IN THIS ISSUE:

Summer PlantingsPAGE 1

Grow-A-Row & Wish ListPAGE 2

Garden Tour & Summer EventsPAGE 3

Resource Center Summer InfoPAGE 4

Garden Project Team:

Dilli ChapagaiImmigrant & Refugee Liaison

Donny ComerProgram & Education Coordinator

Ben CrockerGardens & Greenhouse Coordinator

Kim HarknessFood Bank Director of Operations

Nate KermietResource Center Coordinator

Megan KramerResource Center Intern

Julie LehmanGarden Project Manager

Stacey NillGP Administrative Assistant

We know that winter was long and spring was wet but summer is here now and we hope you have a productive growing season! If you haven’t tried a fall garden before, we encourage you to give it a try this year. July is planting time for:

Beans are one of our favorite things to plant in late summer for a fall harvest. With many beans having a maturation rate of 50-60 days, they can add color and nutrition to the menu of autumn meals.

Many people plant beets only as a spring crop, though the root vegetables actually make an excellent fall crop. The ever-popular Detroit Dark Red is even more sweet and tasty in the fall.

Carrots are another root crop that provides excellent flavor and nutrition going into the cold months of winter. The Little Finger produces in only 55 days and is great for snacks.

We absolutely love fresh greens on our plates in the autumn. You can’t beat Asian greens and colored mustards. Both collards and kale will produce a crop in very cold autumn weather.

Radishes are great to add color and taste to fall salads. The Early Scarlet Globe is a classic round radish that is ready in as little as 22 days!

Summer Squash: Don’t let the term “summer squash” keep you from enjoying them in the fall. Yellow Scallops grow quickly and can be seeded directly into summer gardens and harvested before frost. Adapted from our generous donors © Baker Creek Seeds

The Resource Center will host a special all-day Fall Garden Day on Friday, July 12th from 12pm-7pm. Come down for more info and resources to keep your garden growing for months to come!

It is Summertime... finally!

Grow-A-RowBecause no one should go hungry.

Participate in GROW-A-ROW to share your extra produce with those in need. SEE FOLLOWING PAGE for the top 10 produce varieties to donate to pantries, how to store them to ensure freshness and for a pantry drop-off location near you.

GROWING HEALTHY FOOD, CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS

Garden Notes

SUMMER 2019

Our Mission: Partner to alleviate hunger, one meal at a time, to create a future where everyone has access to nourishing food.

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GROW A ROW Fresh Produce Drop Off Locations All home and community gardeners are encouraged to plant and grow extra vegetables and donate the harvest to their local pantry or community kitchen. You can make a difference in the lives of others by using the power of your own garden!

When visiting a pantry, please call before to guarantee someone is available to receive donation

Bethlehem Temp. Bread House 1518 S. Washington Ave. M-F 9:00-3:00485-4209, ask for Tina

City Rescue Mission of Lansing 607 E. Michigan Ave. M-F 7:00-7:00485-0145

Cristo Rey1717 N. High St. M-F 8:00-5:00 253-8249

Crossroads 3240 S. Waverly Rd. 24/7, business hours preferred882-7217, ask for Jennifer

First Presbyterian Church 510 Ottawa St. M-Th 9:00-11:30, 12:00-3:30 574-5124

Haslett Food Pantry1427 Haslett Rd., HaslettT & TH 10:00-12:00505-3147, ask for Ruth

Letts Community Center 1220 W. Kalamazoo St. M-F 8:30-5:00483-4311

Redeemer United Methodist13980 Schavey Rd., DeWittT, 8:30-12:00669-3430x312, ask for Suzie

Seventh Day Adventist 5400 W. St. Joseph Hwy.W 9:00-3:00 321-8238

Southside Community Kitchen (St Casimir Church)800 W. Barnes Ave. M & W 9:00-1:00375-2977

TOP TEN PRODUCE VARIETIES to donate to food pantries

Summer squash (patty pan, zucchini, etc.)

Cucumbers Store in cool spot in kitchen, ~55°F, in perforated plastic bags.

