Summary: Today’s lesson, Researching Vegetables to Grow, is a great way to get students excited about the next upcoming gardening season. It’s also a good opportunity for those students who are learning from home to stay connected to their schoolyard garden and if you as a teacher are trying to decide what to order for […]
Layers of Soil
Summary: In honor of Earth Day yesterday, we’d like to take a look at a part of Earth that is invaluable to the garden – Soil! Today’s lesson, Layer’s of Soil, encourages students to examine a sample of soil to assess its makeup. It is easily adaptable for teachers and students who are currently participating […]
Root View in a Plastic Cup
Summary: Today’s lesson, “Root View in a Plastic Cup” is a great distance learning garden alternative for any student or teacher who miss being in their schoolyard garden. Materials are minimal and with the exception of seeds, are most likely all items that students already have at home. This is a fun experiment that allows […]
The Garden Food Chain
Summary: This week’s lesson,”The Garden Food Chain” teaches the importance of each living organism and non-living feature in an ecosystem. Using your schoolyard garden as a setting, discuss the roles of decomposers, producers, and consumers. Encourage students to explore their garden or reflect on a time spent in their garden and ask them to identify […]
Which Parts of a Vegetable Plant do we Eat?
Our schools have been on our minds a lot lately as everyone works to adapt and cope with the impact of COVID-19. We can only begin to imagine the tremendous impact that this pandemic is causing you as educators, parents, and community leaders and we are grateful for all you are doing right now. As […]
Potato Power!
Vegetable: Spring Potatoes SYG Varieties: Red Norland, Kennebec, Yukon Gold, Blue Planting Instructions: Cut sprouted potatoes into ping pong sized pieces. Make sure each piece you’ve cut has a sprout or eye on it. Dig holes 9-12 inches apart and 5-6 inches deep. Place 1 piece of potato in each hole with the sprout facing […]
Kale Yeah
Vegetable: Kale SYG Varieties: Redbor, Winterbor Planting Instructions: Leave 10-12 inches between each plant 4×12 beds (K-12) fit 24 plants in a full bed (3 across & 8 down) 3×9 beds (preschool) fit 10 plants in a full bed (2 across & 5 down) Plant to Harvest Time Frame: 7 weeks Plant: mid-March to early […]
Garden Thank You Letters
When we think of January in Kansas and Missouri, ‘gardening’ is generally not the first word that comes to mind. Cold temperatures are a time for our gardens to rest and our soil, with all the wonderful little microbes living within, to rejuvenate. This rest period is crucial and truly something to be thankful for […]
Recipes that Use Thanksgiving Leftovers
Food, family, friends, and more food. Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday! Once the main feast is over though, I inevitably have, So. Many. Leftovers. If this scenario sounds familiar, check out these wonderful Thanksgiving leftover recipes to keep the feast going! Spice up that side dish with Leftover Sweet Potato Hummus Swap out […]
Don’t Forget To Plant Your Garlic!
The weather has started to turn cold, you’re having cozy thoughts of being indoors with a hot cup of tea/coffee/cider, and your schoolyard garden is hopefully cleared out and ready to rest for winter. But wait! There is one more delicious and nutritious vegetable to plant in your schoolyard garden – Garlic! Follow these easy […]