Local Food Week in Michigan

Whether your garden sits on a roof, in a series of pots, or at one of our community garden sites you can celebrate Local Foods Week in Michigan! Running from Sunday, May 16th through Saturday, May 22nd, Local Foods Week is an opportunity to find, enjoy, and celebrate some of the best in local foods Michigan has to offer.

Here are a few of our favorite ideas:

Plant a row for the hungry. A great way to celebrate local food is to decide to share it, and planting a row for the hungry is one of the best ways to do that. Whether or not you've signed up for the potato pledge, you can pick up a few extra plants at the Project Grow plant sale and know those little gems will help a neighbor. Now, how cool is that?

Head to the farmer's market. One of the most fun ways out there to celebrate local food is a trip to the farmers market. Meet the growers and producers that are just around the corner or right in your backyard, sample their wares, and take home a few favorites.

Consider growing some of your own. Think of this as the year to finally plant that garden, sneak a few tomato or basil plants in the flowerbed out front to start that edible landscape you've always been thinking of, or do a combo pot of edible flowers, herbs, and greens!

Take a local farm tour and see what's out there. SIMBY (Sustainability in My Back Yard) Agritours is another fun way to meet growers and producers in person, but this time on the farm. Check out their schedule of upcoming tours and hop on along!

Join a CSA. Fresh vegetables grown locally by folks on the ground - literally - of the local food movement. Another one of the best and easiest ways to be part of a local food movement find a comprehensive guide at The Farmer's Marketer.

Volunteer with Project Grow. You can't get much more local than a community garden. Check out ways you can lend a hand and be part of the fun!

Got more ideas? Let us know and we'll be more than glad to share them with our readers!

Planting a Few Ideas

These rainy days can make it tricky to stay out of the garden, to say the least, so here are a few ideas to put your mind in the garden until your hands and trowel can get there, too.

The Perennial Care Manual: A Plant by Plant Guide: What to Do and When to Do It by Nancy Ondra was recently reviewed over at Cold Climate Gardening. If you're thinking about planting perennials (and who isn't at least giving it a fleeting thought in spring?) this is the book to crack before heading to the nursery. Or right after you get back with that impulse buy, which I'd also like to know who in spring has not fallen prey to?

While thinking about perennials, give some additional thought to incorporating native plants. Beneficials absolutely adore native plants, and since they're well adapted to the region (being native and all) they'll require less water and a little less maintenance over time. Not sure where to start? Check out the local Wild Ones Chapter to talk to professionals and others trying out different ideas, too!

And don't forget to stop by the Project Grow Plant Sale this weekend to match tasty vegetables starts with that assortment of perennials!

Project Grow Plant Sale

Saturday, May 15th and Sunday, May 16th

Saturday, May 22nd

8am - 2pm

People's Food Coop

Plant Sale Coming Up!

It's time to give serious thought to what will go in this year's garden. We've talked before about seeds, planning tools, and even about experimenting with a virtual garden to see what might happen. Now's the time to put that research into action to start taking home harvests like the one pictured here!

Join us Saturday, May 15th and Sunday, May 16th in front of The People's Coop talking plants, gardening, and all sorts of other fun green stuff! We'll be there once more on Saturday, May 22nd for one more chance at some terrific tomatoes, peppers, basils, and great conversation!

Project Grow Annual Plant Sale

Saturday, May 15th

Sunday, May 16th

Saturday, May 22nd

8am - 2pm

People's Food Coop

Slow Food Huron Valley Ark of Taste Dinner

We've talked about scrumptious fungus, heirloom potatoes, and classes to help decide what to grow in the garden, but here's a chance to try some of those great local foods for yourself. Think of it as research for the garden or next trip to the Farmer's Market!

The Ark of Taste Dinner is a five course meal (plan for an elastic waistband!) that will knock your socks off. By promoting these foods to your taste buds, the Ark of Taste and Slow Food (check out the Huron Valley chapter, too!) raises the chances of keeping them growing for future generations. Wander over to the Grange Kitchen and Bar to sample some of this amazing fare and see what your taste buds would plant!

Ark of Taste Dinner

Thursday, April 22nd

7pm - 10pm

Grange Kitchen and Bar

118 West Liberty

Ann Arbor, MI 48104

734-995-2107

$65/per person

Reservations required so sign up now!

