I teach a vocational horticulture class for medium custody offenders at a correctional facility, and I'm looking for fun and engaging contest ideas for my upcoming 8-week course. We're limited to container growing, including pots and grow beds, and I'm hoping to incorporate hydroponics soon. Since eight weeks isn't enough time for many plants to mature, I'm considering contests like growing sunflowers or pumpkins, but I'd love to hear any other suggestions you might have that could fit within this time frame.
3 Answers
Hydroponics could be a game changer here! While some might say that 8 weeks isn't enough for bigger plants like pumpkins, starting with fast-growing herbs or greens can be really engaging. Let each student choose what to plant from a selection of seeds—this way they feel more invested in their garden. Maybe consider smaller individual plots to track their progress!
How about radishes or green beans? They both grow quickly and could be a fun challenge. Plus, they’re pretty easy to care for and can yield tasty results!
Why not focus on fast-growing crops? You can have your students grow leafy greens like spinach or lettuce, or small root veggies such as radishes, beets, and even baby carrots. They usually mature in about 8 weeks, and it would be great for them to actually harvest and enjoy what they've grown! You could also consider flowers like poppies, marigolds, zinnias, and nasturtiums that bloom quickly, too!
Thanks for the ideas! We already have most of those greens growing, but I hadn’t thought about poppies!
I just started looking into hydroponics, but funding is a bit of an issue right now. I like your idea about letting them choose their plants; it’ll help with personal responsibility, especially since I have a big class!