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Cylinder Gardening

Submitted by sarahp on Mon, 02/25/2013 - 00:52
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By: 
Sarah Pounders
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Download the Cylinder Gardening Lesson for more details.

A big gardening program…in a little garden space. Cylinder Gardening uses bottomless cylinders (1/2 of a 5 gallon bucket) as small, individual gardens for growing vegetables. Perfect for schools with limited growing space and poor soil, cylinder gardens require little land and minimal pre-gardening preparation or experience. Once the cylinders are filled and planted, the only labor is minor maintenance, watering and harvesting. Recommended plant varieties mature from seed in 30 to 90 days to fit within one school semester.

Preservation Techniques

Submitted by RoseJM on Thu, 09/13/2012 - 14:53
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Freezing Sweet Corn
By: 
Rose Judd-Murray
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For more information about preservation techniques and recipes visit these recommended websites:

September is a critical month for harvesting fruits and vegetables—at the peak of their taste and ripeness. One of the most important decisions is how quickly do you want to eat your produce? Many gardeners choose to eat in season, while others choose to preserve some of it for winter months.

The Kitchen [Community] Learning Gardens

Submitted by sarahp on Thu, 09/13/2012 - 01:10
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By: 
Jaime Zaplatosch
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  • One of seven kids who enter kindergarten is obese.
  • The Journal of the American Dietetic Association published a study finding sixth-grade students involved in a garden-based nutrition education program increased their fruit and vegetable consumption by 2.5 servings per day, more than doubling their overall fruit and vegetable consumption. McAleese JD, Rankin LL. Garden-based nutrition education affects fruit and vegetable consumption in sixth-grade adolescents. J Am Diet Assoc. 2007;107:662-665.

Designed as an educational tool to inspire spontaneous play by children and create an attractive outdoor classroom for teachers, the non-profit The Kitchen [Community] developed an innovative raised bed system known as Learning Gardens to combat obesity at schools around the U.S. “Our hope is that the Learning Gardens will give children an understanding of food, healthy eating, and environmental stewardship through lesson plans and activities that tie into the existing school curriculum,” says Kimbal Musk, co-founder of The Kitchen [Community].

Know Your Food

Submitted by cynthiad on Mon, 08/13/2012 - 16:05
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By: 
Cynthia Domenghini, NGA Staff
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The 2012 Food Day School Curriculum was designed for educators as a Food Day resource that can be used in the classroom or to increase your own knowledge about what it means to Eat Real: Download the 2012 Food Day School Curriculum

Many times gardening is promoted as a way to teach youth where their food comes from.

Many times gardening is promoted as a way to teach youth where their food comes from. This phrase, “know where your food comes from,” is one that has received much attention and rightfully so.

Looking for Opportunities to Grow

Submitted by cynthiad on Mon, 07/16/2012 - 11:10
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By: 
Becky Wivagg with Cynthia Domenghini, NGA Staff
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Looking for Activites to Help Youth Grow?

Download these free attachments and get your students outside!

Discover a Rain Garden (PDF) »
Discover a Sensory Garden (PDF) »

When faced with numerous challenges, probation officers at Rockwall County Juvenile Services have decided to teach their youth to grow.

  • Read more

    • Growing BIG in the Great Outdoors

    Submitted by cynthiad on Tue, 02/28/2012 - 10:12
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    By: 
    Cynthia Domenghini, NGA Staff
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    Bonnie Plants’ Third Grade Cabbage Program is a free program offered to third grade classrooms nationwide. The purpose is to support youth to eat healthy and be garden advocates. To support this purpose, Bonnie Plants offers resources online to help students grow their cabbage. In addition, lesson ideas and recipes are provided along with help for teachers and parents. Visit the Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program website for more details about registration.

    You can also view a complete list of the Third Grade Cabbage Program scholarship winners for 2011 for each state. 

    Being outside has so much to offer; whether you are a gardener or not, there is a place for you in the Great Outdoors. Each year, thousands of third graders nationwide find a special place outside by participating in a program which challenges them to grow an oversized cabbage.

    Planting a Windowsill Herb Garden

    Submitted by pauls on Thu, 02/16/2012 - 04:37
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    By: 
    Paul Simon, Landscape Architect
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    Tips for Kids

    1. Learn what conditions each herb prefers. For example, basil prefers warmth, while sage and rosemary like cooler temperatures. Click Here to review additional plant care guides for herbs.
    2. Pinch back branching plants, such as basil, to keep them shrubby rather than leggy.
    3. Choose compact or dwarf varieties.
    4. Leaves receiving enough light will be thick and normal in size. Which window in your house receives at least 5 to 6 hours of daily sunlight?  Keep in mind that insufficient light results in thin, small leaves.
    5. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Pressing your finger into the top inch of potting mix is a good way to check for soil moisture.

    Dill can look like fireworks!Growing herbs indoors on a sunny windowsill can provide a convenient source of fresh basil, dill, rosemary,

    The Beginning of a Library Garden

    Submitted by cynthiad on Tue, 10/11/2011 - 10:54
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    By: 
    Cynthia Domenghini, NGA Staff
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    NGA's Own LibraryGardens.org

    Libraries have a unique opportunity to provide a visual connection between literature and nature. Grants are available to support library gardens, but often require someone with a vision. National Gardening Association offers assistance in this area. Whether you’re interested in developing a particular theme garden or a garden that encompasses a variety of books, our professional staff of landscape architects, horticulturists and educators can help you develop your vision. Visit Library Gardens for more information about how we can design your library garden which will in turn help you as your seek support for funding the installation of this space.

    The Village of Plain City Garden features several animal topiaries named after classic authors.In an effort to preserve the historic Village of Plain City, Ohio, local gardeners and members of the county Master Gardener program pulled their resources to establish a landmark for the town.

    Salsa Garden

    Submitted by sarahp on Thu, 04/25/2013 - 00:04
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    By: 
    Sarah Pounders
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    Download the Gro1000 "Grow a Salsa Garden" Workbook

    Growing a salsa garden is an easy and delicious way to spotlight cultural history and teach about nutritious foods.

    Voots® "Get Kids Growing" Garden Grants

    Submitted by juliad on Fri, 03/15/2013 - 14:53
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    By: 
    NGA Staff
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    Sponsor

    We love fruits and vegetables! NEW Voots® kids supplements are made from Vitamin C and a blend of 11 real fruits and veggies.† Voots® Veggie-Fruit Tarts are the latest product introduction from Pharmavite LLC, a trusted manufacturer of high-quality vitamins for more than 40 years under the Nature Made brand. For more information, please visit Voots.com.

    †Voots® supplements contain a 550mg blend of 11 fruits and vegetables. Voots® supplements are not intended to replace your daily intake of fruits and vegetables, which are important sources of fiber and additional nutrients.

    Voots® Veggie-Fruit Tarts and Kidsgardening.org in Partnership with Celebrity Mom Christina Milian Hosted “Get Kids Growing” Interactive Gardening Workshop on Saturday March 9

    Kids Learned Importance of Having Fruits and Veggies in Their Diets by Planting Their Own Carrots and Tomatoes

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    Last updated on 05/24/2013