Fall

Fall Family Garden and Nature Activities

Submitted by pauls on Mon, 11/14/2011 - 16:49

By:

Paul Simon, Landscape Architect

For many children, the fall season is one of the most engaging outdoor times of the year. Don’t miss out! Be sure to get your children out of the house and involve them with nature this season.

The Beginning of a Library Garden

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

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.

Plant a Thankful Gardener

Submitted by sarahp on Sun, 10/28/2012 - 21:56

By:

Sarah Pounders

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Download this month's lesson plans:

Pressed Flower Thank-you Notes

Tree ID

Thanking volunteers and sponsors is an important activity for all youth garden programs. Although appreciation for contributions should be shown year round, Thanksgiving, a holiday rooted in the celebration of harvest, is a great time to present your loyal supporters with a special gift to acknowledge their generous donations of time, talents and funds.

Youth Program Spotlight: Growing Power Inc. 2012 Jamba Juice "It's All About the Fruit and Veggies" Grant Winner

Submitted by juliad on Wed, 10/03/2012 - 09:19

By:

Julia Parker-Dickerson, NGA Staff

Right Side Box:

Apply for the Jamba Juice "It's All About the Fruit and Veggies" Grant

Growing Power Chicago Lights Urban Farm is located in the heart of the city of Chicago. Since 2002, Growing Power has worked in collaboration with Chicago’s Fourth Presbyterian Church to facilitate the Chicago Lights Urban Farm.

Youth Program Spotlight: Growing Power Inc.

Submitted by juliad on Wed, 10/03/2012 - 09:19

2012 Jamba Juice "It's All About the Fruit and Veggies"

By:

Julia Parker-Dickerson, NGA Staff

Right Side Box:

Apply for the Jamba Juice "It's All About the Fruit and Veggies" Grant

School Gardens = Natural Playgrounds

Submitted by cynthiad on Mon, 08/13/2012 - 15:07

By:

Cynthia Domenghini, NGA Staff

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Teachers at the K-State Center for Child Development use the produce from the garden to prepare simple dishes with their students. Here’s a recipe for Caprese Salad that is easy to make in a classroom.

Ingredients:

Thick slices of a Ripe Tomato (enough for each child to have at least one)
An equal number of slices of fresh mozzarella cheese
Twice as many leaves of fresh basil
A pinch of salt and pepper
Olive oil

Make sure everyone washes their hands and the work surface prior to touching the food.

Starting at the edge of a serving platter, place a slice of tomato, a basil leaf, a slice of mozzarella and another basil leaf. Continue in that pattern, forming a spiral from the outside in, until all the ingredients have been arranged. The salad should end in the center of the platter. Drizzle the salad with olive oil and sprinkle with black pepper and salt.

Upon arriving at the Center for Child Development (CCD) on the campus of Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, visitors quickly recognize the uniqueness of the facility.

Promoting Environmental Stewardship through Rain Gardens

By:

Ann English for NGA with Cynthia Domenghini, NGA Staff

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How to Design a Rain Garden

This detailed account provides step-by-step instructions for designing, installing, and maintaining a rain garden. Additional content provided to use this as a high school activity. Download How to Design a Rain Garden (PDF) »

Rain Garden at Coolidge High School, Washington DCSchool gardens have a long and successful history with a variety of purposes. Ninety six percent of the 2010-2011 National Gardening Assoc

Get a Fresh Start for Your School Garden

Submitted by cynthiad on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 14:52

By:

Cynthia Domenghini, NGA Staff

Right Side Box:

Fresh Curriculum

Food Day is a nationwide celebration of real food and an effort to improve health, the environment, and America's food system. These important topics are essential to our students' futures. On October 24th, concerned citizens will gather across the nation to learn more and become advocates for local farms and eating healthy. Here are five lessons that can be taught in conjunction with your Food Day celebration or as they fit into your regular curriculum. These lessons are targeted at upper elementary to middle school age students, although they can be altered for younger and older students as well. Through these lessons, students will become informed consumers by learning to follow healthy eating goals and find "real food".

Download Food Day Curriculum.

Ridley High School GardenersA new school year brings the opportunity for new additions and approaches for learning inside and out of the classroom. The anticipation of summer can often leave the school garden neglected at the end of the school year, as assemblies and field trips occupy the schedule.

Harvesting Sunflower Seeds

Submitted by pauls on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 14:56

The Ultimate Back-to-School Snack

By:

Rose Judd Murray

If your house looks like mine your clutter is a direct result of the inevitable back-to-school rituals. I have a pile of last year’s clothes ready to be handed down to the next child sitting in the laundry room, new backpacks in a heap by the door and stacks of school forms that still need to be completed. Amid the weather-beaten swimsuits that line the bathroom counters, lies the heavy thought that another summer has come and gone. I’m not quite ready to let it go.