Explore every episode of the podcast School Gardens with Ease
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 73: What Can Parents Do to Help Build a School Garden? | 22 Feb 2026 | 00:12:43 | |
Many school gardens are started with the best of intentions by dedicated, caring parents. Yet again and again, these gardens struggle or fail within a short time. Why does this happen, and what should parents actually do if they want to support a thriving school garden? In this episode, Leila Mireskandari draws on over a decade of experience working with schools to explain a hard but essential truth: school gardens are educational programs, not parent run projects. Because of this, they must be led by teachers and integrated into classroom learning, not created or managed by well meaning volunteers. Leila shares why even highly skilled gardeners or enthusiastic parent groups cannot substitute for teacher leadership in a school garden. Growing food at school is fundamentally different from home or community gardening. It requires alignment with curriculum, classroom schedules, and the realities of teaching time, expertise that teachers have and outside volunteers typically do not. You will also learn why building a garden for teachers rarely leads to success, and why the most effective school gardens actually begin indoors, in classrooms, with students growing seedlings and learning hands on before any outdoor beds are created. So what can parents do? The answer may surprise you. Instead of leading or building gardens themselves, parents play a powerful supporting role, helping teachers access training, resources, and ongoing support so they can confidently lead garden based learning with their students. If you are a parent, or a teacher working with parent volunteers, this episode clarifies roles, avoids common pitfalls, and lays out the proven pathway to a sustainable, curriculum connected school garden that lasts for years. In this episode, you will learn:
Resources mentioned:
The Oasis programs provide teachers with step by step lesson plans, classroom ready growing guides, and ongoing support to successfully integrate food growing into curriculum connected learning. If you are a parent who wants a school garden at your child’s school, or a teacher navigating parent enthusiasm, this episode will help you focus energy where it truly makes a difference. Listen now to discover how parents and teachers can work together, without crossing roles, to grow school gardens that actually thrive. | |||
| 72: Which Oasis Program Is Right for You? A Complete Guide for Teachers | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:16:46 | |
If you’re interested in teaching through food gardens but feel unsure which Oasis program fits your classroom, this episode walks you through the full Oasis suite so you can choose with confidence. Leila explains the differences between Oasis Classroom, Caja Oasis, and Oasis School, who each program is designed for, and how they support teachers at different stages, from indoor seed growing to full regenerative outdoor gardens. All Oasis programs are created for grades 3–8 and are designed to run during class time, with curriculum-connected garden learning that integrates science, language, and math outcomes. Oasis Classroom Caja Oasis Oasis School What All Oasis Programs Include Every Oasis program provides:
Programs run about 1–2 hours per week for 11-12 weeks and are intended to finish about two weeks before the end of the school year. Recommended Starting Point: If you’re new to school gardens, Leila recommends beginning with Oasis Classroom. Indoor growing builds skills, confidence, and student success before expanding to outdoor gardens in later years through Caja Oasis or Oasis School. Enrollment Timeline: Registration for all three Oasis programs closes at the end of February. A K–2 program and an Earth Day mini-program will be available later in the spring. If you’re ready to bring meaningful, curriculum-aligned food growing into your teaching, this episode will help you decide which Oasis path fits your classroom best. | |||
| 63: Oasis Fall & Winter Gardening Program for Classrooms | 12 Sep 2025 | 00:10:04 | |
The doors are officially open to the Oasis Fall & Winter Program, a done-for-you lesson package designed to bring your classroom to life during the gloomiest months of the year. In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, host Leila Mireskandari shares five engaging, low-cost, and curriculum-connected gardening activities that can be done indoors without grow lights or special equipment. From seed stratification to microgreens, these projects help your students feel safe, connected, and excited to learn while building a growth mindset. Whether you’re looking for icebreaker activities, holiday projects, or ways to connect science, sustainability, and food, this program is designed to make your teaching easier and your classroom greener. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Links and Resources: Don’t miss this chance to make your classroom greener, more engaging, and full of life this season. Download the free checklist and join the Oasis Fall & Winter Program before the special offer ends! | |||
| 62: How to Close (or Not Close) Your School Garden for the Winter | 05 Sep 2025 | 00:12:22 | |
Fall often signals the end of gardening season, but when it comes to school gardens, closing things down too early means missing out on valuable learning opportunities. In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, host Leila Mireskandari explains why you don’t need to clear everything away in autumn, and why letting your garden rest naturally through winter is actually better for your students, your soil, and local biodiversity. From kale that thrives under snow to pollinators sheltering in fall leaves, Leila shows you how to take a nature-first approach to seasonal transitions. You’ll also hear practical tips for keeping your school garden safe during the winter months, while still letting it teach lessons about cycles, resilience, and connection to the natural world. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Key Takeaway: Find out more about School Gardening on our website: https://kidsgrowingcity.ca | |||
| 61: How to Design a School Garden | 30 Aug 2025 | 00:10:24 | |
Designing a school garden isn’t just about putting plants in the ground—it’s about creating a sustainable, low-maintenance space that engages students, thrives with minimal summer care, and becomes a true part of the school community. In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, I share my process for designing school gardens that actually work for teachers and students. Drawing from more than a decade of experience and my background as a Permaculture designer, I walk you through the key steps that transform a typical “hard-to-manage” garden into one that’s easy, productive, and magical. You’ll learn:
If you want your school garden to be more than a patch of plants—if you want it to be a living, learning, and lasting space—this episode will give you the foundation to design with ease. 👉 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode
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| 60: How Fall School Gardens Fit Into School Gardens with Ease | 16 Aug 2025 | 00:10:10 | |
Fall is here, and while outdoor gardens may be winding down, your classroom gardening journey is just getting started! In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, Leila Mireskandari explains how fall and winter activities fit into her brand-new School Gardens with Ease course. From harvesting last year’s crops with new students to hands-on indoor gardening projects like seed stratification, seed balls, and growing microgreens, you’ll learn exactly how to keep your students engaged with nature—even when it’s too cold to plant outside. Whether you’re planning a spring garden or simply want fun, low-cost classroom activities, this episode is packed with ideas to make gardening a year-round learning tool. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: | |||
| 59: How I’m Teaching My Complete School Garden Method – From A to Z | 09 Aug 2025 | 00:12:09 | |
Have you ever wished you could create your own school garden program, tailored to your classroom and teaching style? In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, I share the exciting news — I’m developing a full class that teaches my entire method for building educational school gardens from start to finish. You’ll hear how your feedback shaped this decision, why this program is for classroom teachers (not just garden clubs), and what’s included — from garden design and logistics to summer maintenance. I also share why I avoid overly complicated systems like hydroponics and grow towers, and instead focus on simple, affordable, and effective approaches that work for any grade level, including high school. What you’ll learn in this episode:
Whether you teach elementary, middle, or high school, this episode will show you how to integrate hands-on gardening into your curriculum — without adding extra stress or expense. Resources and links mentioned in this episode:
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| 58: Is Growing a School Garden Really That Easy? | 02 Aug 2025 | 00:13:13 | |
Spoiler alert: Yes, and no! The short answer: It depends on how and why you do it. 🌱 Here's what you'll learn in this episode:
Whether you’re a teacher who's never touched soil or a parent eager to help, this episode will give you the honest roadmap to starting a school garden that’s simple, sustainable, and seriously educational. 🎧 Tune in now and find out the truth behind the “ease” of school gardens. | |||
| 57: Should I Build a School Garden Course for High School Teachers? | 25 Jul 2025 | 00:13:42 | |
In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, Leila Mireskandari shares a fresh new idea that came to her—literally—as she woke up: Should she create a School Gardens with Ease course designed for high school teachers? Up until now, Leila has worked primarily with elementary and middle school teachers, building low-maintenance, student-led school gardens that connect seamlessly with the curriculum. But a recent experience watching her daughter’s high school science teacher attempt (and struggle) to grow food with her class got her thinking... Could high school teachers benefit from learning Leila’s school garden method too—even if gardening isn’t a full credit course? Leila shares her personal story of how her children and her Permaculture journey inspired her work, how her Oasis programs became a trusted resource for K–8 classrooms, and why she’s now seriously considering building a course that teaches any interested teacher how to design, implement, and integrate a successful classroom garden—yes, even in high school. Now she wants your feedback. 👇 Click the feedback link in the show notes and let Leila know: Yes, Maybe, or No. 💬 Help Shape the Future: Leila needs your honest feedback. 🌱 Explore More Resources:
🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review: | |||
| 56: Should You Start a School Garden as a Club? (The Truth You Need to Hear) | 19 Jul 2025 | 00:11:42 | |
Thinking about starting your school garden as an eco club or lunchtime green team? You’re not alone—but this episode will change the way you see that common approach. In this bold and honest episode, Leila Mireskandari breaks down why growing a school garden as a club fails most of the time, and why classroom-based gardens are the real path to success. Drawing from over a decade of hands-on experience, Leila shares:
If you’ve ever wondered whether a garden club could work—or if you’ve tried and burned out—this episode will help you reframe and restart the right way. 🌱 Key Takeaways:
📚 Resources Mentioned:
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| 55: Do You Need Outdoor Garden Space to Grow Food with Your Class? | 11 Jul 2025 | 00:09:40 | |
Is an outdoor garden necessary to teach kids how to grow food? Absolutely not! In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, Leila Mireskandari challenges the myth that you need access to an outdoor school garden to create powerful, hands-on gardening experiences in your classroom. Whether you’re in summer mode or gearing up for the new school year, this episode will help you feel excited, not overwhelmed, about school gardening — by showing you just how easy it can be. 🌱 What You'll Learn:
🔗 Links & Resources:
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| 54: Discover Your School Garden Teacher Type | 29 Jun 2025 | 00:09:56 | |
Do you know what kind of school garden teacher you are? In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, I help you discover your School Garden Teacher Type — so you can stop spinning your wheels and start growing with more ease, clarity, and confidence. Whether you're dreaming of your first classroom garden or scaling an existing one, knowing your unique approach to school gardening can completely shift how you plan, grow, and teach. 🎯 I created a free, 2-minute quiz — Discover Your School Garden Teacher Type — to match you with one of four types:
💡Once you know your type, you’ll receive a custom next step and curated resources tailored to where you are right now. Why this matters:
Take the quiz now at kidsgrowingcity.ca/quiz And don’t forget to message me on Instagram or LinkedIn and tell me what type you got — I’d love to hear from you! | |||
| 71: Let’s Grow an Oasis in Your Classroom This Spring | 07 Feb 2026 | 00:13:02 | |
What if you didn’t need raised beds, irrigation systems, or expensive equipment to start a school garden? In the first episode of Season 3, Leila Mireskandari—founder of Kids Growing City and longtime school-garden educator—shares why successful school gardens don’t begin outdoors. They begin in the classroom. After growing school gardens full-time for more than a decade, Leila explains a simple but powerful truth: school gardens are taught into existence. Instead of pouring energy and money into building outdoor infrastructure first, educators can start by teaching students how to grow food from seed—using minimal supplies and curriculum-aligned lessons. Who This Episode Is For This episode is for anyone who cares about school gardens—teachers, principals, parents, community partners, and school leaders. But most of all, it speaks directly to educators who want to lead a garden program that lasts and truly supports learning. Why Most School Gardens Start in the Wrong Place Leila challenges the assumption that schools must build a garden before teachers can use it. Unlike a gym or science lab, a garden is not a finished facility that appears overnight. Designing, planting, maintaining, and harvesting food are themselves the lessons. When schools invest heavily in outdoor beds first, they often face burnout, budget strain, and long-term maintenance problems. Instead, Leila argues that growing food should begin with seeds, observation, and hands-on classroom learning—long before shovels hit the soil. What You Actually Need to Start Forget grow towers and hydroponics systems. To begin a classroom garden, Leila says you only need:
With these basics, students can grow an impressive amount of food indoors while developing scientific thinking, responsibility, and confidence. Teachers Are the Key to Successful School Gardens A central message of the episode is that school gardens thrive when they are:
Community gardens on school grounds can be wonderful, Leila explains, but instructional school gardens depend on educators taking the lead. The Two-Phase Approach: Classroom First, Outdoors Later Leila introduces her two-phase framework for sustainable school gardens. Phase 1 focuses on the classroom. Students learn to germinate seeds, care for seedlings, and grow fast-maturing crops that can be harvested before summer. Longer-season plants can be sent home, donated, or used for fundraising when school ends. Phase 2 comes later. Often in a second year, schools expand outdoors to tackle garden design, bed building, transplanting, and summer maintenance systems. Trying to do everything at once, Leila notes, is what overwhelms many programs. The Oasis Program Series Is Now Open Leila shares that enrollment is open for 2026 in her including Oasis Classroom and outdoor garden lesson packages, along with the School Gardens with Ease Logistics class. These programs provide done-for-you lesson plans and step-by-step systems so teachers can grow thriving gardens with confidence. In this episode, you’ll learn how to start a school garden with minimal supplies, build skills before investing in infrastructure, and grow a classroom oas | |||
| 53: Sheet Mulch Your Way to a Caretaker-Proof Garden | 21 Jun 2025 | 00:14:07 | |
In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, Leila shares real stories from Toronto schools where well-meaning but misinformed caretakers accidentally damaged school gardens—from mowing over fruit trees to refusing to maintain grass paths. These challenges are more common than you might think in school gardening—and there’s an easy solution. Sheet mulching. Leila walks you through how to sheet mulch with your students using just cardboard, water, and wood mulch—while explaining why this method is the perfect way to keep your garden thriving and your caretaker happy (or at least neutral 😉). What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
https://www.kidsgrowingcity.ca/Gardening-for-Elementary-Teachers | |||
| 52: What It Really Takes to Grow a Successful School Garden | 14 Jun 2025 | 00:10:00 | |
What does it really take to grow a thriving school garden year after year? Spoiler alert: it’s not a big budget, a huge team, or fancy tech. In this episode, I share the key ingredients behind the success of one of my Oasis program teachers whose garden is thriving—and growing—without any of the common “must-haves” people assume are necessary. I also explain what kind of teacher doesn't lead to a lasting school garden (even if they mean well), and how the right mindset, structure, and support make all the difference. If you're an educator dreaming of a low-maintenance, curriculum-connected garden space that works within your schedule and budget, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:
🌟 Mentioned in this episode: 👉 School Gardens with Almost No Summer Maintenance workshop – Learn how to set up a thriving garden that won’t fall apart over the summer If you're ready to stop wasting time, money, and energy on school gardens that don’t last—start with a plan. Check out the School Gardens with Almost No Summer Maintenance class linked above. It’s the first step to building something that thrives year after year. | |||
| 51: How to Set Up Your School Garden for a Stress-Free Summer | 30 May 2025 | 00:10:15 | |
Welcome to Episode 51 of School Gardens with Ease! In this episode, host Leila Mireskandari helps you take a deep breath and shows you exactly how to set your school garden up for summer success with almost no summer maintenance. Whether you've created a lush indoor garden with Oasis Classroom or cultivated a vibrant outdoor space through Oasis School or Caja Oasis, this episode will give you essential tips to ensure your garden survives—and thrives—while you’re on vacation. 🌱 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
💡 Key Takeaways:
🎁 Resources Mentioned:
👉 Grab your favorite resource above and go into summer knowing your garden is safe, supported, and set up for success! 💬 Let’s Connect: Have questions or want to share your summer garden setup? DM me on Instagram or email me at Leilam@kidsgrowingcity.ca. 🎧 Listen and subscribe on your favorite platform so you never miss an episode! | |||
| School Garden Timing: The Make-or-Break Factor | 23 May 2025 | 00:10:07 | |
Are you unknowingly sabotaging your school garden project with poor timing? In this fiery episode, Leila Mireskandari tackles one of the most overlooked — and crucial — aspects of school gardening: plant timing. From high school science classes to elementary school projects, too many well-meaning teachers are planting seeds at the wrong time of year, leading to wasted resources, missed learning opportunities, and plant casualties. Leila shares real stories, expert insights, and practical advice to help you avoid these common mistakes and set your classroom garden up for success — in any season. Whether you're planning a classroom window garden or a full outdoor learning space, this episode is a must-listen for educators who care about meaningful, hands-on learning. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🌱 Why gardening is not like any other classroom activity Resources & Links: ✅ Free Guide – School Gardens with Almost No Summer Maintenance | |||
| 49: Biodiverse School Gardens | 16 May 2025 | 00:08:53 | |
The Secret to Low-Maintenance, Biodiverse School Gardens In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, host Leila Mireskandari dives into the concept of biodiversity and how it can be the game-changing secret to creating thriving, low-maintenance school gardens. Drawing from her background in Permaculture, Leila explains how the principles of observing nature, using renewable resources, and integrating diverse plant species can transform school gardens into lush, self-sustaining ecosystems. Leila discusses four key Permaculture principles that align with biodiversity:
Leila also highlights how integrating plants like tomatoes, marigolds, basil, and beans can deter pests naturally, reducing the need for summer maintenance and chemical interventions. Plus, she explains how inviting beneficial insects like ladybugs can keep aphid populations under control, freeing up teachers’ time and reducing stress over summer garden upkeep. Resources Mentioned: Listen to this episode to learn how to harness biodiversity in your school garden, making it more resilient, educational, and magical for your students. Subscribe to School Gardens with Ease for more practical gardening tips tailored for teachers. | |||
| 48: Avoid Transplant Shock – How to Harden Off School Garden Seedlings | 12 May 2025 | 00:15:57 | |
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. | |||
| 47: Should You Have People Fertilizing Your School Garden During Summer? | 05 May 2025 | 00:07:07 | |
Are you overwhelmed by the idea of fertilizing your school garden during summer break—or worse, feeling disappointed when your garden underperforms come fall? In this episode, Leila Mireskandari shares a powerful shift in perspective: you don’t need to fertilize your school garden during summer at all—if you set it up right from the beginning. 💡 Learn why proactive garden design is more powerful than constant summer maintenance, and how proper soil prep, smart plant choices, and working with nature can eliminate fertilizing from your summer to-do list entirely. 🌱 What You’ll Learn:
📚 Resources Mentioned:
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to make your school garden more manageable, this episode will help you feel empowered to design a garden that thrives—without burnout. 👉 Listen now and take the first step toward a stress-free, abundant school garden! | |||
| 46: Is Your School Garden’s Summer Cleanup Too Much? | 22 Apr 2025 | 00:08:13 | |
Welcome back to School Gardens with Ease! I’m your host, Leila Mireskandari, and in this episode, we’re tackling a question that comes up a lot around this time of year: 👉 How much cleanup does a school garden really need in the summer? If you’re a bit of a clean freak when it comes to your school garden—or you’re feeling overwhelmed by summer maintenance—this episode is for you. We’ll explore:
🌿 Spoiler: The best gardens work with nature, not against it. And yes—you can have a thriving garden with almost no summer maintenance. 🎓 Want to go deeper? In my class "School Gardens with Almost No Summer Maintenance," I teach everything you need to know to build and grow your garden with your students during the school year—so summer takes care of itself. | |||
| 45: No Weeds Allowed in School Gardens! (But Don’t Panic if One Shows Up) | 11 Apr 2025 | 00:10:11 | |
Weeding might be the most dreaded chore for school garden volunteers, especially during the summer—but what if it didn’t have to be? In this episode, Leila challenges the common belief that weeds are inevitable in gardens. She breaks down why weeds show up, how our cultural biases shape our attitudes toward them, and how you can design your school garden to prevent them in the first place. She also shares her favorite Permaculture trick for eliminating weeds before they even appear—plus the real reason why a volunteer rose plant didn’t stand a chance in her own backyard garden! 🌿 What You’ll Learn
🛠️ Mentioned in This Episode
📌 Key Takeaway If your garden is full of weeds, it’s not a sign of failure—it’s nature doing her job. But with intentional planting and smart soil coverage, you can avoid weeding altogether… and finally enjoy a low-maintenance, student-led school garden. 👩🏫 Ready to Make Weeding a Thing of the Past? Check out Leila’s class: 🌻 Stay Connected Thanks for tuning in! Subscribe, rate, and review if you’re loving the podcast—and come back next week for more tips to grow a thriving school garden with ease. | |||
| 44: Will Your School Garden turn into a Hot Mess? | 04 Apr 2025 | 00:08:26 | |
