kids , in between monthly visits . The adults are learning , too .
The containers are watered and then the seeds are sown . We teach basic gardening techniques at this time , including how to read a seed packet , sowing thinly , covering seeds lightly with soil — or not covering them — and more . We grow mostly herbs and greens ; in spring , we start flowers and vegetables for the kids to take home .
Bella enjoys the harvest at Fairview Elementary .
STUDENTS WITH NEEDS
Students are enrolled in the program because they come from low-income families and are in Title I schools . The kids are in grades K-8 . Pupils may be American Indian / Alaska Native , Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander or Asian , African American , or Hispanic / Latino , and may have limited English , special needs , are on free or reduced school lunch or may be homeless . They are not going home to a white picket fence and a garden plot .
My personal goal is to have kids be successful with growing plants , and to convince them they can grow food at home . I believe that this gives them some control in their lives , by caring for living plants . As we created this growing program , it has been a learning process . There is as much to learn from mistakes as successes . Three years into a five-year grant , we have helped install raised bed gardens at two elementary schools and have inspired another school to put in a garden on school grounds . These have become community gardens , since our frost-free growing season is basically May 8 to September 23 , totaling 138 days . Currently we are serving nearly 800 students in this program .
GWA member Patrick Ryan is the education specialist for the Alaska Botanical Garden , a Junior Master Gardener specialist , and he serves on the boards for the Alaska Community Forest Council and Alaska Agriculture in the Classroom .
HOTOFF the press
Allan Armitage Of Naked Ladies and Forget-Me-Nots : The Stories Behind the Common Name of Our Favorite Plants Self-published via Ingram 244 pages , $ 20 Published March 2017
Award-winning author and plantsman Allan Armitage tells the stories behind the common names of some of our favorite and lesser-known plants . From Hooker ’ s Lips to Hairy Balls , Voodoo Lilies and Gas Plant , this book of laugh-out-loud yarns is required reading for every plant enthusiast .
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Carol Michel Potted and Pruned : Living a Gardening Life Gardenangelist Books 144 pages , $ 14.99 ( paperback ); $ 24.99 ( hard cover ) Published March 1 , 2017
“ Y ’ all , Carol Michel is the Erma Bombeck of gardening ,” noted GWA member Barbara Wise in her advance praise for Potted and Pruned . Michel , author of the award-winning blog , May Dreams Gardens , has penned a delightful book of gardening stories recounting her years speed weeding , scolding plants for their poor manners , experiencing the magic of a clover lawn , searching for elusive “ rare in cultivation ” plants , narrowly avoiding tussles in the garden center , formally evicting drought from her garden and offering advice for those new to gardening .
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Barbara Pleasant Homegrown Pantry Storey Publishing 336 pages , $ 19.95 paperback To be published May 2017
Homegrown Pantry is a complete guide to planning a garden that produces the best varieties and the right amounts to stock the pantry and root cellar for year-round eating . By showing readers how to hone their crop lists and kitchen skills , Homegrown Pantry picks up where basic food gardening books leave off . The 55 plant profiles highlight the best varieties of vegetables , fruits and herbs to grow for storage and includes tips and tricks for preserving each crop the best way possible — whether cold storage , freezing , drying , canning or fermenting .
More than 60 GWA members gathered for a Region VI Connect meeting in February in conjunction with the Northwest Flower & Garden Show in Seattle . A special thanks for the donation of the room and bar set-up goes to Barry Bartlett , the show ’ s public relations representative , and Jeff Swenson , show manager .
PHOTO COURTESY MARY-KATE MACKEY
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