Last week students, throughout the metro returned to schools. Many of our schoolyard gardens are welcoming new and returning students to their growing spaces. Some schoolyard gardens have grown produce throughout the summer, and as students return to school they are being met with fresh tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.

Other schoolyard gardens took a rest over the summer months and the beds were covered to stay weed-free. Those students have blank canvases that will be filled with a variety of cool-season crops!

Because the school calendar does not exactly align with the fall planting calendar, we adapt our growing practices to ensure success. We will plant broccoli, cabbage, kale and collard transplants that were grown specifically for schools, and that are larger and more mature than standard transplants. We will also use season extension row cover to ensure that vegetables can grow to their full maturity before a hard frost.

In the coming weeks, we will plant with thousands of metro students. While many gardeners are beginning to wind down for the season, it’s a new year for schools, full of many new and exciting possibilities and learning adventures. We’re excited to grow with our schools!