There is not better time in human history to find great seed collections for your garden. I recommend starting with simply varieties. KISS (keep it simple stupid) is how we need to garden. If it gets complicated, folks will lose interest, and then you will end up with a big eye sore (garden patch with only weeds) if you don’t keep it simple.
Generally, I like to provide my students with a budget. $250-300 for seeds is about right. I like to provide students with a selection of seed websites, research varieties, and let them build proposals for what is to be purchased. You can build a standardized proposal sheet(teacher made), or have them create their own. I have previously allowed students to create proposals within budgetary constraints for robotics projects. They vote for the projects, and then we order. It creates terrific buy-in.
Please understand that this takes time. Great learning takes time. Provide them with plenty of time to explore, to write, and to think. As a bonus, this type of writing hits both informational and persuasive genres. I get a lot of mileage from projects like this, so don’t rush. Experiential learning is building connections in their brains. Give them some room, and let them learn. This is one of those times where student learning can be self driven. Every level of Bloom’s Taxonomy will be covered.
The following websites are my own “go-to” sites for buying seeds and plants. I tend to buy seeds for things which don’t need to be started early. For items which need to be started early, I buy plants such as tomatoes and peppers.
https://www.southernexposure.com
https://www.mainepotatolady.com
ProTip: If you work at it, you can find some seed providers who are more than willing to provide school gardens with seed supplies. If you are really bold, write a grant. Even better, find a community stakeholder who can help. I generally refrain from asking garden centers. Why? They hate to turn down students, but it gets financially difficult for them to supply free stuff to lots of schools. What you really want to find is a someone in your school district who is willing to contribute their money to helping buy seeds.
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