FDA Wants Your Opinion

The FDA is looking for feedback on a proposed regulation to reduce food-borne illness on fresh produce. Hoping to forge a new way ahead after the food troubles of 2009, the organization is seeking public comment electronically as well as in public meetings before issuing a rule. The organization hopes to hear from a variety of people - growers, producers, and packagers - about this topic and what concerns them most. (It's recommended reading for consumers, too, to find out what a favorite grower or local grocer might need to do to get those favorite greens to the table.)

The deadline to share with the FDA your concerns and thoughts about this important food safety issue is May 24, 2010. These handy instructions will let you see what others are saying and make your voice heard on this important issue.

Comments may also be mailed to:

Division of Dockets Management,

HFA-305, FDA,

5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061,

Rockville, MD, 20852

Savor Seva: Not Just a Benefit for Your Tastebuds

Looking for someone to talk over that garden plan with? Hankering for a taste of Spring? Or just looking for a great meal at one of Ann Arbor's great restaurants?

Then come on out and join fellow gardeners and gardening enthusiasts on Monday, March 29th to compare notes over some of Ann Arbor's best vegetarian fare at Seva Restaurant. And remember, twenty-percent of the evening's proceeds will benefit Project Grow Community Gardens!

Savor Seva

Monday, March 29th

5pm - 9pm

Seva Restaurant

314 East Liberty

Ann Arbor

734-662-1111

Map

Savor Seva with Project Grow!

Spring is the time of year when a gardener begins conjuring up images of all the bounty the summer will have to offer. Seed catalogs lie open on the table and check lists abound of what to get and to grow. The path to the garden is already well worn from short visits to see the first rhubarb sprout, the first crocus, and maybe even to do a little measuring for this year's agenda.

Project Grow and Seva invite you to take a break from all that planning to come on out for an evening of fun and food with fellow gardeners (and eaters!) all in support of Project Grow. What better way to spend a Monday?

Event Details

Savoring Seva

Monday, March 29th

5pm - 9pm

Seva Restaurant

314 East Liberty

Check us out on Facebook, too, for more events, articles, and information!

Backyard Chickens 101

Hankering for fresh eggs? Well, now folks living in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti can now enjoy the company of up to four chickens and all the eggs those lovely ladies will deliver. (Sorry, no roosters.)

Not sure where to start? Well, join us this Saturday, March 20th for A-maizing Chickens! to learn the basics about getting, keeping, supporting, and enjoying hens in an urban environment. Come on out to the Thomason Family Farm where Peter Thomason will share his knowledge and experience in fowl play.

A-maizing Chickens!

Saturday, March 20th

10am - 12pm

211 Woodward, Ypsilanti

Registration Required

$15 class fee

(Sorry! This one is full, but check out our other upcoming classes, too!)

Potato Seeds, Sweet Potatoes, and Sweet Potato Slips

Saturday, April 10

10am - 11:30am

Leslie House at Leslie Science Center

Heirloom Tomatoes and Peppers

Saturday, April 17

10am - 11:30am

Leslie House at Leslie Science Center

Seeds for Cold Weather Places

This post about seeds for a cold climate on Cold Climate Gardening is just terrific. The subsequent discussion in the comments section is also well worth a read. Some great seed sources are listed, as well as things to keep in mind while shopping for seeds.

Keep in mind that heirloom seeds have been chosen and saved for generations in an area or region not just for their fantastic flavors, but because they are well-adapted to that particular climate. Local heirlooms from Project Grow are available at the 2010 Annual Seed Swap on Saturday, February 13th, and can also be found at People's Food Coop, too.

Seed Savers Exchange specializes in heirlooms, and offers lots of good information about where they come from, how they grow, and the flavors they produce.

Garden Faerie also does a fun little seed swap, but you'll have to plan on participating next year. Check out her book - Fun with Winter Seed Sowing - to get a jump start on things, too!

2010 Annual Seed Swap

Saturday, February 13th

10am - 11:30am

Leslie Science and Nature Center

Seed Swap Coming Up!

One of the beautiful things about these early Spring days is the fact that the mailbox starts to fill with seed catalogs. One of the challenging things about all those seed catalogs is making choices. There are always the old favorites, and then there are those enticing new plants that are difficult to resist.

Add to the list of enticing things for this month Project Grow's Annual Seed Swap. Going for nearly ten years, the Seed Swap is offers a real-life seed catalog for perusing. The added bonus is that the grower and collector is on hand to answer any questions and talk about the pros and cons of a particular variety. There will also be a nice selection of Project Grow heirloom seeds available, too, and experienced gardeners to talk them over with, too.

