Comprehensive Guide: MSS Tower Garden Deluxe Homeschool Bundle (Florida Edition)!
- Leah Brooks
- Mar 23
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 23
Want a 10-Step Guide that walks you through how to set up your Tower Garden Deluxe Homeschool Bundle 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 Deluxe Homeschool Bundle (AKA "Green Bronx Machine Bundle on the Tower Garden Website). Purchase a Germinator also.
What's Included
Tower Garden FLEX
A variety of starter seeds and supplies, including a germination tray, rockwool cubes, vermiculite, and net pots
Submersible pump
Standard extension kit
Support cage
LED grow lights
Flex dolly
mineral blend (1 gallon of part A and 1 gallon of part B, 1 quart of part A and 1 quart of part B)
pH kit ** (Not available in PR, HI or AK due to shipping restrictions)
*Additional rockwool, net pots and seed packets included free of charge
Do I need an EBF?
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.
Is this available to both PEP and UA kids?
Yes, it is! Both FES-UA and FES-PEP kids are allowed to purchase the Tower Garen on MSS.
Can I put my Tower Garden on my balcony or lanai/porch?
Step 2: Create Your Notebook!
Create your notebook!
Download the following documents:
1) Tower Garden Planning Worksheets if you're growing outdoors.
2) Printable crop guide, which tells you what to plant, when to plant it, and how many seeds to add, for growing outdoors:
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.
If you plan to grow your Tower Garden indoors, jump to the Quick Start Guide to Planning & Purchase Seeds, Seedlings, & Pest Control
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.
If growing outdoors, be sure to follow the printable crop guide and the planning guides that you printed about above! If growing indoors, check out this post!
Purchase these helpful accessories 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 outdoors. Read more about growing strawberries outdoors here.
You can plant strawberries indoors anytime.
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:
Check out the other accessories for outdoor growing HERE.
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!
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