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If you’re interested in teaching through food gardens but feel unsure which Oasis program fits your classroom, this episode walks you through the full Oasis suite so you can choose with confidence.

Leila explains the differences between Oasis Classroom, Caja Oasis, and Oasis School, who each program is designed for, and how they support teachers at different stages, from indoor seed growing to full regenerative outdoor gardens.

All Oasis programs are created for grades 3–8 and are designed to run during class time, with curriculum-connected garden learning that integrates science, language, and math outcomes.

The Three Oasis Programs

Oasis Classroom
An indoor growing program where students raise up to 20 varieties of food seedlings using a simple sunny window setup. No outdoor space or grow lights required.
Best for teachers new to school gardening or classrooms without outdoor access.

Caja Oasis
An outdoor garden program using self-watering planters from The Growing Connection. Students grow indoors first, then transplant into planters while learning garden setup, site selection, and seasonal care.
Best for schools ready for an easy, low-maintenance outdoor garden.

Oasis School
A full regenerative garden design and build program using Permaculture principles and techniques. Students design, construct, and plant a long-term outdoor food garden grown from their indoor seedlings.
Best for committed upper-grade programs ready for a comprehensive garden project.

What All Oasis Programs Include

Every Oasis program provides:

• Step-by-step lesson plans
• Student booklets and classroom posters
• Materials and supplies lists
• Weekly planting schedule
• Direct coaching with Leila

Programs run about 1–2 hours per week for 11-12 weeks and are intended to finish about two weeks before the end of the school year.

Recommended Starting Point:

If you’re new to school gardens, Leila recommends beginning with Oasis Classroom. Indoor growing builds skills, confidence, and student success before expanding to outdoor gardens in later years through Caja Oasis or Oasis School.

Enrollment Timeline:

Registration for all three Oasis programs closes at the end of February. A K–2 program and an Earth Day mini-program will be available later in the spring.

If you’re ready to bring meaningful, curriculum-aligned food growing into your teaching, this episode will help you decide which Oasis path fits your classroom best.