On April 10th, we had a beautiful day in the garden and outdoor classroom with Kindergarten, 4th and 5th grades. We are excited to do it again with 1st, 2nd and 3rd on Friday, April 24th!
During these 2 days of classes, we focus on planting seeds to take home, to encourage on growing foods to the home front! So that the kids get as much time to participate hands-on, we split the grade into 2 groups. In station #1 this week, our amazing volunteers facilitated planting a seeds in a pot and learning how to care for that plant. We were able to send home some instructions for parents to help you care for these little plant babies.
Send us photos of you and your plant growing! We would love to share your growth!
Instructions: How to Grow Food
In Garden Club, we focus on growing food, and part of our mission is to help our families grow at home! So, your kids are brought take-home plants to your family after school Friday.
We are here to support our families to grow! We have put together a PDF with steps to help grow most plants from seed. CLICK to Download Printable Color Page and How to Grow Steps!
PHOTOS from Our Recent Learn @ Lunch (5th, 4th & Kindergarten)
Planting in the Garden at TFES
Station #2, as always was hands-on garden time. Led by Tracy Nyszczot, we planted a ton of cold weather seeds (leafy greens, root veggies and snow peas), and we harvested/ate the end of summer crops. Kids also love playing with the new sandbox and sensory tables, while they await their turn!
More Info for Caring For your Plants
- LONG-STORY SHORT, we chose plants that can go outside now and are frost-tolerant.
- Cool-weather plants, can grow right outside in a pot or the ground (these are root vegetables, leafy greens, snowpeas and the wild pollinator flowers we chose). When temperatures in the summer sore, these plants will start to bolt and seed>>time to make room for the summer crops!
- See the PDF for transplanting instructions.
- Or choose to keep your plants indoors — just be sure to put a plate under the pot we gave you, so it doesn’t leak.
For Specific Plants:
Here is some information regarding the care of those specific plants:
For Peas or Climbing Plants: They will require a trellis, like bamboo sticks, to act like a ladder for the climbing vine plants.
For Leafy Greens : Kale, spinach and lettuces are the gift that keeps on giving…if you harvest correctly. For harvesting “Cut-and-come again” plants, be sure to cut leaves from the outside and always leave at least 3 leaves in the middle—the plant will continue to grow and produce salad after salad!
For Carrots: Wait until the visible leaves are about 7-10inches. If you pull out and it’s not ready, replant and keep growing. And yes carrot greens are edible, but be sure to leave some so that the plant can continue to grow.
Thank you to our Learn @ Lunch Volunteers
Lisa Controvich
Joyce Fereshetian
Erin Gibson
Jill Linberg
Theresa McNally
Jessica Neff
Tiffany Pearson
Melissa Segall
Lauren Suitor
Kathleen Vermilion
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TFES GARDEN CLUB 