How to create a K-12 Grow Calendar

Scheduling crop cycles helps to set a pace for your hydroponics programming through the school year. A crop cycle calendar can tell you when to plant seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest produce. This strategy enables you to schedule farm maintenance activities throughout the school year. 

This plan will help to bridge gaps and shine light on opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration within your district. For example, if you are growing produce for your Food Service department, you will be able to communicate to them when they should expect a harvest of fresh greens for the salad bar. 

Take a look at your school calendar. 

Count each multi-week stretch between each scheduled break.

• How many weeks between the first week of school and Fall Break?

• How many weeks between the end of Winter Break and Spring Break?

• How many weeks between the end of Spring Break and the start of Summer?

The stretches between these breaks will be an opportunity to schedule a crop. Here is a list of Fork Farms' recommended crops, and the time they need from seed to harvest:

• Lettuce - 4 weeks

• Arugula, Beet Greens - 3 weeks

• Bok choy, Kale, Tatsoi, Spring Raab, Collard Greens, Swiss Chard - 4 weeks*

• Herbs - 6-8 weeks*

• Edible Flowers - 10-12 weeks*

• Cherry tomatoes - 10-12 weeks*

• Mini Cucumbers - 8-10 weeks*

• Jalapenos - 12-14 weeks*

* = can stay in the Flex Farm/Flex Acre longer, up to 3 months

How can I prepare for long weekends?

In the stretches between long breaks, there may be extra days off and long weekends. These weekends can be easy to accommodate with the proper maintenance of your equipment. 

•  1-2 days before leaving for your 3-6 day break:

  • Complete your weekly maintenance routine.

    • In the right tank, fill to the "MAX" line on the water level tool.

    • Check and adjust your nutrients and pH (get the pH down below 6.0, closer to 5.5).

    • Remove any debris in your tanks, and manage long root systems. If the roots are floating in the tank, tie them up in a rubber band, or trim less than 1/3 of the length away to avoid blockages while you are gone. 

Can I run the Flex Farm/Flex Acre over long breaks?

To determine if you can continue growing over long breaks like winter break, or spring break, please consider the following:

• Does your school turn the power, air conditioning, or heat off during long breaks? Does the maintenance team know that the Flex Farm must stay plugged in?
  • Unfortunately, we have seen some equipment get unplugged, lose power, or endure a heat wave or cold shock over break, resulting in a loss of their crop. Please communicate with facilities to learn more about their building operations.
• The Flex Farm can sit unchecked for 10 days under the right conditions. If you want to continue growing through breaks longer than 10 days, are you able to visit the school to check on the Flex Farm/Flex Acre?
  • We have some suggestions and details laid out here: Growing over Long Breaks

Here is an example for a 1-month crop cycle: