Have you been thinking about growing a family garden but just aren't sure where to start? This was the meeting for you!This week we heard from Wake County Master Gardeners Leah Dail and Robin about how to start gardening with our children. Gardening encourages children to eat healthy food, gets them physically active, and teaches a variety of different subjects like math and science! Below are some tips mentioned during the meeting and the spreadsheets they provided on when to plant certain items.
- Try planning a themed garden like pizza, salsa, or colors to get your child excited about gardening! Marbles Kids Museum has a few ideas, as well as the following website.
- When finding your garden location, sunlight is important! Aim for a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. 8-10 hours is ideal. Southern exposure is recommended if possible.
- If you have a heavy clay soil add compost to balance the PH levels. You can make your own compost by bagging up your leaves in the fall and then using them in the spring on your garden!
- If you have a sandy soil add lime!
- Radishes are a great first food to plant since it only takes 29 days to fully mature! Instant gratification for the kids will get them excited!
- Wake county has free soil testing from April 1st to November 30th. You just need to pick up a box, add a sample of your soil, and send it in and they will get back with you by email. This report will include the type of fertilizer recommended for your space.
- Once your garden is planted you will need to make sure it receives at least 1 inch of water a week. Container gardens will need to be watered every day. Use a soaker hose to water at the root of the plant. Spraying all of the plant will lead to diseases and will cause more weeds to grow.
- Mulch will keep down the growth of weeds. Herbicides are not recommended. However, neem oil can be used for fungus and it is all organic.
- For fall/spring planting try carrots, kale, spinach, peas, collards, and lettuce.
- For summer planting try pole beans, cucumbers, corn, squash, tomatoes, peppers, and egg plant.
- Checkout the Home Vegetable Gardening Bulletin at http://content.ces.ncsu.edu/home-vegetable-gardening for more information!
You can contact Wake County Master gardeners by phone or email with any questions you may have! They will research the answer and get back with you as soon as possible.
This week our sponsor was Amenie Schweizer from DoTERRA!
Amenie's passion is healing work and supporting others on a journey of health and wellness. She is an AADP certified holistic health practitioner, BBC certified life coach, certified healing touch practitioner, and Reiki Master teacher. The use of essential oils was a perfect compliment to each of these healing modalities and she considers doTERRA as the best.
Checkout her website for more information!
Our MOPS Whole Group playdate scheduled for next Tuesday, March 29th, at 10am at Abbott's Creek Park. You can RSVP to the facebook event HERE If you are interested in joining our MOPS leadership team next year, please join us at our monthly leadership meeting on April 5th from 9:30 - 11:30am at Crossroads. Childcare is provided. Contribute to our First Choice Pregnancy Center client spa gift bags by bringing your items to the next MOPS meeting on April 12th. You can see a list of needed items and sign up with what you will be bringing HERE
Join us on April 12th for our next MOPS meeting! We will be having a lovely discussion time together and having our annual MOPS SWAP! Bring in any items from your home you would like to get rid of, including home goods, baby care items, or clothes. You will be able to "shop" the items brought in and you may find some treasures! All items left behind will be donated to the Crossroads Thrift Store. We may also have some time for each small group to visit the thrift store during the meeting.
Danielle's small group will be responsible for bringing brunch. Please sign up HERE to specify what items you will be bringing!
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