Gardening Zones in Iowa from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

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Planting Calendar, from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

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Iowa FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CALENDAR

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SCHOOL GARDEN PLANTING GUIDE

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U.S. Department of Health and Human SErVICES | GET MOVIN’

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KIDS GARDEN | SEED SAVING CHART

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"Simple Nature Experiments with Everyday Materials" by Anthony D. Fredericks.

Aspiring scientists will discover the intricacies of simple ecosystems, learn how to create a desert, watch plant growth and development, feel the impact a simple act can have on the environment, and more..

Find a copy at your local bookstore.

Nature Play Workshop for Families: A Guide to 40+ Outdoor Learning Experiences in All Seasons

With this fun and practical guide to outdoor play, be inspired to unplug and spark a nature connection vital for children's healthy growth and development.

Find a copy at your local bookstore.

"How to Grow a School Garden" by Arden Bucklin-Sporer and Rachel Kathleen Pringle.

In this resource, two school garden pioneers offer parents, teachers, and school administrators everything they need to know to build school gardens and to develop the programs that support them.

Find a copy at your local bookstore.

Growing Together: A Guide for Building Inspired, Diverse and Productive Youth Communities

Growing Together is a guide for building inspired, diverse and productive youth communities. This resource book is designed for all ages, in almost any field and shares The Food Project's three-part model which encourages all members of a community to grow together through meaningful work, shared standards and interactive learning.

Find a copy at your local bookstore.

HOW TO SET UP YOUR GROW LIGHTS:

How To Set Up LED Grow Lights (Activity 1)

1. Use your grow lights and light stand to 17inch grow light perfect for 1 tray 10”x20” of seedlings. 

   1. Use String and cord locks to suspend your LED Grow light on the light stand above your seedling tray.

   2. Release cord lock and feed a single cord through the hole at the top of the metal light stand.

   3. Once the cord is fed through the light stand, reattach the cord lock over both pieces of cord.

   4. Repeat on the other side.

   5. Light should be suspended on light stand.

   6. Grow light should be set 6” above the tray. 

   7. Plants require 16 hrs of light in a 24 hr period. Use the light stand to suspend your grow light above your seedlings tray.

       

   HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR SEEDLINGS

1. Caring for your seedlings: (Lesson 1) 

   1. Temperature

      1. Seeds like to be warm  in order to germinate.  Find a warm spot to put your trays once seeds have been sown, like the top of the refrigerator.  Check trays daily for signs of germination. Soon you’ll see little green or white sprout popping out of the potting soil. 

   2. Light

      1. Only a few seeds need light to germinate but all seeds require light to continue growing. Once the first stem and leaves have pushed through the soil remove plastic wrap or plastic dome. A sunny windowsill is sometimes efficient but use the LED grow light provided in your kit. 

1. Water

   1. Do not overwater young seedlings. Use a gentle mist to water the seedlings or water the plants from the bottom of the tray by filling the sink or plastic tub with an inch of water and place your seed tray in the water so that the bottom of the tray is sitting in the water. Water will slowly move up the soil. When you notice the soil surface has darkened, remove your tray from the water.

2. Humidity

   1. Warmth and humidity promote germination!

      1. Use plastic domes, plastic wrap or a reusable plastic bag to cover your trays. Once you see the first sign of green popping up, remove the plastic to promote good air circulation. 

3. Ventilation

   1. Good air flow prevents disease. As plants get bigger set up a small fan to promote good air flow, while making your plants stems stronger. 

4. Thinning

   1. If two seedlings ended up in the same cell remove one of them once they produce their first sets of true leaves. If you are careful you can gently separate them from one another and re pot the one you removed. Or snip off  the extra seedling with scissors.  If you leave both plants they will compete for space, nutrients, and water.