Spring Garden Updates - Des Moines School Garden Network
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Amy Joens
Apr 29, 2016, 3:31:18 PM4/29/16
to Des Moines School Garden Network
Hi everyone!
Spring is happening! The things we have been awaiting all winter are finally in our midst. Surely many of you have already begun prepping, plotting, and planting. Below are LOTS of resources for your garden this spring! It's kind of a long update, but it's all great stuff. Please reach out with any questions or needs.
Plant Sales
- Master Gardener Plant Sale
- Full price plants available May 7th and 8th
- Free plants for non-profits and school gardens (whatever is left over) on Saturday, May 14 at 9 am (until plants are gone... get there early!)
- Iowa Food Cooperative Plant Sale
- Thursday, May 5th from 4 pm - 7 pm at 4944 Franklin Ave. Des Moines
- Central Campus Plant Sale
- Mid April - mid June, at Central Campus Green House & Nursery, located next to McCombs Middle School at 201 SW County Line Road
- Open Monday-Friday, 8 am-6 pm and Saturdays 8 am-4 pm.
- The Homestead Plant Sale
- The Homestead is having their plant sale April 30 and May 7 from 9-11. Here is a list of plants that they have grown. I am not sure if all of these will still be available. https://www.thehomestead.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/2016-Bedding-Plants-Order-Form-revised-160328.pdf
- Contact Farm Manager Julie Beougher for more information at JBeo...@TheHomestead.org
Other Supplies
What else do you need? Reach out to the listserve with questions- our school garden community is a great resource!
- The Basics
- Soil - You can ask the district to drop off a load of topsoil. It's usually decent quality (and free!) but would probably be best if you mixed it with something. The contact for Operations with DMPS is Jamie Wilkerson: P: 515-242-7700 | E: james.wilkerson@dmschools.org. To find out how much soil you'll need, here is a soil calculator for raised beds: www.gardeners.com/soil-calculator/7558,default,pg.html
- Compost - You can order compost from Metro Waste Authority. They require a minimum purchase of 4 cubic yards of compost at around $12 per cubic yard. Also, they've got a grant program, and you can get reimbursed for the money you spend on compost! www.mwatoday.com/resources/grants/default.aspx
- Wood Chips - A lot of tree services will drop off a load of wood chips after they take down trees. One such group is Asplundh Tree Service- you can call them to request chips at 515-577-0640.
- Seeds - Did you ask your local garden/nature center to donate any extra seeds or seedlings that they have? Or maybe leftovers at the end of the season? Many times they are happy to donate to school gardens. This year, try planting a few extra plants that you won't harvest, but instead will save the seeds for next year.
- School Garden Planting Guide
- Companion Planting Guide - It's great to give a little thought into what is getting planted next to what. This is a good way to showcase some of the great symbiosis that happens in nature, in what plants can do for each other as they grow in proximity!
- Looking to spend grant money and need some creative ideas?
- Kid-friendly tools
- Clipboards
- Magnifying glasses
- Outdoor display case for outreach information
- Supplies to build compost bin
- Garden planning tool
- Garden curriculum text (ask for suggestions!)
- Little free library
- Picnic tables, benches, or other seating
- Rain barrels - Contact da...@homes4mypeeps.org if you'd like to purchase one... All proceeds will go to Empowerment Gardens!
- Personnel help
- Don't forget! DMPS staff can be paid at certain schools to work in the garden over the summer (maintenance or leading lessons)! Please reach out to lyn.j...@dmschools.org for questions or if this is of interest.
- Summer programming/summer school: Does your school have anything happening? How can you coordinate with these activities to make sure the garden is used over the summer?
- Examples: garden open times during summer feeding hours, being a part of family events, including gardening as a specials rotation in summer school, having a weekly garden club meeting time set
- If you would like a large group of corporate volunteers, you will need to plan ahead a bit to get this organized. See attached page on requesting a volunteer group (through Wells Fargo specifically... other corporations have these too).
