Bringing the University of Idaho to your life Garden Basics Tips for planning a successful school garden Prepared by Ariel Agenbroad Horticulture Educator University of Idaho Extension, Canyon County

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life Why Grow a School Garden? It’s a lot of fun! Gardens provide a place for hands-on learning in many curricular areas School gardens can have a positive impact on students’ food choices

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life What to consider before you grow: Garden location Style of garden Soil Plants or seeds Water Care & maintenance

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life Evaluating a garden location Avoid low and windy areas Flowering and fruiting vegetables require at least 8-10 hours of full sun every day South and west sides are best, north and east sides can be shady; watch for shadows Some lettuces, greens and herbs can grow well with only with 5-6 hours of sunlight

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life Is the location convenient? Is it close to a water supply? Will the garden be safe for the kids and adults working in it? Will the garden be safe from animals or possible vandals? Further considerations

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life Soil is made up of mineral particles –Can be sand, silt & clay, or a combination Good soil should be: –well-draining –rich in organic matter –teeming with life (earthworms and microorganisms) Good soil can be created What’s the dirt on soil?

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life “Don’t Guess, Soil Test!” A Basic Soil Test will analyze your soil and provide recommendations for appropriate fertilization If you suspect any heavy metals or contaminants, consider testing Contact an Extension office for instructions

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life Most vegetables need between 1-2 inches of water per week (typically about 1-2 hours of watering) Can use a buckets or cans, hoses, sprinklers, soaker or drip systems Locate your garden close to a water source if possible Waterworks

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life Creative garden solutions If your chosen spot ends up being not so “chosen”… Put edibles into landscape plantings Build raised gardens Find a garden spot on land near the school or even at another school

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life Garden Styles Rows, Hills, Beds or Boxes Do what works for you and your site

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life

Intensive gardening Maximum yield from minimum space Closer spacing than traditional rows Eliminate unnecessary paths Grow vertical when possible

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life

Container gardening Great solution for difficult sites Must give plants room to grow Use light colored containers Use a fertile potting mix Use varieties suited for containers Water, water, water

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life

In many parts of Idaho, we have a short growing season Don’t let that stop you! Make the most of it through “season extension” techniques Start early, harvest later! Winter gardening?

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life

Cool Weather Crops Peas Potatoes Lettuce Cabbage Broccoli Swiss Chard Kale Onions Leeks Carrots Beets What grows here, and when? Warm Weather Crops Peppers Tomatoes Squash Green Beans Eggplants Edible Flowers Pumpkins& Melons Tomatillos Corn Cucumbers March May- June May June

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life Tree Fruits –Apple, pear, plum, peach, nectarine, pluot Berries –Raspberries, blackberries, strawberries Perennial fruits and vegetables: –Grapes, Rhubarb, Asparagus Don’t forget about:

When should we plant? Last Frost in spring First Frost: in fall

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life 30 days after planting –Radishes, lettuces 60 days after planting –Beets, green onions 80 days after planting –Carrots, cabbages, summer squash, corn 100+ days after planting –Tomatoes, melons When can we eat?

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life Seeds are cheaper, but more work… –Buy from Catalogs, Garden Centers, Discount Stores, Online, or ask for donations Start inside (with lights) or outside in greenhouse Seedlings give you a head start –Buy from Farmers’ Market, Garden Centers, Mail Order, get them donated Choosing seeds or plants

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life Ask for donations! Buy from thrift Stores and yard sales Hardware stores and garden centers Get the basics: –Shovels, rakes, hoes, hand trowels, hoses, sprinklers or nozzles, harvest buckets Getting tools and supplies

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life Start with a healthy, diverse environment for plants and insects Provide habitat for beneficial insects Keep it clean…pick up after yourself! Ask your Extension office or local Garden Center employee for advice To avoid pest problems:

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life Weeding Weeds compete with garden plants –Nutrients, water, sunlight Best control is prevention Pull them out when small Prevent seeds from forming If all else fails, eat ‘em!

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life Feeding your plants Refer to your soil test results Add compost every year Use slow release fertilizers Use caution with all fertilizer –Fully compost all manures –Read all labels and follow all directions on synthetics and organics

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life Compost Happens! –Mix 2 parts “brown” waste Leaves, straw, dried and crunchy plants –To 1 part “green” Grass clippings, vegetable peelings –Don’t add meat, fats or pet animal waste –Add water, and stir…use in and on the garden! Making your own fertilizer

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life

Maintenance in the garden Cleanliness = Prevention –Remove diseased or injured plants –Remove rotten or fallen fruit –Stake falling plants –Rotate plant families yearly –Care for tools and equipment properly

Bringing the University of Idaho to your life To find a University of Idaho Extension office in your county, or to access free online resources, visit See examples of other successful school gardens in Idaho at: arden/docs/Garden%20Booklet.pdf arden/docs/Garden%20Booklet.pdf How do I get more information?