Quick Start Guide: MSS FLEX Tower Garden Outdoors (Florida Edition)!
- Leah Brooks
- Mar 23
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 6
Want a 9-Step Guide that walks you through how to set up your Tower Garden for success?
Let’s get you started right away!
Step by Step....
Step 1: 'Purchase' Supplies off MyScholarShop
Step 2: Create Your Notebook!
Step 3: Watch Videos with Your Child
Step 4: Plan & Purchase Seed, Seedlings, & Pest Control
Step 5: Purchase Strawberry Seeds or Seedlings to grow in the 'baby spots
Step 6: Purchase Accessories from Amazon if you need them
Step 7: Submit Non-MSS Purchases to Step Up for Students for Reimbursement
Step 8: Assemble your Tower Garden FLEX, plant your seeds in the Germinator, and plant your seedlings in the Tower Garden
Step 9: Reach out to Leah With Questions!
Step 10: Join our Facebook Community!
Step 1: 'Purchase' Supplies off MyScholarShop:
Start by 'purchasing' (off MyScholarshop) the Tower Garden FLEX with the Support Cage Bundle and any accessories that you need. Purchase a Germinator also. Check the linked blog posts for details.
Do you want an extension kit? I recommend the Combo Extension Kit or the Baby Greens Extension Kit. Make sure to order more rockwool, too! You'll need it for the Baby Greens Extension Kit.
Are you growing on concrete or another hard surface?
Protect your Tower Garden with a dolly!
Do I need an EBF (Educational Benefit Form)?
No. The Tower Garden is preapproved and on MSS.
Is there a limit to the number I can purchase?
No, but we think that up to (3) Tower Gardens per child is reasonable for growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Don't forget that you can grow indoors, too!
Is this available to both PEP and UA kids?
Yes, it is! FES-UA and FES-PEP kids can purchase the Tower Garden on MSS.
Can I put my Tower Garden on my balcony or lanai/porch?
Yes, no, maybe so!
Read this post about balconies
Read this post about lanais/porches
Step 2: Create Your Notebook!
Create your notebook!
Download the following documents:
2) Printable crop guide, which tells you what to plant, when to plant it, and how many seeds to add:
3) Growing Resource Bundle:
5) School Maintenance Log
Step 3: Watch Videos with Your Child
Watch more videos here!
Step 4: Plan & Purchase Seeds, Seedlings, & Pest Control:
Fill out the Planning Sheets that you printed out during Step 2.
Reach out to Leah if you have questions about what to grow!
Head over to True Garden and purchase a combination of seeds and seedlings.
Use code trueteam10 to save 10% on your purchase!
Why seedlings? Seedlings will give you a quick start and shave off 2-3 weeks of prep time. This can be very helpful if you’re starting late in the season. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and flowers can be more cost-effective to grow from seedlings as they grow and produce for months.
Why seeds? Herbs, lettuces, and greens need to be reseeded every couple of months, and it is straightforward to start from seed with the Germinator. It’s more cost-effective to start these plants from seeds. Plus, since greenhouse-grown plants are always at risk of pests, this reduces the risk of introducing pests into your system.
Be sure to follow the printable crop guide and the planning guides that you printed about above!
Purchase these helpful accessory from True Garden, as desired:
Step 5: Purchase Strawberry Seeds or Seedlings to grow in the 'baby spots'.
Everyone wants to grow strawberries, right?
In Florida, we grow strawberries in the cooler months. Read more about growing strawberries here.
There is room for up to 16 strawberry plants if you have a Combo Extension Kit and 32 strawberry plants if you have a Baby Greens Extension.
True Garden may have plants available. If not, you can purchase bare roots from the supplies I mention in this blog.
Step 6: Purchase Accessories from Amazon if you need them:
Water Filter & Treatment
If you fill your Tower Garden with city water, you’ll need to filter the water to remove chlorine and chloramines. One inexpensive option is this filter:
Step 7: Submit Non-MSS Purchases to Step Up for Students for Reimbursement
SUBMIT CORRECTLY & WITH AN EBF
Submit your receipts in the EMA under:
Instructional Materials ➡️ Elective Supplies ➡️ Garden Supplies
✅Complete and upload the Educational Benefits Form. (Otherwise known as "EBF")
The wording you can use includes:
"Seeds, seedlings, and supplies for my child to grow their Tower Garden"
Keep it simple!
When submitting the water filter, include this document:
Step 8: Assemble your Tower Garden FLEX, plant your seeds in the Germinator, and plant your seedlings in the Tower Garden
ASSEMBLE: Please read my blog here for help in assembling your Tower Garden FLEX.
PLANT: How many seeds do I plant? Check this blog post.
GROW: Read this blog for information about how to use the Germinator.
Step 9: Enjoy your Tower Garden FLEX!
Step 10: Join our Facebook Community!
