How to Read a Seed Packet

The back of a seed packet lists all the information one needs to directly sow seeds in the ground. Let’s go through it item by item with this Cauliflower variety, Early Snowball and Carrot variety, Scarlet Nantes. The Latin name isn’t always given but it’s a good idea to note the family name for rotation […]

School Garden History – Hiram Young

Hiram Young was born a slave in Tennessee in the early 1800s.  After purchasing his freedom as young man, he became famous as a wagon builder during the early trail days and westward expansion…After the Civil War he returned to Independence, MO and started his business again.  During this time frame he built a school […]

10 School Garden Activities for September

Week 1 – Welcome back everyone. Hope you all enjoyed your summer. For those without a school garden who would like to know how to get started please read: How to Start and Maintain a School Garden. For those returning to an existing garden there is much to do. Preparing the beds for seed sowing […]

Tips to Get a School Garden Grant

Grants, fundraisers and donations all come in handy to help our school gardens grow. While the success of donation drives and fundraisers depend to a large extent on people you know and interact with, like parents of students, local merchants and business houses, grants are more formal in nature. They are awarded by either public […]

Summer Harvest – Zucchini Recipes

Its not quite fair that summer harvest begins at the close of school. We got our first cherry tomatoes a week before school ended, but no heirlooms, no corn either. Fortunately some of our school gardens are accessible year round and currently zucchini and squash are plentiful. Try these zucchini/pasta recipes for those who like […]

Week 36 – Spring Harvest and Planting Peanuts

We had out first spring harvest this week: round 8-ball squash the size of tennis balls, dark green zucchinis with flowers still intact and tender green beans that also grew yellow and purple (anything colorful is always a big hit). With only five weeks left in the school year it is too late to start […]