Spring 2011 Newsletter

SPRING 2011 URBAN GARDENING ISSUE #75

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Urban GardeningA Publication

IN THIS ISSUE2 Volunteer in the Spotlight

3 Community Garden in the Spotlight

4-5 Events Schedule

6-7 Welcome New Staff Members

7 School Greening Name Change

8 Elementary Celebrates Harvest

8 Thank You Volunteers

8 Put Your Seeds to the Test

8-9 Starting Seeds in Newspaper Pots

9 Harvest Fest: A Poem

10-11 Seedlings For Sale

11 Ryan Barker’s Demonstration Schedule

12-13 Announcements

14 Looking Back: City Seeds Urban Farm

A Letter From Our Executive DirectorPeg WhitmireDecember 18, 1918 - December 12, 2010The St Louis gardening world lost a champion in Decem-ber of 2010, Peg Whitmire. She was an ardent supporter of Gateway Greening, and her generosity was unmatched in our world. Like many of you, she “got it” about what we did and knew instinctively that we did it right. Upon lis-tening to stories from garden leaders at the Bell Garden, Blanton and Peg decided that what Gateway Greening needed was science based evidence that would back these stories up. So they donated significant funds to support the Whitmire Community Garden Study, the first of its kind nationwide that looked at the results of a commu-nity garden on its immediate neighborhood. The Study showed funders that what community gardeners did was a process that worked; that by growing one’s own food on under used urban land people could solve all sorts of issues. Like community gardeners, Peg understood that the borders of a garden reach far beyond the fence line of one’s back yard, and one’s community garden. People deserve to see beauty, eat healthy fresh food and receive the satisfaction of a job well done. Here’s to you Peg! Even though we all miss you, I am sure heaven is now reaping the benefits of your gardener’s eye and kind-ly spirit.Gwenne Hayes-Stewart

A Letter From Our Program DirectorPeople as Assets It’s only February and I’m already itchin’ to get out in the garden. And, you can bet that I’m not the only one thinking along those lines. As you are planning for the upcoming growing season, take stock of your biggest assets: people! Community gardens are very reward-ing, but they are also hard work. All this hard work is accomplished by people, skilled and unskilled, who see community gardens as a way of growing their own food, improving their physical and mental health, and building up the neighborhood.

Some gardens are blessed with many gardeners; others struggle to attract people to their cause. But, there are people who would love to become involved – they just need to be asked! Now more than ever, people want to give their time and talents to a worthy cause, some-thing tangible, an opportunity that when completed pro-gress is evident. Community gardens can be many things: a safe place in the neighborhood; a place of beauty; a provider of food; hands on learning and doing; a place for solace; a workout; a social gathering space. Whether you have enough gardeners or you are looking for more people to participate – let people know what your garden is doing to improve lives in your neighborhood. There is a place for everyone!

Mamie BoldenAugust 12, 1927-January 3, 2011Mamie Bolden, the garden leader at Bolden-Olivette Park Community Garden in East St. Louis, was a testament to what individuals can do to improve their lives and the lives of others through gardening. Since the garden’s humble beginnings in 1996, Mamie diligently worked the land to grow food for themselves and others. When pos-sible, Mamie and her son Roderick partnered with local organizations to provide youth an opportunity to learn about the wonders (and hard work) of gardening. Mamie had a delightful spirit and a contagious can do attitude. She was a strong willed, warm hearted, independent lady who was always involved in a project and never hesitated to ask people for help or get others involved in what she was passionate about. “Mercy” (as she was fond of say-ing) will she be missed! Mara Higdon

Peg Whitmire Mamie Bolden

URBAN GARDENING ISSUE #75 SPRING 2011

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My name is Chuck Brust, and this will be my third year in St. Louis. I moved here in the fall of 2008 from Virginia Beach, VA, where I had spent the last 28 years. I was stationed at NAS Norfolk for the last four years of my 20 year career with the U.S. Marine Corps. When I retired from the Marines, I stayed in the area, working as a computer programmer for a civilian defense contractor. Over the years, I had developed a passion for gardening, so after I retired from my second career, I applied for the Virginia Beach Master Gardener program. I was ac-cepted and finished my training in October 2008. Three of my five children live in St.

