Ultimately, though, this is just a little speedbump at the start of the spring growing season. The snow will be melting very soon and the moisture it leaves behind will help jumpstart the growth of everything green.
We've had some great community gardens sprout in the last few years... e.g., the Bhutanese garden in the Prescott neighborhood and the Crosslines garden in Armourdale along with smaller gardens created by the Strawberry Hill, St. Joseph/St. Benedicts and Cathedral Neighborhood Groups.
Whether tended by the community or a single family, gardens enrich neighborhoods, improve health, benefit the environment and can even help raise property values.
While community gardens are tremendous, everyone can have a patch of fresh fruits and vegetables in their own back yard. Kansas City Community Gardens (KCCG) has everything you need to be successful. Here is some information from a flier they published this spring.
= = = = = = = = =
KCCG has received special funding to help expand and improve gardens in Wyandotte County.
Here's how we can help you with your garden:
Tilling
- For a low cost ($8 - $25.00 depending on the size of your garden) a tilling contractor will come to your backyard or community garden site and till up your garden plot.
- Tilling is done on a first-come, first-served basis and tilling funding is limited. Cali now to have your garden tilled in the spring.
- Tilling service is reserved for households that qualify as low-income and for community groups.
A $2.00 or $10.00 KCCG membership (fee determined by income) entitles you to:
- 10 free packs of seeds
- Free 10lb bag of organic fertilizer or 5Ib bag of standard fertilizer
- Low cost seeds - $.20 or $1.00 per pack (depending on your membership type)
- Low cost plants - $1.00 or $2.00 per 6-pack (depending on your membership type)
- Subscription to KCCG's newsletters, which are full of gardening tips, news from gardens around the KC area and list of events and workshops.
- Garden site visit and evaluation by KCCG staff
- Assistance with garden layout design
- Funding available to construct raised beds
- Garden planting plans and planting assistance
- Low cost gardening resources — straw, tomato cages, etc.
Seed and Plant Distribution and Gardening Workshops in KCK!
You don't have to drive all the way to Swope Park to access KCCG's services. Throughout 2013, KCCG will be signing up people for memberships and selling seeds and plants in KCK. We will also host a variety of different workshops.
All workshops will be held at the Bethany Community Center (1120 Central, Avenue Kansas City, KS 66102).
Workshops and seed and plant distributions are on Mondays. Space is limited. Please call 816-931-3877 to register.
Workshops:
March 25: 6:00-7:30pm
Early Spring Crops Workshop
Give-in to your spring gardening fever and get outside to plant a spring vegetable garden. Learn about
selecting, planting and caring for vegetables that thrive in the cool spring weather.
April 1: 6:00-7:30pm
Basic Vegetable Gardening Workshop
This workshop is helpful for beginning and experienced gardeners. Learn the fundamentals of successful vegetable gardening including: site selection, soil improvement and preparation, garden planning, planting techniques, variety selection, garden maintenance and harvesting.
April 15: 6:00-7:30pm
Raised Bed Gardening Workshop
Discover the many benefits of raised bed gardening. Learn how to construct your own raised beds and how to plant in them for maximum efficiency.
April 29: 6:00-7:30pm
Tomatoes, Peppers and Sweet Potatoes Workshop
Are you overwhelmed by the number of tomato varieties available? Are you confused about heirloom
tomatoes? Do your pepper plants not produce as many peppers as you would like? Are you disappointed when you dig up your sweet potatoes? Come learn how to choose, plant and care for tomatoes, peppers and sweet potatoes.
May 6: 6:00-7:30pm
Water and Mulch Workshop
Water is essential for healthy productive crops. We will talk about rain water catchment systems, water meters, and water conservation. Mulch is a gardener's best friend. Mulch prevents water from evaporating while discouraging weed growth. KCCG will be bringing straw bales to sell.
's
Seed and Plant Distributions:
March 25: 4:30-6:00pm
Cool Season Seed and Plant Distribution
Come by and sign up for your 2013 Kansas City Community Garden Membership while you pick out some cool season crops to plant in your spring garden. We'll have broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, lettuce and herb transplants as well as our full selection of seeds.
April 1: 4:30-6:00pm
Cool Season Seed and Plant Distribution
Come by and sign up for your 2013 Kansas City Community Garden Membership while you pick out some cool season crops to plant in your Spring garden. We'll have broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, lettuce and herb transplants as well as our full selection of seeds.
April 29: 4:30-6:00pm
Warm Season Seed and Plant Distribution
Come by and sign up for your 2013 Kansas City Community Garden Membership while you pick out some warm season crops to plant in your summer garden. We'll have eggplant, sweet and hot peppers, tomatoes and herb transplants as well as our full selection of seeds.
May 6: 4:30-6:00pm
Warm Season Seed and Plant Distribution
Come by and sign up for your 2013 Kansas City Community Garden Membership while you pick out some warm season crops to plant in your summer garden. We'll have eggplant, sweet and hot peppers, tomatoes and herb transplants as well as our full selection of seeds.
For more information, contact KCCG directly at:
Phone: (816) 931-3877
E-mail: andrea@kccg.org
Website: www.kccg.org
~ Brian
bmckiernan@wycokck.org
- or -
Suggestion Box