Is your school garden going to thrive this summer—or completely overwhelm your volunteers and fizzle out in a tangle of weeds? In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, I’m diving back into summer maintenance (yep, again!)—because this is the time of year to be planting with intention, and if you don’t… your garden could be doomed before the heat even hits. If you want your garden to be buzzing with bees, bursting with herbs, and producing food all summer long—without exhausting your community—this episode is packed with the proactive strategies that actually make that possible. ✨ Inside this episode:
🎓 Want to go deeper? 🎥 Missed the webinar on summer maintenance? Let me know in the comments if you want me to bring it back! | |||
| 70: Planning Your 2026 School Garden Starts Now | 13 Dec 2025 | 00:07:13 | |
As the year winds down and the excitement of a fresh start builds, this episode is an invitation to think ahead, strategically and calmly, about your 2026 school garden. Mid-December is not too early to plan. In fact, it is the ideal time. In this episode, Leila Mireskandari explains why successful, low-stress school gardens are not built in spring, they are built through intentional winter planning. You will hear how preparation, timing, and realistic systems make the difference between a garden that exhausts teachers and one that thrives with ease. Why Most School Gardens Fail (and How to Avoid It) After more than a decade of working full-time in school gardens, Leila has seen a consistent pattern: well-intentioned educators follow advice that is incomplete, misleading, or unrealistic for real classrooms. In this episode, Leila explains:
Free Annual Webinar: School Gardens with Ease This limited-time webinar is designed for teachers and parents who want clarity before jumping into a school garden. You will learn:
⏳ Available until December 31 👉 Register for the free webinar: The School Gardens with Ease Course (Doors Closing Soon) For the first time, Leila teaches her entire school garden system from A to Z. The course covers:
The course includes two classes:
⏳ Enrollment closes shortly after the new year (timer on the registration page) 👉 View the course and enrollment details: Coming Up: Oasis Done-for-You Lesson Packages (Grades 3–8) For educators who prefer ready-made materials, the Oasis Series will reopen later in the year, perfectly timed for spring preparation. These done-for-you lesson packages help you:
👉 Learn more about the Oasis Series: If you are thinking about starting, or restarting, a school garden in 2026, this episode will help you set realistic expectations and choose the right level of support. 🎧 Listen to Episode 70 of School Gardens with Ease Let’s make nature proud, and change the world, one school garden at a time, with ease and fun. | |||
| Can a School Garden Thrive with No Summer Maintenance? | 28 Mar 2025 | 00:11:23 | |
Short answer: No. But the longer answer might surprise you! Summers can be tough on school gardens—drought, weeds, and neglect often leave them struggling. But what if your school garden could be designed to require almost zero summer maintenance? In this episode, I break down how Permaculture techniques can help you create a thriving school garden with: Yes, it’s possible! I’ve done it many times over the past 11 years. And now, I’m sharing how you can do it too. 🎉 Join My Low-Cost Webinar! 🎉 💰 Limited-Time Offer: Get 50% off until March 31st—only $14 CAD! If you're listening after April 2nd, let me know if you're interested—I might bring it back! Let’s make school gardens effortless this summer. 🌱 Resources & Links: | |||
| Why Water Matters – For Your Garden, Your Students, and the World | 21 Mar 2025 | 00:08:41 | |
🌱 Welcome to another episode of School Gardens with Ease! I’m your host, Leila Mireskandari, and today’s episode is a special one—part of the Podcasthon movement, where over a thousand podcasts highlight a charity of their choice. 💧 In this episode, we’re talking about water—clean, accessible water—and why it’s critical for school gardens, communities, and the world. 🌍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
💡 Take Action Today!
🎧 Listen Now & Share 🔗 https://www.kidsgrowingcity.ca/school-gardens-with-almost-no-summer-maintenance | |||
| Spring Cleaning Mistakes That Hurt Your School Garden | 14 Mar 2025 | 00:10:50 | |
🌱 Happy Spring Equinox! As gardeners, we’re excited to welcome spring, but before you grab your rake and start clearing up your school garden, pause and listen to this episode first! In today’s episode, I’m talking about one of the biggest mistakes school gardeners (and home gardeners) make—cleaning up too early in spring! Many beneficial insects like ladybugs, bees, and butterflies are still taking shelter under leaves and dead vegetation. Clearing your garden too soon can harm biodiversity and reduce the natural helpers your garden needs to thrive. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ Why early spring clean-up is a big no-no for your garden Let’s work with nature, not against it, and teach our students to do the same. Don’t be a clean freak—be a garden protector! 💚 Happy Spring! I’ll see you in the next episode. 🔗 Links & Resources: | |||
| 40: Should You Use Plastic to Grow Food? | 28 Feb 2025 | 00:10:35 | |
Welcome to School Gardens with Ease! I’m your host, Leila Mireskandari, and in this episode, we’re diving into an important and sometimes controversial question: Should we use plastic to grow food? In This Episode:
Key Takeaways:
If you or someone you know has a solution to replace plastic in classroom seed-starting, I’d love to hear from you! Let’s continue the conversation. You can reach out to me through my website or social media. Thanks for listening! See you next week for another episode of School Gardens with Ease. | |||
| 39: Humanizing Learning with Thinkering Collective | 21 Feb 2025 | 00:04:24 | |
Are you passionate about transforming education by humanizing learning? If so, this episode is for you! In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, I introduce you to Thinkering Collective—a movement dedicated to empowering students to become changemakers in their communities. Their work is all about fostering curiosity, redefining academic success beyond grades, and making real-world impact. I’m excited to share that I was recently interviewed on their podcast, Thinkering Minds! Instead of a full episode here, I encourage you to head over there and listen to our conversation about the role of school gardens in humanizing learning. 🌱 Listen to my interview on Thinkering Minds Podcast 👉 https://open.spotify.com/episode/41tbcZFolMFgytmHzkj41Y But that’s not all! I’m also thrilled to announce my new partnership with Thinkering Collective and an amazing opportunity for educators. I have 12 nomination spots available for their Fellowship Program, which is designed to equip educators with the tools, support, and community they need to lead real-world change in their schools. 🚀 Interested in the Fellowship Program? Learn more here: https://thinkeringcollective.org/introducing-the-thinkering-collective-fellowship/ 📩 Want to be nominated? Email me at Leilam@kidsgrowingcity.ca I can’t wait for you to check out this episode and explore the incredible work of Thinkering Collective! See you next week! | |||
