48: Avoid Transplant Shock – How to Harden Off School Garden Seedlings

In this episode of the School Gardens with Ease podcast, Leila Mireskandari dives into the crucial steps of transplanting seedlings into your school garden. Whether you've been growing seedlings with your students in the classroom, selling them, or have purchased new ones, it's essential to prepare them for the outside world to minimize transplant shock.

Leila breaks down the process of "hardening off," explaining how to gradually introduce seedlings to outdoor conditions over several days, ensuring they can handle the elements. She also shares her tried-and-true step-by-step method for transplanting seedlings, including practical tips on digging the right-sized hole, handling seedlings without damaging their roots, and creating a donut ditch for optimal watering.

This episode is packed with actionable tips for teachers to engage their students in hands-on gardening activities, fostering responsibility, teamwork, and a deeper connection to nature. Leila emphasizes how each step can be a valuable learning experience, from timing and scheduling to group work and watering routines.

If you want to empower your students to transplant seedlings successfully and build their gardening skills, tune in to this episode. For more practical gardening guidance, check out Leila’s Oasis program series and other resources available at KidsGrowingCity.ca.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about transplanting seedlings, reducing transplant shock, and getting your school garden thriving.