Come on out to find a new favorite, talk with other gardening enthusiasts ranging from the newbie to the super-experienced, and get your garden off to a great start!

P.S. They make a great Valentine's Day gift, too!

Project Grow Annual Seed Swap

Saturday, February 13th

Leslie Science and Nature Center

10am - 11:30am

Tomato Tasting at HomeGrown Festival

Don't forget to come on out to the HomeGrown Festival this Saturday, September 12th. Not only will there be a myriad of tasty local foods there (including Project Grow's brilliant tomato tasting table!), including Michigan wines and beers, but a wide variety of other activities. A chef's demonstration, a Made-in-Michigan store, and a bundle of farmer and fiber producer's will also be on hand.

Stop by our table and sample a fantastic variety of organically grown heirloom varieites of tomatoes to begin planning next year's garden as well as give your tastebuds something to celebrate!

Ann Arbor's HomeGrown Festival

Kerrytown Farmer's Market

5pm - 10pm

Ticket's $4

Reveling in the Season's Bounty

As tomato season approaches, we thought this article from Grist about what to do with the season's bounty worth checking out.

And if you'd like to taste more than a few different varieties of heirloom tomatoes join us for our Eighth (can you believe it's EIGHT?) Annual Tomato Tasting. Bring your tastebuds out for an morning of exercise and fun!

Eighth Annual Tomato Tasting Extravaganza

Saturday, August 22nd

9am - 12pm

Ann Arbor Farmer's Market

For more information on the event or to find out how to get your tomatoes in the mix just drop us a note or call 734-996-3169.

Tomato Tasting Extravaganza: Adventures in Flavor

Heirloom tomatoes are, thankfully, one of the great (and delicious) rediscoveries of our time. Writers like Barbara Kingsolver and Michael Pollan along with local growers like Frog Holler and Wilson's Farm have helped bring these beauties back to our plates and tummies. And local seedsavers like Royer Held have shown us how to preserve them for the future, and shared their enthusiasm for growing these storied varieties. As Wendell Berry says, "Food with a story tastes better."

In celebration of these great folks near and far (and the tomato itself!) we'd like to remind you that this Saturday - August 22nd - is the Eighth Annual Tomato Tasting Extravaganza at the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market. Sample a wide variety of tomatoes - large, small, red, yellow, and green - to find a new favorite and make notes about which one to grow for next year. We'll have folks on hand to talk you through the tasting, and share information about the tomatoes present.

Tomato Tasting Extravaganza

Saturday, August 22nd

Ann Arbor's Famer's Market

8am - 1pm

Interested in volunteering? Drop Leigh Ann a note or give her a ring at 734-996-3169 to come on along!

Interested in volunteering tomatoes? Bring 'em on down to the market labeled and washed (but not cut up, please!) after 8:30am, and we'll add them to the mix.

Work the Counter with Project Grow!

Learn the Secrets of the Market and volunteer with Project Grow at these two fantastic upcoming events! (Ok, we won't make you get up at 4:30am, but you'll still have a terrific time.)

Project Grow's Heirloom Tomato Tasting Extravaganza
Saturday, August 22nd, 8am to 1pm
Ann Arbor Farmer's Market
Join us at the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market to share the joy's of organic heirloom tomatoes. Volunteers will help tasters find the tomato of their dreams, share their enthusiasm for these tasty jewels, and probably find a new favorite to grow for next year.

HomeGrown Festival
Saturday, September 12, 5pm - 10pm
Ann Arbor Farmer's Market
The Second Annual HomeGrown Festival promises to be even more fun than the last, and volunteers are needed to help work the Project Grow table, help with fun food-focused activities for kids, and assist in a second tomato tasting. Come on down and be part of some good old-fashioned local action!

Interested? Drop Leigh Ann a line or give her a call at 734-996-3169, and she'll get you squared away.

Big Community Harvest Tour

What better way to spend a Wednesday evening than wandering from one great garden to another?

Well, as luck would have it the first round of the Big Community Harvest Tour starts rolling this Wednesday. Download a map, tour the sites - including the Edible Avalon gardens - and learn what great work is happening right here in town!

Big Community Harvest Tour

Wednesday, July 22nd 6pm - 9pm

Saturday, August 1st 10am - 1pm

Grab Your Trowel and Tighten Your Laces!

