Building the Raised Planters for the Edible Learning Lab Our raised planters in the Edible Learning Lab are custom designed for our specific needs. We use short legs so our younger students have good access to the planters. We recommend between 24″ and 30″ for the leg height. We also use shallow planters using 2×8 …Read More about Building the Raised Planters
garden
How to Identify Peak Ripeness
Produce generally available to us at the local big-box grocery store is anything but “peak ripeness”. Most fruits and vegetables are picked early so that they ripen while in transit from another country or at best the other side of the US. Others are picked early and forced to ripen by artificial means, greatly impacting the flavor …Read More about How to Identify Peak Ripeness
The Importance of Plant Spacing
Just like animals in an environment, plants compete for the resources they need in the given space. In your garden, if there is not enough space between plants then resources like nutrients, water and light are squeezed out or over consumed and the plants can suffer. Improper spacing can lead to slow plant growth, low …Read More about The Importance of Plant Spacing
From Table to Garden
By now I’m pretty sure we’re all on board with the idea of reducing our waste, especially when it comes it food scraps. I mean, composting is so easy and provides such a better alternative to adding to the landfill it’s kind of a no-brainer, right? But finished compost takes a while and your garden …Read More about From Table to Garden
When to Water Plants
Water is vital to a plant’s existence. The average garden plant is around 90% water and that water plays a pivotal role in just about every biological and physiological function in that plant. Water aids the process of photosynthesis, it works as a solvent to move nutrients throughout the plant’s system, it’s a medium for …Read More about When to Water Plants
10 Reasons to Grow Your Own Food
Those raised in more rural communities might find it strange that anyone might need “reasons” to grow their own food. In urban settings where grocery stores and markets are far more prolific than gardens and farms, the conversation seems more appropriate, “Why should we grow our own food?” It’s easy, right, you can just …Read More about 10 Reasons to Grow Your Own Food
9 Reasons Why You Should Compost
How many of you still need convincing? Creating a compost pile at home is an easy and effective way to reduce our impact on the environment and use our resources wisely. Even if you’re not using it in a garden, it still makes more sense to compost than to continue to feed your trash habit. …Read More about 9 Reasons Why You Should Compost
Steader Letter #42: Onions in the Garden
Several weeks ago now I picked up some bunching onions from the Simple Farm and planted them in pots (well, I ate some of them…) to see if I could get some of my own. They did exceptionally well, growing several inches in just the first week. I did a little research on them and …Read More about Steader Letter #42: Onions in the Garden