Shows
School Gardens with Ease57: Should I Build a School Garden Course for High School Teachers?Send us a textIn 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 teache...2025-07-2513 min
School Gardens with Ease56: Should You Start a School Garden as a Club? (The Truth You Need to Hear)Send us a textThinking 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:Why garden clubs often lead to teacher burnout and abandoned garden bedsThe key logistical issues that clubs can’...2025-07-1911 min
School Gardens with Ease55: Do You Need Outdoor Garden Space to Grow Food with Your Class?Send us a textIs 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:Why outdoor garden space i...2025-07-1109 min
School Gardens with Ease51: How to Set Up Your School Garden for a Stress-Free SummerSend us a textWelcome to Episode 51 of School Gardens with Ease! As the school year winds down, are you heading into summer break with peace of mind, or dread, when it comes to your school garden? 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 S...2025-05-3010 min
School Gardens with EaseSchool Garden Timing: The Make-or-Break FactorSend us a textAre 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...2025-05-2310 min
School Gardens with Ease49: Biodiverse School GardensSend us a textThe Secret to Low-Maintenance, Biodiverse School GardensIn 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:Observe and Interact – How learning from nature can fo...2025-05-1608 min
School Gardens with Ease48: Avoid Transplant Shock – How to Harden Off School Garden SeedlingsSend us a textIn 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...2025-05-1215 min
School Gardens with Ease47: Should You Have People Fertilizing Your School Garden During Summer?Send us a textAre 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 lis...2025-05-0507 min
School Gardens with Ease46: Is Your School Garden’s Summer Cleanup Too Much?Send us a textWelcome 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:The difference between necessary and unnecessary cleaningWhy a productive vegeta...2025-04-2208 min
School Gardens with EaseWhy Water Matters – For Your Garden, Your Students, and the WorldSend us a text🌱 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:Why Charity:Water is my favorite nonprofit and how their 100% donation mo...2025-03-2108 min
School Gardens with Ease40: Should You Use Plastic to Grow Food?Send us a textWelcome 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:Why I still use plastic party cups to start seeds in my Oasis programs.The dilemma of balancing environmental responsibility with practical classroom gardening.The importance of sub-irrigation and why paper, clay, or biodegradable pots don’t work in a classroom setting.My ongoing search for a viable alternative to plastic that is moi...2025-02-2810 min
School Gardens with Ease30: It’s Time to Dream a 2025 School GardenSend us a textWelcome 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 the perfect time to evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and how to make your school garden dreams a reality in the coming year.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why the end of the calendar year is an ideal time to plan your school garden.The im...2024-12-1312 min
Outdoor Classrooms Podcast132: Beyond the Four Walls: Embracing Nature in Education with Maxine and Brianna from Buena Vista SchoolIntroduction:Welcome to the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, where we explore outdoor classroom stories, nature-based curriculum and outdoor teaching strategies. In this episode, we are thrilled to talk with Maxine Panchuk and Brianna Aubin, two innovative educators committed to nature-based learning in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan CANADA. Guest Bios:Maxine Panchuk: A dedicated kindergarten teacher using place-based pedagogy, Maxine integrates her passions for gardening, land-based teachings, and experiential learning into her classrooms. Her aim is to cultivate a generation connected with nature while learning foundational skills.Brianna Aubin: Brianna leads a grade 1 classroom with a strong emphasis on in...2024-12-1049 min
School Gardens with Ease28: Growing School Gardens with Ease – The Shortcut to SuccessSend us a textLooking 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-minute webinar, starting December 1st. This webinar is all about empowering educators and parents to grow school gardens with ease, and in this episode, Leila offers a short and sweet version of what you’ll learn in the webinar.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The core philosop...2024-11-2916 min
School Gardens with Ease27: Why Winter Season Matters for School Gardens!Send us a textDon'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 to grow educational gardens or a parent supporting a school gardening project, understanding the seasons is non-negotiable.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 ga...2024-11-2311 min
Teach OutdoorsGrowing Green Spaces: School Gardens with Ease featuring Leila MireskandariWelcome back to Teach Outdoors, the podcast that inspires educators to take learning outside! In this episode, we chat with Leila Mireskandari, a Gardening Coach for teachers, founder of Kids Growing City, and host of the School Gardens with Ease podcast. Leila shares her journey from software developer to school garden expert, driven by her passion for growing food and teaching children crucial life skills. We dive into her Oasis programs, designed to help teachers create thriving school gardens that are fully managed by students and integrated into the curriculum. Whether you’re new to garden-based learning or looking to...2024-11-2155 min
School Gardens with Ease24: Debunking the “Expensive” School Garden MythSend us a textLet'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, and how a well-planned garden can actually be both affordable and sustainable. From examining why people assume school gardens are pricey to offering practical, low-cost alternatives, Leila guides listeners through the steps to make school gardening an achievable goal. Discover the common pitfalls that lead to budget-busting gardens, the traps of unnecessary equipment, and the benefits of...2024-11-0110 minSchool Gardens with Ease23: Parent to Partner: Building Sustainable School GardensSend us a textIn 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...2024-10-2511 minSchool Gardens with Ease22: Four-in-One, A School Garden That Does It All!Send us a textWelcome 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:Gardens that feedGardens for art and beautyGardens as outdoor learning stationsGardens that attract wildlifeIf you missed that episode, I encourage you to check it out and co...2024-10-1809 minSchool Gardens with Ease21: Empowering Educators to Reconnect with Nature Through Outdoor Classrooms with Victoria Hackett, M.Ed.Send us a textIn 