Running Fit, a local running store extraordinaire, is hosting the Third Annual Big House Big Heart Run on Sunday, October 4th. This fun and friendly event is a great way to get outside after a busy morning in the garden, and run around (literally) in support of Project Grow.

Interested in running and organizing support for community gardens? Then grab a trowel and sign up!

From the Front Yard to the Farm

Edible landscaping is all over the news (and this blog), and this article about Will Allen and Milwaukee's Growing Power Farm should offer even more motivation. Allen and Growing PowerFarm have won awards and garnered national attention for growing good food locally and intensively, and making it - the food along with the knowledge of how to grow it - available to local people.

Want to see what kind of farming is happening locally? You're in luck! Come along to the Big Community Harvest Tour and see what good stuff is growing here in Ann Arbor, including Project Grow's work with Avalon Housing at Edible Avalon. Download the map and take these self-guided tours, and we also recommend bringing a notebook to plot your own little farm once you get back home!

Big Community Harvest Garden Tour

Wednesday, July 22nd, 6pm - 9pm

Saturday, August 1st, 10am - 1pm

Calendula - Not Just for Salad!

The bright petals of calendula often grace the garden, and subsequently make a summer salad tempting even to the most vegetable wary nibbler. The stickiness of calendula also makes it a great ingredient for salves and lotions.

Caryn Simon, local doula, is offering two classes on turning those bright blossoms into soothing salves for garden weary hands.

Fresh Calendula Salve Making Class

Saturday, July 11th and Saturday, July 25th

Saturday, August 8th and Saturday, August 22nd

Register by email or call Caryn at 734.646.1351 quick! Space is limited.

Bountiful Garden Volunteer Opportunities

The growing season is in full swing at Project Grow, and opportunities (like weeds but better!) absolutely abound at this busy time. A sampling of possibilities are listed below, and we can tell you even more at our upcoming Volunteer Orientation. Leigh Ann Phillips-Knope, Assistant Director for Project Grow offers a short, sweet, and action-packed hour to let you know how you can get involved and be part of the fun this season!

Project Grow Volunteer Orientation

Tuesday, July 14th 6pm - 7pm

The Nature House,

Leslie Science and Nature Center

1831 Traver Road

RSVP Leigh Ann by email or call 734-996-3169. See you there!

Food Bank Coordinators

Help gather and share the abundant harvest from Project Grow! Volunteers are needed to collect vegetables from our 15 scattered sites throughout Washtenaw County for Food Gatherers to then distribute.

Garden Site Coordinators for Edible Avalon

A partnership between Project Grow and Avalon Housing, Edible Avalon offers a unique opportunity for low-income tenants to learn gardening skills, build community, and gain greater access to nutritious food. Site coordinators offer hands-on gardening assistance, cooking/food preservation ideas, and support at a garden site 1-2 hours a week. (Extensive gardening background not required.)

Go! Gardening Program

Enrich the lives of elementary school students through a dynamic experiential gardening program at Mitchell Elementary! Gardeners are needed to help maintain the gardens throughout the season. (No experience necessary.) Camp counselors are also needed to assist the Program Coordinator in facilitating lessons on Wednesdays from 9am until 12pm. (Read about this great program and come on out!)

Discovery Gardens

Are you community minded and enjoy working with seniors, children, and gardeners with disabilities? Volunteers are always welcome in our gardens serving these special populations. Join this inspiring gardening community and help raise some good food and have some fun, too!

Gathering Stories/Testimonials

Visit our community gardens and unearth (pun intended!) some of the awed-inspiring stories integral to any good garden. Use your creativity - write a short story or blog post, make a video, create a photo album - to share them with the community.

Design and Technology Support

Are you a computer, website, or design expert looking for ways to put some green in your work? Project Grow is always looking for technological and creative design support to showcase our programs!

Weeds are on the Way

Not the most uplifting title for a post, but with the dawning of spring in the garden come both the plants we love and those we feel, well, less positive about - weeds. Of course, one gardener's weed is another's favorite flower, but that's another story. Despite this relative status, weeds need to be dealt with sooner rather than later. 

This little video from Fine Gardening offers some good commonsense tips that will help control weeds in the garden. Two of the five main points - mulching and spacing plants close together - also help with water conservation!

Need plants to fill in those gaps that a weed could grow in? Don't forget our second plant sale date!

Saturday, May 16th

People's Food Coop

8am - 2pm

Spend time perusing the seedlings, talking with some of our experienced gardeners and growers, and start making your way to a garden full of things you love!