School Gardens with Ease
Discover how to effortlessly integrate school gardens into your elementary or middle school curriculum with the School Gardens with Ease Podcast. This podcast is your go-to resource for creating flourishing and productive food gardens that provide long-term educational benefits. Learn tips, strategies, and insights to help you grow and maintain a sustainable school garden that enhances your teaching and inspires students for years to come.
Episodes
37 episodes
A Smart Approach to Funding Your School Garden
Let's delves into the common misconception that funding and approvals are the primary obstacles to creating a successful school garden. How about some insights on how to make the most of available resources and an emphasis on the importance of ...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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8:25
35: Example Lesson Plan: The 7 Layers of a School Garden Lesson Plan
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain to give you a sneak peek into one of the gardening lesson plans from my OASIS programs. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to seamlessly integrate gardening into your curriculum while engaging yo...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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19:12
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34: Let’s Write Those Gardening Lesson Plans (Part 2)
Welcome back to School Gardens with Ease! In this episode, we’re diving into part 2 of writing effective lesson plans for your school garden project. If you haven’t listened to Episode 33 yet, make sure to go back and do that fi...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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7:50
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33: From Garden to Curriculum, Not The Other Way Around!
Today, on the School Gardens with Ease podcast, we’re talking about a crucial part of creating successful school gardens: lesson planning.If you’re new here, one key thing to know is that school gardens should be grown by students, le...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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18:23
32: Teacher Pulling Back the Curtain to Oasis Programs (Part 2)
Welcome back to Part 2 of my conversation with Shant, a passionate teacher who has made classroom and school gardening a cornerstone of his teaching practice. In this episode, we dive deeper into Shant’s experience:Transitioning fro...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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26:25
31: Teacher Pulling Back the Curtain to Oasis Programs (Part 1)
In this special two-part series, I sit down with Shant, an inspiring grade eight teacher who transformed his classroom with the Oasis Classroom program. Shant Sourian shares his journey from being, a hesitant new teacher, to becoming a passiona...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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26:24
30: It’s Time to Dream a 2025 School Garden
Welcome to the Final Episode of 2024!In this reflective and inspiring episode, Leila Mireskandari wraps up the year by encouraging you to look back on your school garden journey (or none thereof) in 2024 and dream big for 2025. It’s ...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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12:21
29: How to Create a Thriving Educational School Garden
Thriving School Gardens don't happen by accident! In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, I’m guiding you through the steps to create an impactful, sustainable, and educational garden at your school. Whether you’re a teacher o...
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Episode 29
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15:28
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28: Growing School Gardens with Ease – The Shortcut to Success
Looking for a shortcut to an easy school garden?Welcome to Episode 28 of School Gardens with Ease! In this special episode, your host Leila Mireskandari shifts gears to share what’s been on her mind lately—her annual free 70-min...
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Episode 28
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16:22
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27: Why Winter Season Matters for School Gardens!
Don't grow whatever whenever!Seasons matter!In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, Leila Mireskandari dives into a crucial aspect of gardening success: timing and seasonal planning. Whether you’re a teacher eager t...
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Episode 27
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11:33
26: Outdoor Education, School Gardens, and Finding Common Ground with Author Lauren MacLean
Let's welcome Lauren MacLean, a passionate children's author, educator, and outdoor learning consultant. Lauren’s books, including Me and My Sit Spot and Finding Common Ground, inspire young readers to connect with nature, and...
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33:15
Hugelkultur Magic: The Garden Hack Every Teacher Needs to Know
Build a Resilient School Garden with Hugelkultur!In this episode, Leila shares an innovative and regenerative gardening technique that can make your school garden more resilient, water-conserving, and low-maintenance — hugelkultur!...
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20:44
24: Debunking the “Expensive” School Garden Myth
Let's tackles the "Expensive" myth surrounding school gardens: Drawing from over a decade of experience growing school gardens, Leila Mireskandari, reveals why the idea that school gardens are costly is often rooted in misconceptions, ...
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10:43
23: Parent to Partner: Building Sustainable School Gardens
In this episode of the School Gardens with Ease Podcast, host Leila Mireskandari shifts focus to address parents who are eager to bring a garden to their child's school. While primarily aimed at parents, the episode offers valuable ins...
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11:47
22: Four-in-One, A School Garden That Does It All!
Welcome to School Gardens with Ease! I'm your host, Leila Mireskandari, and in this episode, I explore how food gardens can serve multiple purposes—beyond just growing food.Last week, I spoke with Victoria Hackett from Outdoor C...
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10:15
21: Empowering Educators to Reconnect with Nature Through Outdoor Classrooms with Victoria Hackett, M.Ed.
In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, host Leila Mireskandari welcomes her first-ever guest, Victoria Hackett, M.Ed., an award-winning nature-based educator and advocate. Victoria shares her journey from being a parent envisioni...
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27:49
20: The Biggest Mistake in Gardening Lesson Plans—And How to Fix It!
In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, host Leila Mireskandari reveals the biggest mistake teachers make when writing or finding gardening lesson plans. Spoiler alert: it's all about how you approach them!Leila explains th...
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15:33
19: The Biggest Mistake Teachers Make When Starting a School Garden
In this episode, Leila dives into the single biggest mistake teachers make when starting a school garden. Drawing from over a decade of experience working with hundreds of teachers, Leila reveals why trying to grow a garden outside of class tim...
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12:23
18: 5 School Garden Myths That Are Holding You Back
In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, Leila Mireskandari takes a step back from technical tips to bust the biggest myths about growing a school garden. If you've been overwhelmed by the idea of starting a garden at your school, ...
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12:27
17: Skip the Confusion: Plant Seeds Like a Pro in Your School Garden
In today’s episode, we're breaking down one of the most confusing aspects of gardening for many teachers: planting seeds. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the timing, spacing, or whether to plant seeds indoors or outdoors, this episode...
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14:11
16: Fall & Winter Classroom Gardening Ideas – Easy, Fun Activities for Students
In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, Leila shares creative and engaging gardening activities perfect for fall and winter. Even without an outdoor garden, you can bring greenery and food-growing projects into your classroom ...
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15:19
15: Unlock Cost-Saving Design Secrets for Your School Garden Pitch: Permaculture Techniques and Budgeting Tips Every Teacher Needs to Know
In this final installment of our series on pitching your annual vegetable school garden, we're diving deep into two essential topics that will take your garden proposal to the next level: cost-effective garden design and budgeting strategies.
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19:37
14: Mastering the "When" and "Where" of Your School Garden Proposal: Practical Steps for a Seamless Integration
In Episode 14 of the School Gardens with Ease podcast, Leila Mireskandari continues her deep dive into crafting a winning proposal for your school’s annual vegetable garden project. This episode is a must-listen for teachers ready to t...
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14:06
13: Crafting the Ultimate School Garden Lesson Plans: Ensuring Educational Impact and Budget Success
In Episode 13 of the School Gardens with Ease podcast, host Leila Mireskandari continues her insightful series on how to pitch and plan your annual vegetable school garden project. This episode focuses on one of the most crucial aspect...
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12:57
12: The Detailed Plan & What to Grow in a School Garden
In Episode 12 of the School Gardens with Ease podcast, your host Leila Mireskandari continues the essential discussion on creating a compelling proposal for your annual vegetable school garden project. This episode is part 2 of the ser...
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15:02