? | | | |
Before the hot, rainy summer arrives, it’s the perfect time to harvest and enjoy fresh herbs from the garden. Add flavor by sprinkling herbs on pizza, pasta, eggs, tacos, salads, or blending them into pesto, guacamole, or dips. Try steeping herbs in tea or infusing them into water, lemonade, or juice.
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Have rosemary, mint, or lemongrass?
Check out these simple recipe ideas for delicious, refreshing herbal beverages and snacks to enjoy this season!
Watermelon Agua Fresca
Flavored Waters
Garden Herbal Tea
| | Jane Lauzon, third-grade teacher at Cypress Springs Elementary | | Cypress Springs Elementary continues to shine with their vibrant school garden! Led by dedicated third-grade teacher Jane Lauzon, students grew and harvested sweet potatoes—then whipped up sweet potato pancakes during their garden club meeting. Mrs. Lauzon’s commitment highlights how sweet potatoes can keep summer beds productive, suppress weeds, and spark student excitement. Consider adding this hearty crop to your own school garden this summer! | | | |
Summer is a great time to reflect on your garden activities over the past year and use this reflection to think ahead for the upcoming school year.
Click on the image for some helpful reflection prompts from the Florida School Garden Planner, or on the button to see the whole planner.
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Are there different types of mangos?
There are over 1,000 different types of mangos. They have names like Nam Doc Mai, Fruit Punch, and Coconut Cream. There are many different shapes and sizes, and each one is different from the next. We grow mangos locally in South Florida, so be sure to try some this summer!
Click here to learn more about growing mangos in your home landscape.
You can check out the full tropical fruit Tuesday series to learn about mangos and more here.
| | Photo, cover photo, and text provided by Jeff Wasielewski, Commercial Tropical Fruit Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County | | |
For tips on seasonal garden activities, connecting your garden to the classroom, engaging your school community, and spotlights showcasing your beautiful gardens around the state
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| This material was funded by the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. SNAP funding is provided through the Florida Department of Children and Families. | | | | |
