Summer school programs throughout Kansas City began last week, and many of these students have been tasked with maintaining their vegetable gardens during these hot months.

Many of the 200 plus schoolyard gardens that we work with planted vegetables like peppers, tomatoes and sweet potatoes in May, which are perfect for schools that aren’t in session this summer. These vegetables require little maintenance over the summer, and when students return in the fall, they are welcomed with fresh garden veggies!

For schools that are in session in the summer, however, they have more options for vegetable varieties: squash, cucumber, green beans, zucchini and more. These veggies require more regular watering and harvesting, so we reserve these varieties for schools that have summer programming, like Garfield Elementary in Kansas City, Mo. Second and 3rd graders at this KCPS school are taking care of the four raised beds at Garfield over the summer in our weekly Grow in the Garden program.

Trying to stay on top of your summer garden? Weed and Water Regularly!

Summer is the lushest time of the year for vegetable gardens, with everything growing at a fast rate! But the vegetables are not the only thing growing quickly this summer. Weeds are a serious concern for summer gardeners especially, and summer school students will work diligently this month and next to stay on top of their garden weeds.

In addition to weeding the garden, we also encourage students to water their garden regularly during these hot, sunny days. Cucumbers, green beans and squash seeds need to be watered every day in order to germinate and be successful!

Weeding and watering are necessary tasks for students to do as often as possible, so that weeds do not take over the vegetable garden, and so that the vegetable plants stay nice and hydrated over the summer!