| 38: Which Oasis Program is Right for You? | 14 Feb 2025 | 00:07:28 | |
Are you an elementary or middle school teacher eager to grow a thriving classroom or school garden, without extra work outside of class time? In this episode, I break down the four programs in the Oasis Program Series to help you find the best fit for your students, space, and level of commitment. 🌱 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
🔍 Want a sneak peek? Check out episode 37 for a full walkthrough of one of our Oasis lessons! 🎯 Next Steps: https://www.kidsgrowingcity.ca/links-oasis-programs Let’s get your students growing! 🌿 | |||
| 37: School Gardens: Vendor-Led vs. Teacher-Led | 07 Feb 2025 | 00:10:36 | |
Welcome to Episode 37 of School Gardens with Ease! In this episode, I dive into a question I often get from teachers and principals: "Can you come in and run the school garden program for us?" My short answer? No. But there’s a deeper reason behind it, and today, I’m sharing why having an external vendor grow your school garden isn’t the best approach, and why you are the best person to lead this initiative in your classroom. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 🌱 Why I stopped running school garden programs myself and shifted to empowering teachers. A school garden is not just an extracurricular activity, it’s a powerful, hands-on teaching tool that integrates seamlessly with math, science, language arts, social studies, and more. And you, as the classroom teacher, are the best person to make it happen! Join the Oasis Program! The Oasis Programs give you everything you need: lesson plans, growing guides, and support, to make school gardening simple and successful. Doors close on February 21st, so don’t miss your chance to join! If you’re listening after that date, hop on the waitlist for the next round. 👉 Learn more and sign up here: https://www.kidsgrowingcity.ca/links-oasis-programs Let’s grow a thriving, abundant school garden—together! 🎙 See you next week for another episode! | |||
| A Smart Approach to Funding Your School Garden | 31 Jan 2025 | 00:08:07 | |
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 a well-connected teaching plan over physical garden infrastructure. Key Points:
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Us:
Call to Action: If you're passionate about creating a school garden, focus on building a solid teaching plan first. For more tips and ready-to-use lesson plans, check out the OASIS programs. Let's grow an educational garden together! | |||
| 35: Example Lesson Plan: The 7 Layers of a School Garden Lesson Plan | 24 Jan 2025 | 00:18:54 | |
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 your students in a hands-on and meaningful way, this episode is for you! | |||
| 34: Let’s Write Those Gardening Lesson Plans (Part 2) | 17 Jan 2025 | 00:07:32 | |
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 first! It’s packed with essential information on how to map out the tasks required to grow a garden with your students. This episode focuses on how to turn garden tasks into step-by-step activity guides that make gardening fun, hands-on, and educational. I also share how we’ve structured the lesson plans inside the Oasis programs to connect gardening activities with key curriculum concepts. 🌻 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why you should start with garden tasks and build lesson plans around them Why This Approach Works: Creating a school garden is about more than just growing food, it’s about helping students build a deep connection with nature while making core subjects engaging and tangible. 🌎 By using gardening as a tool for learning, you’re showing students that what they learn in class has real-world applications. To find out more about our Oasis Series of Lesson Plan Packages and Programs go HERE: | |||
| 69: Why Haven’t You Joined the School Gardens with Ease Webinar Yet? | 17 Nov 2025 | 00:05:52 | |
In this episode of School Gardens with Ease, Leila Mireskandari offers a heartfelt wake-up call for educators, parents, and school leaders who believe in the power of regenerative school gardens—but still haven’t attended the free School Gardens with Ease webinar. If you know that kids need more nature, more hope, more hands-on learning, and more connection to real food, this episode is for you. Leila speaks directly to the rare, passionate advocates who understand the value of school gardens and want to be part of creating positive change for the next generation. She also tackles the biggest reason people never attend the webinar—life gets busy—and why now is the moment to recommit. The webinar runs three times a day, every day, and is packed with over a decade of full-time, real-world school garden experience. If you care about food justice, student well-being, environmental education, or creating thriving learning environments, this is your reminder to show up. What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Who This Episode Is For
Key Takeaway If you believe every child deserves to know where food comes from—and if you want to empower the next generation with meaningful, hopeful, nature-connected education—then attending the webinar is the simplest, most impactful next step. Call to Action 🌱 Register for the free School Gardens with Ease webinar (runs 3 times daily — even weekends & holidays!) After you attend, share the link with every teacher, parent, administrator, or decision-maker you know. The movement grows when you share it. | |||
| 33: From Garden to Curriculum, Not The Other Way Around! | 10 Jan 2025 | 00:18:05 | |