Tomatoes & tomatillos Do not refrigerate!

Hardy greens (spinach, kale, Swiss chard) Consider dipping greens in cool water before bagging.

Winter squash Harvest before frost.

Onions, shallots & garlic Remove tops after 2 weeks of curing.

Beets Try long-season varieties, like Detroit Dark Red.

Potatoes Typically store 3 to 6 months or as long as 6 to 9 months!

Carrots Trim tops to within a ½”.

Apples Separate them from other storage crops to avoid bitterness.

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Garden Equipment- Garden tools (wheelbarrows, hoes, rakes, shovels, etc.)- Small engine equipment (tillers, lawn mowers, weed whip, chipper)- Drills & power tools

Services- Garden expertise & mentoring- Help with mowing at Community Gardens- Volunteers at the Demo Garden and volunteer work days

Extras- Lumber- Garden sheds- Perennial plants- natives especially

If you have materials to donate from this list, please contact us!

Please share this list with others who may want to help

Garden Project WISH LIST:

- FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Your donations are tax-deductible

Any size donation is greatly appreciated!

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GP Summer Event ScheduleFOR ADDITIONAL INFO ON EVENTS LISTED BELOW & MUCH MORE, VISIT: www.letsgardenlansing.org Summer Solstice Party & Potluck(part of Refugee Awareness Week) Wednesday, June 19th 6:00-7:30pm Webster Farm Community Garden5518 Hughes Rd., Lansing 48911 Annual Community Garden TourWednesday, July 17th 5:30-8:00pm Beginning at GP Resource Center, other locations TBA Raised Beds & Compost Workshop Thursday, August 22nd, 6:00-8:00pmHorticulture Teaching & Research Center3291 College Rd., Holt, 48842

Perennial Plant ExchangeSaturday, September 21st 1:00pm GP Resource Center/Demo Garden Harvest Potluck & Garden ShowcaseThursday, September 26th 5:30-7:00pmNorthwind Community Garden4960 Northwind Dr., East Lansing, 48823

Annual Garden TourWednesday, July 17th

Don’t miss this local summer tradition!

Explore some of the community gardens that make our Lansing neighborhoods unique. Guided bus, biking and walking tours will feature the stories, people, plants and food of new and established gardens. Gardens are tucked in all over Lansing... find them with us at schools, apartments, food pantries, Land Bank lots, public parks, and more!

Snacks & Welcome from 5:30-6:00pm

Tours begin promptly at 6:00pm from the GP Resource Center

Suggested donation $1- $20

We hope to see you there!

“Heartfelt thank you” A heartfelt thank you to all our garden leaders, funders, supporters and volunteers! You are appreciated more than you will ever know! If you would like to get involved, please contact us at 517-853-7809 or email gardenproject@glfoodbank.org.

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JuneTuesdays: 4th & 11th | 5pm – 7pmAll Thursdays | 5pm – 7pmAll Fridays | 10pm – 1pm

Closed the week of July 1st

NEW THIS YEAR! FALL GARDEN RESOURCE DAYFriday, July 12th: | 12pm – 7pm

The Resource Center is located at 2401 Marcus Street, Lansing, 48912Located in Foster Park on Lansing’s eastside, one block south of Kalamazoo St.

Resource Center SUMMER Hours

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT #793LANSING, MIP.O. Box 16224 | Lansing, MI 48901

Phone: 517.853.7809 Fax: 517.853.7817 gardenproject@glfoodbank.org GreaterLansingFoodBank.org

GROWING HEALTHY FOOD, CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS

What’s at the Resource Center?

ALL community gardeners and low-income home gardeners are eligible to receive free resources, including:

Tools: Shovels, hoes, digging forks, rakes & more to borrow.

Seeds: A WIDE selection of warm & cool season varieties (We have many but not all varieties.)

Transplants: New vegetable starts every week. Selection based on weather and availability.

Educational Resources: Books, fact sheets & more. Meet knowledgeable volunteers & other gardeners.Please note, we may limit distribution to ensure fairness.

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