A Few Ideas for Implementing Food Rules

Michael Pollan's new book is hitting the shelves offering simple advice for those looking for a better way to eat and think about their food. But you confess that while edible landscaping is appealing you really do like your lawn. And you don't know the first thing about starting seeds, and aren't so fond of getting dirty. A Project Grow garden plot sounds good (accepting applications now!), but that goes back to that dirty thing again. Yet, garden-fresh vegetables, flowers and herbs are a favorite.

What to do?

The Michigan Availability Guide quite nicely lists what is in season when in our fair state. Vegetables and fruits are both listed on this handy (and attractive!) guide that could easily be tacked up on the refrigerator.

Join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and get fresh vegetables each week. Most farms also offer tasty recipes to go with the vegetables, as well as fun events at the farm. Fresh food plus a fun weekend outing a few times a year - is that perfect or what?

Visit the farmer's market and choose a variety of vegetables, fruits, flowers, herbs, breads, meats, and so much more from a cornucopia of vendors. The added bonus of this (like the CSA) is that you get to talk to the grower/producer and you know exactly where your money is going. (The Farmer's Marketer also offers a weekly list of what's available at the market to help with planning.)

Attend a local food event and see what's happening including the upcoming Local Food Summit. Meet other folks interested in exploring food and gardening, have a little and who knows? Maybe getting dirty won't seem so bad after all...

Consider volunteering at Project Grow to continue a strong tradition of community gardening, and learn loads. Plus, getting to know gardeners means they share the summer's bounty!

New Community Garden Site Available in Ann Arbor

Hunt Park is home to a new Project Grow Community Garden site available this summer to gardeners. Strong support of the neighbors and the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Department helped make this new site possible.

Julie Roth, the Hunt Park Steward who had already worked with Natural Area Preservation (NAP) and neighbors on work days to plant some new trees and perennials helped bring the issue to neighbors who responded enthusiastically. According to Roth, “I think the gardens will bring a stronger sense of community, more neighborhood sense of investment in and ownership of the park, and of course even more visual interest.  They are being placed in a very underutilized, flat and open area behind the tennis courts.”

“We have worked long and hard with the Parks Department to get gardens open in park areas, especially where the neighbors have approached us about opening a garden like they did at Hunt Park,” said Melissa Kesterson, Executive Director of Project Grow. Other parks where community garden sites exist include Buhr Park, Greenview Park, and County Farm Park.

The addition of this site brings the total number of community garden locations up to thirteen throughout Ann Arbor. Gardeners come in all shapes and sizes, but space can be at a premium. Project Grow through its sliding-scale fees, classes, and supportive network of experienced gardeners – staff and volunteers – makes it possible for families and individuals to foster their green thumbs.

Plots vary in size while water, tools, and a notice board are available at each site. A site coordinator manages each garden site and answers questions and offers help when needed. To see the garden sites, maps, and download an application visit our website and click on Community Gardens. Hard copy applications are available in the Project Grow newsletter or by contacting the office directly at 734-996-3169.

Five Ways to Say I Love You (and that Garden!)

Here are five nifty gardening ways to tell someone how much you care about them, or to give yourself a little hit of love!

1. Purchase seed packets of flowers you'd like to give that person.
Bouquets are beautiful, there is not a speck of doubt about that, but a packet of seeds ensures a full season of showing your affection. Everything from sunflower seeds to cosmos to daisies will make a bright spot in the garden for months to come. How about Grandpa Ott's Morning Glories or some edible flowers?

2. Offer a pot of forced spring bulbs like daffodils, tulips, crocuses or hyacinths.
While February is a beautiful month, it's also nice to see that spot of color on the desk or table to greet each day. Lots of local stores, like Downtown Home and Garden or Chelsea Flower Shop, have a terrific selection. And the bulbs can be planted outside to bloom again and again for years to come!

3. Take a gardening class together!
Project Grow offers a bundle of great classes covering everything from keeping your own bees in the backyard to the basics of organic gardening to landscaping with native plants. Local experts share their knowledge to get you and your garden off to a solid start.

4. Nothing says love like an heirloom tomato.
Ok, maybe that's just us, but those heirloom veggies are brilliant in color and taste. Imagine a Green Zebra or Hungarian Heart Valentine - unique coloring and so tasty you won't believe it! (Email us to find out about the Project Grow seed collection or take a class on heirloom vegetables!)

5. Garden together.
Imagine spending beautiful summer evenings working together in your Project Grow garden. Birds sing their final songs of the day while snacking on mosquitoes before they get to you, and the sky is a brilliant show of orange and purple as you pull the last weeds and load up on the harvest for dinner. Now, that sounds romantic...

Garden Applications Now Available!

It's hard to believe with all that snow and cold, but it's time to start thinking about your Project Grow garden plot! Applications are now being accepted for the 2009 growing season, and we recommend settling in to get it filled out. Grab a hot cup of something, and ignore the snow outside for a moment while you peruse the maps and garden descriptions, read about the programs we offer, upcoming classes, and plan on joining us to grow all sorts of goodies.

Looking for inspiration on what to grow? Check out Project Grow's Flickr page, and some seed catalogs, too. Here's a few suggestions, but we'd love to add your favorites to our list, too! Just let us know.

Seed Savers Exchange - a wide variety of heirloom seeds and probably one of the best garlic selections going.

Renee's Garden - a good selection of mixes - including flowers and vegetable-flower trios - these seeds are also available around town at stores like Downtown Home and Garden

Kitchen Garden Seeds - another interesting selection of seeds, tools, and ideas.