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, led by teachers, and supported by the community. Not parent-volunteer projects outside of class time. Why Lesson Plans Matter: If school gardens are built and maintained during class time, they must integrate with the curriculum. That’s non-negotiable. Gardens can enrich science, math, language arts, social studies, history, geography, health, and more. Without solid lesson plans, a school garden won’t achieve its educational goals. But here’s where many teachers go wrong: The Right Way to Write Gardening Lesson Plans: ✅ Start with the garden itself. Then, connect these hands-on gardening tasks to your curriculum. A garden that grows consistently over time provides ongoing educational opportunities, not just sporadic activities. Final Reminder: It’s All About the Plan A thriving school garden isn’t about hard work or personal time sacrifice. It’s about having a good plan. And if you need help? My Oasis Suite of done-for-you lesson packages (https://www.kidsgrowingcity.ca/links-oasis-programs) gives you everything you need: growing guides, curriculum connections, and student activities. Want more details? Download my free seed selection guide (https://www.kidsgrowingcity.ca/get-seed-list-gift-for-teachers) and check out my guide for a low-cost, foolproof way to start your seeds indoors (https://www.kidsgrowingcity.ca/offers/pZ2cNrYj/checkout). Thanks for listening! See you next time on School Gardens with Ease! | |||
| 32: Teacher Pulling Back the Curtain to Oasis Programs (Part 2) | 07 Jan 2025 | 00:26:07 | |
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:
Shant also reflects on how gardening became a personal passion, spilling over into his home life and helping him discover new hobbies like making hot sauce from his harvest! He shares valuable advice for teachers considering classroom gardening but feeling overwhelmed by the idea of taking on more work. If you haven't listened to Part 1, make sure to go back and catch it to hear how Shant got started on this journey. His story will leave you feeling inspired and ready to bring the magic of gardening into your own classroom! Links and Resources: Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review to help more educators discover how they can easily integrate gardening into their classrooms! | |||
| 31: Teacher Pulling Back the Curtain to Oasis Programs (Part 1) | 03 Jan 2025 | 00:26:06 | |
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 passionate advocate for classroom gardening. In this episode, we explore:
Shant also shares heartwarming stories about his students' excitement and pride as they watched their garden flourish. You'll hear how Oasis gardening programs helped Shant create a vibrant, hands-on learning environment that empowered his students to make real-world connections. Make sure to tune in to Part 2 (released in a few days), where Shant delves into his outdoor gardening journey and reveals the transformative impact gardening had on his teaching and personal life! | |||
| 30: It’s Time to Dream a 2025 School Garden | 13 Dec 2024 | 00:12:03 | |
Welcome to the Final Episode of 2024! In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Upcoming in 2025:
Resources Mentioned:
Key Takeaway: Reflect, learn, and dream again! Your 2025 school garden journey starts now, with the right mindset, clear goals, and actionable steps. Together, we can change the world, one school garden at a time. Happy Holidays and New Year! | |||
| 29: How to Create a Thriving Educational School Garden | 06 Dec 2024 | 00:15:10 | |
Thriving School Gardens don't happen by accident! What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Episode Highlights
Resources Mentioned
My Recommended Seeds List for Schools:
https://www.kidsgrowingcity.ca/offers/8WLA6Gpd/checkout
https://www.kidsgrowingcity.ca/main-registration-page-school-gardens-with-ease
https://www.kidsgrowingcity.ca/links-oasis-programs Creating a thriving school garden doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right approach, you can turn your garden into a hands-on teaching tool that inspires students and transforms your classroom. | |||
| 28: Growing School Gardens with Ease – The Shortcut to Success | 29 Nov 2024 | 00:16:04 | |
Looking for a shortcut to an easy school garden? What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Highlights:
Don’t Miss the Free Webinar! This episode is just the tip of the iceberg. For a detailed step-by-step guide on building an abundant and easy school garden, join Leila’s free School Gardens with Ease webinar. You’ll also receive three free guides to help you get started. 📅 Webinar Details:
👉 Click here to sign up for the webinar! Let’s grow school gardens with ease together! 🌱 | |||
| 27: Why Winter Season Matters for School Gardens! | 23 Nov 2024 | 00:11:15 | |
Don't grow whatever whenever! Leila explains why growing plants out of season (like tomato seeds in fall) leads to poor results and disheartened students. She stresses the importance of planning and preparation during fall and winter to ensure a thriving garden in spring. Highlights:
Links and Resources:
Take Action:
Ready to start? Explore the links above and reach out to Leila now. Let’s ensure your school garden thrives with proper timing and preparation. | |||
| 26: Outdoor Education, School Gardens, and Finding Common Ground with Author Lauren MacLean | 15 Nov 2024 | 00:32:57 | |
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 her work as an educator brings hands-on outdoor experiences into the classroom. Lauren shares insights on integrating school gardens into the curriculum and offers practical tips for teachers looking to overcome common barriers, such as finding time for outdoor education. She explains how she creatively weaves subjects like math, science, and social studies into outdoor learning, making the garden a year-round, interactive classroom. Lauren’s journey from a former field hockey athlete to a teacher passionate about outdoor education highlights her commitment to fostering environmental stewardship among young learners. Lauren also introduces her new book, Sitting with Nature: An Educator's Guide to Sit Spots, a comprehensive resource filled with weekly prompts and lesson ideas to engage students in nature-based activities. Topics Covered:
Resources and Links:
Connect with Lauren:
Subscribe & Follow: | |||
| Hugelkultur Magic: The Garden Hack Every Teacher Needs to Know | 08 Nov 2024 | 00:20:26 | |
Build a Resilient School Garden with Hugelkultur! Topics Covered:
Resources Mentioned:
https://www.kidsgrowingcity.ca/links-oasis-programs Don’t Miss Out: | |||
| 24: Debunking the “Expensive” School Garden Myth | 01 Nov 2024 | 00:10:25 | |
Let's tackles the "Expensive" myth surrounding school gardens: Key Takeaways:
Resources:
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| 68: What’s on the School Gardens with Ease Free Webinar? | 31 Oct 2025 | 00:06:34 | |
Thinking about starting a school garden but don’t know where to begin, or worried it might be too much work? In this episode, host Leila Mireskandari pulls back the curtain on her annual free webinar, School Gardens with Ease, and explains why it’s a must-attend event for any teacher who wants to grow a thriving classroom or school garden without stress, big budgets, or burnout. Leila shares what’s inside this 70-minute masterclass, why so many school gardens fail (and how to avoid those pitfalls), and the exact strategies that make growing food with your students simple, sustainable, and fun. 🌿 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
🎁 Free Resources: When you register for the School Gardens with Ease free webinar, you’ll also receive three of Leila’s downloadable guides, completely free! 🕒 How to Attend: The webinar runs three times a day, every day (including weekends) through the end of this year. No excuses — this is your chance to learn how to grow a school garden the easy way! | |||
| 23: Parent to Partner: Building Sustainable School Gardens | 25 Oct 2024 | 00:11:29 | |
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 insights for teachers as well, particularly in building partnerships with parents to create sustainable, educational gardens. Leila reflects on her own journey, starting as a concerned parent without a background in gardening, before transforming her passion into a full-time career. Sharing personal stories from her early days of volunteering for after-school gardening programs, she highlights the challenges and lessons learned along the way, including the reality of burnout and the lack of teacher engagement when gardens are treated as extracurricular projects. Key Takeaways:
By the end of the episode, Leila urges parents to find a passionate teacher and send them her way for guidance and resources, emphasizing that this is the easiest and most effective path to a thriving school garden. Resources Mentioned:
Tune in next week for more tips on making school gardens easy and impactful! | |||
| 22: Four-in-One, A School Garden That Does It All! | 18 Oct 2024 | 00:09:57 | |
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 Classrooms about her system for outdoor education, where she identified four types of gardens:
If you missed that episode, I encourage you to check it out and connect with Victoria if outdoor education interests you. A Food Garden That Does It All In today’s episode, I discuss how the food gardens we create in my Oasis programs—like the Oasis School and Caja Oasis—can serve all four functions at once. Using Permaculture principles, we integrate multiple elements into our garden designs to meet diverse needs. Here's how:
Permaculture Principles in Action While I don’t teach Permaculture directly, its principles influence every element of my programs—from lesson plans and plant selection to student booklets and step-by-step growing guides. Concepts like valuing diversity and integrating elements ensure our gardens serve multiple purposes. If you're curious about how the Oasis Program Suite can help you build a multi-purpose school garden with ease, check out the link below: | |||
| 21: Empowering Educators to Reconnect with Nature Through Outdoor Classrooms with Victoria Hackett, M.Ed. | 11 Oct 2024 | 00:27:31 | |
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 envisioning a better outdoor space for her children’s school to becoming a leader in the creation of outdoor classrooms. Together, Leila and Victoria discuss the transformative power of outdoor learning and how it impacts both children and educators. Key Discussion Points:
About Victoria Hackett, M.Ed. Victoria Hackett is a passionate leader in outdoor education with over 30 years of experience in various educational settings. Through her work with educators and parents, she provides tailored support to help cultivate outdoor classrooms that enrich children's learning and well-being. She is the creator of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, CIRCLE membership community, and the upcoming Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program. Victoria is dedicated to combating nature-deficit disorder and fostering environments where children can thrive outdoors. Connect with Victoria:
Victoria will be launching her new Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program in late December 2024/January 2025. Stay tuned for details! | |||
| 20: The Biggest Mistake in Gardening Lesson Plans—And How to Fix It! | 04 Oct 2024 | 00:15:15 | |
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 that many teachers start by focusing on their curriculum needs—like teaching math, science, or language arts—and then try to build a gardening lesson around those topics. While that method might work for some hands-on activities, it’s not the right approach for growing a garden. Leila breaks down why this strategy leads to scattered, non-cohesive lessons that won't help you or your students grow an actual garden. Instead, Leila shares her expert approach: Start with the garden! From there, create a step-by-step list of tasks needed to grow your garden, then tie those tasks back to your core curriculum. Whether you’re planning a classroom, container, raised bed, or in-ground garden, this method ensures that your students grow a thriving garden while learning a variety of subjects in the process. Highlights of this episode include:
Leila also introduces her Oasis series of programs, which offer ready-to-use lesson plans designed to help teachers grow a full garden during class time in just 10 hours over spring. Whether you’re new to school gardens or looking to improve your gardening lesson plans, this episode is packed with actionable advice. Key Takeaway: Start with the garden and build your lesson plans around what needs to be done to grow it—then link those tasks to your curriculum. Resources Mentioned:
If you have any questions or need more tips, feel free to reach out to Leila for future episode topics. | |||