Farm to Table Kids
Farm to Table Kids’ mission is to help children find what lights their heart in nature through organic gardening, farm to table cooking, and nature crafting - online and at their organic kids farm campus in Freeport, Maine.
From Gardening 101 tips, tricks, and hands-on science-based experiences to exploring the life cycle of Dahlias, these nature-based learning activities and resources are sure to inspire foundational, joyful, garden-based learning.
Design Your Garden, Define Your Season: How to Draw Your Garden Layout
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
1h 25m
•
Grades 3 - 8
Video
Design Your Garden, Define Your Season: How to Draw Your Garden Layout
By Farm to Table Kids
3 - 8
1h 25m
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VIDEO
First Frost, Last Frost, No Frost: Understanding Nature’s Garden Clock
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
1h 10m
•
Grades 3 - 8
First Frost, Last Frost, No Frost: Understanding Nature’s Garden Clock
By Farm to Table Kids
3 - 8
1h 10m
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Grow Where You’re Planted: Understanding Plant Hardiness Zones
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
1h 5m
•
Grades 3 - 8
Grow Where You’re Planted: Understanding Plant Hardiness Zones
By Farm to Table Kids
3 - 8
1h 5m
Every region has its own unique climate, and not all plants can grow everywhere! In this activity, students will use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map to identify their zone and determine which plants thrive where they live. By exploring plant cards, categorizing crops, and creating personalized garden plans, students will understand why it’s essential to “grow where you’re planted.”
This activity is 1 of 4 in the "Things to Know Before You Grow" collection from Farm to Table Kids. Visit the collection to view the full set of learning resource and learn more about Part 2 of the collection series, "How to Grow Dahlias."
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Garden Eyes Open! How to Garden Journal Like a Pro
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
1h 15m
•
Grades 3 - 8
Garden Eyes Open! How to Garden Journal Like a Pro
By Farm to Table Kids
3 - 8
1h 15m
In this engaging and interactive activity, students will practice mindful garden walks and document their observations in both personal and class-wide garden journals. They will learn to record their findings on plant growth, soil health, pollinators, weather, and more by using visual cues, sketches, and sensory reflections. The journal will serve as both a scientific tool and a narrative for the garden!
This activity is 3 of 4 in the "Things to Know Before You Grow" collection from Farm to Table Kids. Visit the collection to view the full set of learning resource and learn more about Part 2 of the collection series, "How to Grow Dahlias."
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Tuber Trouble or Garden Gold?: How to Perform a Dahlia Tuber Health Check
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
1h 10m
•
Grades 3 - 8
Video
Tuber Trouble or Garden Gold?: How to Perform a Dahlia Tuber Health Check
By Farm to Table Kids
3 - 8
1h 10m
Before planting, it’s important to know if your dahlia tubers are ready to grow—or headed for the compost bin! In this hands-on science and garden investigation lesson, students become garden scientists by learning how to evaluate the health of a dahlia tuber. Using visual guides, observation, and a detailed health check worksheet, students will sort tubers into "Plant Me," "Needs Help," or "Compost Bin." They'll gain confidence identifying healthy growing signs—like firmness and visible eyes—and learn how to identify a healthy vs an unhealthy dahlia tuber.
This activity is 1 of 5 in the "How to Grow Dahlias" collection from Farm to Table Kids. Visit the collection to view the full set of learning resource and learn more about Part 1 of the collection series, "Things to Know Before You Grow."
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VIDEO
Prep, Plant, Bloom! How to Plant a Dahlia Tuber
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
1h 30m
•
Grades 3 - 8
Video
Prep, Plant, Bloom! How to Plant a Dahlia Tuber
By Farm to Table Kids
3 - 8
1h 30m
Let’s dig in! After checking for healthy tubers and learning how they work, it's time to plant! This hands-on lesson will teach students how to properly prep and plant their dahlia tubers. From prepping garden beds to placing the tubers at the proper depth, students will experience the joy and responsibility of kickstarting the growing season. They will also learn why placement, spacing, and soil health are essential for producing strong, beautiful blooms.
This activity is 2 of 5 in the "How to Grow Dahlias" collection from Farm to Table Kids. Visit the collection to view the full set of learning resource and learn more about Part 1 of the collection series, "Things to Know Before You Grow."
