Module Overview
In this module provides a detailed maintenance procedure for sustaining raised bed gardens while in use during the school year and a procedure for closing out raised beds for the summer.
Learning Goals
After this module, learners will be able to:
- Describe and apply the recommended maintenance procedure to take raised beds out of use at the end of the school year.
- Properly clean out beds, and clean and store tools and materials at the end of the school year so there is limited maintenance needed when the next school year begins.
- Explain why using the garden in the summer may make growing in the fall more difficult.
Roadmap
These items will all appear, in order, in the module.
- READ & WATCH: Closing Out Garden Spaces
- READ: Cleaning Your AeroGarden
Please click NEXT at the bottom of this page to advance through the module. To return to the list of modules, PC users click “Modules” in the top left corner, App users click the back arrow in the top left header.
Closing Out Garden Spaces
The Importance of Closing Out Garden Spaces
Isn’t summer the best time to grow a garden? Typically it is, if you are going to have a lot of access to the garden space. However, for teachers who are engaging students in learning about growing food throughout the traditional September through May academic year, it makes sense to NOT use the garden during the summer. Here are some of the benefits of NOT growing in your school garden over the summer:
- Covering outdoor raised beds will prevent weed seeds from germinating and will minimize nutrient loss from the soil during the summer. None of your time will be required until the school year begins!
- Cleaning out your Aerogarden unit after your students harvest the tomatoes will prevent the overgrowth of roots, which could make it very difficult to clean. Plus, you can involve students in the cleaning process! By cleaning the unit thoroughly in the spring, it will be ready to grow healthy herbs in the fall.
Closing Out Outdoor Raised Beds
Watch the following video and read through this page to learn best practices for closing out your raised bed at the end of the school year.
(1 minute, 25 seconds)
Video Transcript: Maintaining and Closing out Raised Beds
After you have harvested all the remaining produce from the outdoor raised bed, remove any weeds present. Next, cover your beds with black plastic and use landscape pins to pin down the ends, middle, and sides of the plastic. Add some pavers or large rocks on top of the plastic to keep the wind from pulling the landscape pins out.
Clean and fold up your fabric row covers and clips and store them for the following year. These items do not need to be replaced each year. If there is an issue with vandalism at your site, take the white hoops off of your bed and store them in your classroom as well.
In August, all you will need to do is roll back the plastic, mix up your soil, and you are ready to plant!
Row Cover Cleaning
Row covers can be washed by hand in a sink or large tub of hot, soapy water and then rinsed a few times in clear water. Although hand washing is recommended, you can wash it in a washing machine on the gentle or delicate cycle. It’s best to dry it in the sun as it will also help disinfect it and brighten it.
Indoor Growing Stations
Cleaning Your AeroGarden
See resource from AeroGarden on the next page.
Cleaning LED Lights and Seed Starting Trays
Clean trays and potting cups with soap and water. They are also top shelf dishwasher safe. Remove the sides of the LED light and place back into the box with the light panel. Store all of the potting cups, the timer, plug, and extension cord, trays and lights in a box or storage tote and label them well. If you have any extra potting mix, fertilizer, or seeds, store them with the other supplies.
Please click NEXT at the bottom of this page to advance through the module. To return to the list of modules, PC users click “Modules” in the top left corner, App users click the back arrow in the top left header.