- Can you ask the principal or community school coordinator to share a flyer you made or your contact information about the garden?
- Did you make a sign or otherwise communicate your garden's purpose or times you'll be in the garden over the summer for people to get informed in passing?
- Try asking funders! For example, if you received a Hy-Vee grant, extend an invitation to welcome Hy-Vee employees for a volunteer group at your garden.
- Is there a church in your neighborhood? They might have an active service group, youth group, or some avid gardeners that may love to come help.
Events
Head to beautiful Neil Smith Wildlife Refuge on Friday May 6th and Saturday May 7th to learn more about the monarch butterfly and how you can participate in monarch citizen science programs. Register here, and see attached flyer for more information!
Again on Saturday, May 21st, enjoy the Neil Smith Wildlife Refuge via bike for a 10-mile ride across the prairie. Click here to register or for more information. It's free!
Grants
I recommend reading through the instructions prior to starting the grant writing process. The spring season is closed for accepting applications, but you may use this application to apply for fall.
UPDATE: Des Moines Public Schools Farm to School Planning Grant
The Farm to School team has been active in planning, preparing, and strategizing for making Farm to School a more coordinated effort in Des Moines Public Schools. There have been several handouts and publications that have been created... Stay tuned! We will need your feedback on these as they are finalized.
Stay Connected!
What are your plans over the summer? How is your garden being used or going to be used? What updates do you have to share? We would love to stay connected and hear about the projects, successes, and challenges in your garden program so the district can better support you! Read a few school garden updates below:
- Lovejoy Elementary is in the planning stages for building a garden, and just began building their first raised beds with a community workday last weekend!
- Moore Elementary is breaking ground in several different areas around the schoolyard! 5th grade students designed and implemented the pollinator garden build, and their raised bed garden space is also getting built right now too!
- Monroe Elementary just started their first-ever after school garden club incorporating literacy into garden learning.
- Hillis Elementary will showcase their Eco-Hour in an exhibition on Wednesday, May 25th at 12:30 pm.
- Hiatt Middle School will have their annual Service Day on Friday, May 13th, which will include preparing and planting their garden.
- Carver Elementary has their school-wide planting day on Friday, May 13th as well.
- Moulton Elementary is working on a garden redesign project to incorporate an outdoor classroom space... One community work day for this project even made the news!
Our very best,
Amy Joens and Jenetta Hargrove
-- Amy Joens
Amy Joens
May 2, 2016, 3:43:40 PM5/2/16
to Des Moines School Garden Network
Happy Monday! A few more things to pass along...
June 8, 2016, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
North Side Library, 3516 5th Ave. Des Moines
Sponsored by ISU Extension of Polk County and Des Moines Public Library
Teaching in the Outdoor Classroom: Free 2-Day Workshop
June 15-16, 2016, 9 am - 5 pm
Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge (Prairie City, IA)
Contact Brianna Patrick at brianna...@fws.gov for registration or more information.
Three different week-long service camps will be offered during the summer through Community Youth Concepts. These are open to 11-18 - year old youth. The price is $50 a student, with scholarships available. Sneak peek... One of the weeks is all about food and gardens. Click here for more information!
Please share with your networks. This could be useful for summer garden programs!    |
| Sunscreen requests now being accepted for 2016 Community Sun-Safety Projects |
| The Iowa Cancer Consortium is taking requests for gallon-size bottles of SPF 30 sunscreen for collaborative community projects that will increase sunscreen use and decrease incidence of sunburns. |
| This opportunity is open to Iowa Cancer Consortium members only! Not a member? It's easy to become one. Individual memberships are only $20 per year, and full scholarships are available on request. Click here to learn more about getting involved. |
| Click here for the sunscreen request instructions and application. |
| Applications are due May 6, 2016. |
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- Rain barrels - Contact david@homes4mypeeps.org if you'd like to purchase one... All proceeds will go to Empowerment Gardens!
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