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:Victoria's Journey: Learn how Victoria’s experience as a parent led her to crea...2024-10-1127 minOutdoor Classrooms Podcast125: Seeds of Change: Growing Educational Gardens with Leila Mireskandari founder of Kids Growing CityShow Notes: Seeds of Change: Growing Educational GardensEpisode OverviewIn this episode, we dive into the transformative impact of creating educational gardens that feed with Leila Mireskandari. Discover how these gardens are not only teaching kids about gardening but also fostering environmental awareness and life skills.Key Topics DiscussedFounding Kids Growing CityLeila's inspiration for starting Kids Growing City.The mission and vision behind the initiative.Importance of Educational GardensHow educational gardens serve as a tool for learning.The benefits of hands-on environmental education.2024-10-0843 minSchool Gardens with Ease20: The Biggest Mistake in Gardening Lesson Plans—And How to Fix It!Send us a textIn 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-co...2024-10-0415 minSchool Gardens with Ease18: 5 School Garden Myths That Are Holding You BackSend us a textIn 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, this episode is for you! Leila goes straight to the heart of five common misconceptions that might be holding you back.Here’s what you’ll learn:Myth 1: The more volunteers, the easier it is – Not necessarily! Learn why too much help can actually create chaos...2024-09-2012 minSchool Gardens with Ease15: Unlock Cost-Saving Design Secrets for Your School Garden Pitch: Permaculture Techniques and Budgeting Tips Every Teacher Needs to KnowSend us a textIn 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.Join Leila Mireskandari as she reveals powerful permaculture design techniques, like Hugelkultur and sheet mulching, that can transform your school garden into a regenerative, water-conserving powerhouse—all while staying within budget. Learn why curvy, natural garden designs outperform traditional straight rows and discover how to source materials like wood and soil for free or at...2024-08-3019 minSchool Gardens with Ease14: Mastering the "When" and "Where" of Your School Garden Proposal: Practical Steps for a Seamless IntegrationSend us a textIn 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 transform their classrooms and schools into thriving green spaces that enhance learning across all subjects.What You’ll Learn:Timing is Everything: Discover how to seamlessly integrate garden activities into your daily class schedule without adding extra work or stress.Perfect Placement: Learn why the location of your...2024-08-2313 minSchool Gardens with Ease13: Crafting the Ultimate School Garden Lesson Plans: Ensuring Educational Impact and Budget SuccessSend us a textIn 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 aspects of your proposal: the integration of lesson plans that turn your garden into a powerful educational tool.Key Takeaways:The Core of School Gardens: Discover why lesson plans are essential for transforming a school garden into an educational experience and how they differentiate school gardens from any other...2024-08-1612 minSchool Gardens with Ease12: The Detailed Plan & What to Grow in a School GardenSend us a textIn 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 series and dives deep into the heart of your proposal: the detailed plan.Leila explains the critical elements your plan should cover, including the "who," "what," "when," and "where" of your garden project. She emphasizes the importance of ensuring that students, not adults, are at the center of all garden activities, from building to growing. This...2024-08-0914 minSchool Gardens with Ease11: Crafting a Convincing School Garden Proposal (Part 1)Send us a textn this episode of the "School Gardens with Ease" podcast, host Leila Mireskandari dives into the first part of a crucial topic: how to create a compelling proposal for an educational food garden at your school. This episode, the first in a multi-part series, focuses on the foundational elements you need to make your pitch irresistible to school decision-makers like principals, directors, school board committees, and parent councils.Episode Highlights:Introduction to School Garden Proposals: Learn why it’s important to craft a solid proposal or pr...2024-08-0210 minSchool Gardens with EaseTrailer: School Gardens with Ease PodcastSend us a textCOMING SOON! I'm Leila Mireskandari, the founder and director of Kids Growing City, a non-profit with the mission to teach the next generation how to grow their own food!I have dedicated over a decade of my life to supporting teachers to grow classroom and school gardens, full-time, have studied in this field, have written countless growing lesson plans and built many growing programs.And I'm on a mission to help Elementary and Middle School Teachers...... TEACH their flourishing, producing, and empowering classroom and school gardens into existence!2024-06-1701 min
Thriving In Motherhood Podcast | Productivity, Planning, Family Systems, Time Management, Survival Mode, Mental Health, VisionEverything Happens for a Reason with Leila MireskandariThis weeks chat with Leila Mireskandari @kidsgrowingcity encouraged me to have hope that each of our struggles and challenges can lead to something good for our lives. Her own unique experiences of growing up during a war and knowing hunger and discovering her daughter's food allergies have culminated in a passion for helping kids become connected to nature and know how to grow their own food. I'd love to know your big take-aways!2021-04-0755 min
SecondWindHow Can Permaculture Improve Not Only Your Life, But Your Childrens' Too?Having spent 8 years of her childhood in Iran in a time of war, Leila Mireskandari was accustomed to seeing her life with a "scarcity mentality." She thought she couldn't make any difference in the world as a whole and that she should only focus on her and her family. This changed when she moved to Canada, became a mother and was introduced to Permaculture. She has now written edible gardening curricula for schools and taught hundreds of kids how to grow food, sustain gardens and essentially provide the necessities to life that may not always be available in our economy...2017-08-0157 min
SecondWindHow Can Permaculture Improve Not Only Your Life, But Your Childrens' Too?Having spent 8 years of her childhood in Iran in a time of war, Leila Mireskandari was accustomed to seeing her life with a "scarcity mentality." She thought she couldn't make any difference in the world as a whole and that she should only focus on her and her family. This changed when she moved to Canada, became a mother and was introduced to Permaculture. She has now written edible gardening curricula for schools and taught hundreds of kids how to grow food, sustain gardens and essentially provide the necessities to life that may not always be available in our economy...2017-08-0157 min