Tower Garden

We purchased six Tower Gardens (one per grade level) for our elementary school.  The gardens were placed in one classroom at each grade level and the first planting was mid-January.  Each Tower holds 28 plants so each student planted their own seed (s).  The additional spots were for the teacher to plant what they wanted.  

The students maintained the Towers checking water level daily and adding when needed along with the plant nutrients.  They checked the pH level.  Many classes took daily pictures of their individual plants, they journaled, recorded growth, etc.  The kids couldn't wait, each morning, to check out their plant.  

Our first harvest was in early March and we had salad parties in the classrooms.  Each child pulled off 4-5 leaves of lettuce (we had several varieties), kale, arugula, etc.  We mixed all of it together and the teachers brought in additional salad toppings.  The remainder of the plant was bagged and sent home for the student to share with their family. Then the Towers were  moved to the next classroom and the process started all over.  

We planted strawberry seeds in one (after the final harvest).  We will be bringing two Towers to the local city celebration in mid-June so the public can see what the students have been doing.  Students have signed up to be at the booth to share what they've learned.

The teachers and students are excited to bring this to life again next year.  We only made it through two sections at each grade level this year, but will be starting up again in the fall with the teachers who didn't get it this year.  Every class will have the opportunity to experience a garden next year.