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From Bud to Bloom: How to Organically Care For & Harvest Dahlias
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
1h 20m
•
Grades 3 - 8
Video
From Bud to Bloom: How to Organically Care For & Harvest Dahlias
By Farm to Table Kids
3 - 8
1h 20m
Now that your dahlias are planted and thriving, it’s time to learn how to care for them as they grow—and how to harvest them at their peak! In this hands-on lesson, students will explore supporting healthy dahlia plants through watering, pest monitoring, pinching, and staking. Then they’ll learn when and how to harvest dahlias to enjoy long-lasting, vibrant blooms.
This activity is 3 of 5 in the "How to Grow Dahlias" collection from Farm to Table Kids. Visit the collection to view the full set of learning resource and learn more about Part 1 of the collection series, "Things to Know Before You Grow."
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VIDEO
How to Cut Back, Dig Up, Divide & Store Dahlia Tubers Part 1: Buried Treasure – Cut Back & Dig Up Dahlia Tubers
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
1h 30m
•
Grades 3 - 8
Video
How to Cut Back, Dig Up, Divide & Store Dahlia Tubers Part 1: Buried Treasure – Cut Back & Dig Up Dahlia Tubers
By Farm to Table Kids
3 - 8
1h 30m
Students will learn how and when to cut back dahlia plants after frost and safely dig up the tubers for overwintering. Through observation, they’ll track seasonal indicators and begin hands-on harvesting and data collection to prepare tubers for drying.
This activity is 4 of 5 in the "How to Grow Dahlias" collection from Farm to Table Kids. Visit the collection to view the full set of learning resources and learn more about Part 1 of the collection series, "Things to Know Before You Grow."
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VIDEO
How to Cut Back, Dig Up, Divide & Store Dahlia Tubers Part 2: Split & Save – Divide and Store Tubers
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
1h 20m
•
Grades 3 - 8
Video
How to Cut Back, Dig Up, Divide & Store Dahlia Tubers Part 2: Split & Save – Divide and Store Tubers
By Farm to Table Kids
3 - 8
1h 20m
In this activity, students will learn about tuber anatomy after drying and practice safe division techniques. Then, they will examine and document the tubers' healthy eyes, necks, and bodies. Finally, they will prepare the tubers for proper storage based on the climate. This is the second part of a two-part activity.
This activity is 5 of 5 in the "How to Grow Dahlias" collection from Farm to Table Kids. Visit the collection to view the full set of learning resource and learn more about Part 1 of the collection series, "Things to Know Before You Grow."
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Things to Know Before You Grow
STEM • Social and Emotional Awareness • Nature and Wildlife
40 Items
•
Grades 3 - 8
Collection
Things to Know Before You Grow
By
3 - 8
Discover Collection
COLLECTION
How to Grow Dahlias
STEM • Nature and Wildlife
50 Items
•
Grades 3 - 8
Collection
How to Grow Dahlias
By
3 - 8
“How to Grow Dahlias: A Full-Season Garden Guide”
Once your learners know “Things to Know Before You Grow,” it’s time to dig into the garden and get their hands dirty with one of the most beloved and magical plants of all—dahlias! In this joyful, in-depth module, youth follow the full life cycle of a dahlia, from inspecting tubers in spring to harvesting show-stopping blooms, and finally saving those tubers for next season’s magic. Along the way, they’ll learn how to identify healthy tubers, prep and plant with confidence, care for their plants organically, and participate in the fall tradition of cutting back, dividing, and overwintering their garden’s gold.
The “How to Grow Dahlias” collection includes five hands-on lessons and a library of interactive worksheets, journal pages, and planting-day checklists—plus several engaging “how-to” videos from Farmer Steph herself. Whether you’re growing dahlias in a schoolyard bed or in containers on a sunny windowsill, this module turns your classroom into a bloom-filled lab where kids learn to nurture life, track seasonal change, and celebrate every stage of the growing cycle.
By the end of this series, students won’t just grow flowers—they’ll grow confidence, observation skills, and a lifelong appreciation for the natural beauty they helped bring to life.
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