A.G.R.I.-Tools
Welcome to G.O.A.L.S.
Grow sustainable practices and knowledge. Optimize resource use and minimize waste. Advocate for eco-friendly farming techniques. Learn continually about environmental impacts. Share innovative solutions.
With this, students can focus on their G.O.A.L.S. to contribute positively to sustainable agriculture!
The G.O.A.L.S. framework focuses on creating a holistic and impactful learning experience using household equipment accessible to them. Grow sustainable practices by teaching students to use everyday items like egg cartons and plastic bottles as seed starters. Optimize resource use by creating compost from kitchen scraps and collecting rainwater in buckets. Advocate for eco-friendly practices by sharing knowledge through simple tutorials and presentations. Learn continuously by exploring online resources and experimenting with household items. Share innovative solutions and success stories on social media to inspire others. By following these G.O.A.L.S., students can actively engage in sustainable farming, develop valuable skills, and positively impact the environment, all from the comfort of their homes.
PLANTING CHILI SEEDS
MATERIALS
  • Egg cartons or yogurt cups
  • Plastic bottles or containers
  • Kitchen scraps for compost (e.g., fruit peels, coffee grounds, eggshells)
  • Bucket for collecting rainwater
  • Soil
  • Chili pepper seeds
  • Water
STEPS
1. Prepare Seed Starters:
  • Take egg cartons or yogurt cups and fill them with soil. These will serve as your seed starters.
2. Plant Seeds:
  • Place chili pepper seeds about 1/4 inch deep in the soil of each compartment of the egg carton or yogurt cup. Cover the seeds lightly with more soil.
3. Water the Seeds:
  • Use rainwater collected in a bucket or tap water to gently water the seeds. Ensure the soil is moist but not waterlogged.
4. Create a Mini Greenhouse:
  • Cut the top off a plastic bottle and place it over the seed starters. This helps create a warm, humid environment for the seeds to germinate.
5. Place in a Sunny Spot:
  • Put the seed starters in a sunny spot, such as a windowsill, to ensure they get enough light.
6. Maintain Moisture:
  • Keep the soil consistently moist by watering as needed. Be careful not to overwater.
7. Transplanting:
  • Once the seedlings are a few inches tall and have developed a couple of true leaves, they are ready to be transplanted.
  • Fill larger containers or pots with soil. If using recycled materials, ensure they have drainage holes at the bottom.
8. Prepare Compost:
  • Create your own compost using kitchen scraps like fruit peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells. Mix this compost into the soil to enrich it with nutrients.
9. Transplant Seedlings:
  • Carefully transplant the seedlings into the prepared containers. Plant them at the same depth they were in the seed starters.
10. Water and Care:
  • Water the transplanted seedlings using collected rainwater or tap water. Keep them in a sunny spot and water regularly to maintain soil moisture.
11. Monitor Growth:
  • Continue to care for the chili plants by monitoring their growth, ensuring they receive enough sunlight, and keeping the soil moist.
12.
Harvest:
  • Once the chili peppers are fully grown and have reached the desired size and color, they are ready to be harvested. Simply cut the peppers off the plant with a pair of scissors or pruning shears.
PLANTING CALAMANSI
MATERIALS
  • Egg cartons or yogurt cups
  • Plastic bottles or containers
  • Kitchen scraps for compost (e.g., fruit peels, coffee grounds, eggshells)
  • Bucket for collecting rainwater
  • Soil
  • Calamansi seeds
  • Water
STEPS
1. Prepare Compost:
  • Start by composting your kitchen scraps. Place fruit peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells in a compost bin or pile. Allow them to decompose for a few weeks to create nutrient-rich compost.
  • Turn the compost regularly to speed up the process and ensure even decomposition.
2. Collect Rainwater:
  • Use a bucket to collect rainwater from your roof or other surfaces. This helps conserve water and provides natural hydration for your plants.
3. Create Seedling Pots:
  • Egg Cartons: Cut the egg carton into individual cups. These will serve as biodegradable seedling pots.
  • Yogurt Cups: Clean the yogurt cups and poke small drainage holes in the bottom.
4. Prepare Soil Mix:
  • Mix your compost with garden soil in a 1:1 ratio. This provides a nutrient-rich medium for your calamansi seeds.
5. Plant Seeds:
  • Fill the egg carton cups or yogurt cups with the soil mix.
  • Plant 2-3 calamansi seeds in each cup, about 1/2 inch deep.
  • Lightly cover the seeds with soil and gently pat down.
6. Water the Seeds:
  • Use rainwater to moisten the soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
  • Place the cups in a warm, shaded spot, like a windowsill, where they can receive indirect sunlight.
7. Germination:
  • Calamansi seeds typically take 1-2 weeks to germinate. Ensure the soil remains moist during this period.
8. Transplant Seedlings:
  • Once the seedlings grow 2-3 inches tall and develop true leaves, they are ready to be transplanted.
  • Plastic Bottles: Cut the tops off plastic bottles to create planters. Poke drainage holes in the bottom.
  • Fill the bottles with the soil mix.
  • Carefully transplant the seedlings into the bottles, keeping the root ball intact.
9. Ongoing Care:
  • Water the plants regularly using rainwater.
  • Ensure they receive at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily.
  • Mulch around the plants with organic material to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
  • Fertilize monthly with organic compost or natural fertilizer.
10. Maintenance and Harvesting:
  • Prune any damaged or diseased leaves to promote healthy growth.
  • Calamansi trees take several years to produce fruit, but with patience and care, you'll be able to harvest delicious calamansi.
PLANTING PAPAYA
MATERIALS
  • Egg cartons or yogurt cups
  • Plastic bottles or containers
  • Kitchen scraps for compost (e.g., fruit peels, coffee grounds, eggshells)
  • Bucket for collecting rainwater
  • Soil
  • Papaya seeds
  • Water
STEPS
1. Prepare Compost:
  • Start by composting your kitchen scraps. Place fruit peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells in a compost bin or pile. Allow them to decompose for a few weeks to create nutrient-rich compost.
  • Turn the compost regularly to speed up the process and ensure even decomposition.
2. Create Seedling Pots:
  • Cut the egg carton into individual cups. These will serve as biodegradable seedling pots.
  • Clean the yogurt cups and poke small drainage holes in the bottom.
3. Prepare Soil Mix:
  • Mix your compost with garden soil in a 1:1 ratio. This provides a nutrient-rich medium for your papaya seeds.
4. Extract and Prepare Seeds:
  • Scoop out the seeds from a ripe papaya and clean them to remove any remaining fruit pulp.
  • Lay the seeds on a paper towel and let them dry for a day or two.
5. Plant Seeds:
  • Fill the egg carton cups or yogurt cups with the soil mix.
  • Plant 2-3 papaya seeds in each cup, about 1/2 inch deep.
  • Lightly cover the seeds with soil and gently pat down.
6. Water the Seeds:
  • Use rainwater to moisten the soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
  • Place the cups in a warm, sunny spot, like a windowsill, where they can receive plenty of sunlight.
  • Papaya seeds typically take 2-3 weeks to germinate. Ensure the soil remains moist during this period.
7. Transplant Seedlings:
  • Once the seedlings grow 4-6 inches tall and develop several sets of leaves, they are ready to be transplanted.
  • Cut the tops off plastic bottles to create planters. Poke drainage holes in the bottom.
  • Fill the bottles with the soil mix.
  • Carefully transplant the seedlings into the bottles, keeping the root ball intact.
8. Ongoing Care:
  • Water the plants regularly using rainwater.
  • Ensure they receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
  • Mulch around the plants with organic material to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
  • Fertilize monthly with organic compost or natural fertilizer.
9. Maintenance and Harvesting:
  • Prune any damaged or diseased leaves to promote healthy growth.
  • Papaya trees can start producing fruit within 6-12 months, depending on the growing conditions. Harvest the ripe papayas when they turn yellow and give slightly to pressure.
Thank You for Planting!
We're so glad you've been exploring sustainable gardening with the resources on our website. Every seed you plant is a step towards a greener future.
Your commitment to growing your own food and reducing waste is truly inspiring. Keep up the great work!