Louis and although I grew up in Green Bay, WI, and spent my adult life traveling around the world with the Marines, I had never lived here. But when the opportunity came to move here a week after graduation, I went for it. I had not had time to put in the required 50 hours of volunteer service for certifica-tion as a Virginia Beach Master Gardener so I thought I was out of luck. Volunteer opportunities are scarce during winter, but I was fortunate enough to get accepted for a once a week position at the Kemper Center Information Desk in the Missouri Botanical Garden. During the first monthly train-ing session I men-tioned my sad story about not being able to get certified in Virginia Beach. To make a long story short, I was allowed to complete my 50 hours here and be-come certified as a St. Louis Master Gardener. Ga rden ing is pretty much the same wherever you live. The major difference that I have seen is the cold hardiness zones. In Virginia Beach’s zone 8, I was able to grow plants year round

that here in St. Louis are treated as annuals or potted plants. I got involved with Gateway Green-ing through Urban Roots that first spring and summer. A fellow Urban Roots vol-unteer, Ron Stevens, talked me into helping with Community Garden installations the following spring. That was so rewarding that it lead to volunteering for the Youth Garden selection committee and then the Commu-nity Garden selection committee. I used to do long distance bicycle touring in addition to my gardening hobby, but since I got my second metal knee, I’ve had to give up the biking. Up until this fall when I bought a house in South County, I had been living in a Central West End apart-ment, so my hands on gardening opportuni-ties were all through Gateway Greening, the Flora Conservancy at Forest Park or the Mis-souri Botanical Garden. Now that I have my own garden, I may cut back on some of the weed pulling opportunities. What I don’t see happen-ing, is cutting back on volunteer opportu-nities that allow me to interact with both seasoned and novice gardeners. I enjoy talking ‘plants’ with anyone with a passion for the garden. I especially enjoy being able to share my knowledge with new or potential gardeners.Chuck BrustMaster Gardener Volunteer

VOLUNTEER IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

CHUCK BRUST

GATEWAY GREENING

VOLUNTEERS

I enjoy talking ‘plants’ with anyone with a passion for the garden. I especially enjoy being able to share my knowledge with new or potential gardeners.


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The William L. Clay Sr. Community Garden (WLCCG) is in their 9th year of gardening, and was awarded a tool rack and additional gardening tools in 2010. The garden has been approved for expansion grants many times by Gateway Greening since its incep-tion. Gateway Greening has provided a wa-ter system, benches, vegetable beds, shrubs, flowers, and gardening tools. WLCSCG has instituted collaborative partnerships with community organizations that have been in-strumental in maintaining the garden. The 7th District Community Service Program, allowed adults to payoff tickets and minor offenses by working in the garden. The community service workers have bene-fited from education and information re-garding planting, weeding and grow-ing fruits and veg-etables. The seniors have shared inter-generational expe-riences with high risk youth through the Detention Alterna-tive Program. They worked side by side to teach youth about gardening and how to grow food. Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers (PHC) is another valuable partner that provides in-kind services, grass mainte-nance, and volunteers. The William L. Clay

Sr. Leisure Living Community Complex, the residence where seniors 65 and over reside, provides the meeting space, storage for our tools, and administrative support as needed. Without all these collaborations, our garden would not be the success it has been for 9 years. In 2010, the garden produced 150 pounds of vegetables and is planning to exceed that number this year. The seniors have completed their 30 hours of volunteer service and are looking forward to another

successful year of gardening. Many of our seniors have had serious health problems, but they love the garden and take great pride in the harvest produced, relationships estab-lished and the collaboration with Gateway Greening.

Sherrill Jackson, Coordinator of the The William L. Clay Community Garden, Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

COMMUNITY GARDEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

WILLIAM L. CLAY SR.

COMMUNITYGARDENS

They worked side by side to teach youth about gardening and how to grow food.


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February---------------------5th Growing Healthy Kids awards announced, 10am in the GGI office at 2211 Washington

10th Youth Garden applications available

11th Volunteer Valentine Happy Hour. 5pm-6:30pm in the GGI office at 2211 Washington. Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance—it’s about showing appreciation for those you care for. Come celebrate the ‘Hallmark Holiday’ with fellow GGI volunteers! RSVP to Theresa at 588-9600x23.

16th Pints & Plants. Beekeeping Basics, 7pm-9pm at the Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust St.

19th Community Garden Summit. 9am-4pm at the Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust St. Registration and light breakfast begin at 8am. RSVP to Theresa at 588-9600x23.

22nd Community Garden Award Ceremony, 6pm-7:30pm at the Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust St.

March---------------------5th First day at Bell and Volunteer Orientation! Bell is open on Saturdays throughout the growing season from 9am-1pm. Volunteer orientation to begin at 10am at 3871 Bell Ave, 63108. RSVP to 588-9600x28.

12th Potato Day and Spring Planting Demo! Several varieties of potato seed available free to community gardeners (limit 1 lb. per gardener). Ongoing potato and spring planting demonstrations available, 10am-12pm at Bell Garden.

16th Pints & Plants! 7pm-9pm at the Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust St. Topic TBD. Want to present? Contact [email protected].

31st Community garden leadership training workshop. Staff and well established garden leaders will share lessons learned and best practices for community garden leadership. 6pm-8pm. Open to community and school gardeners.

FOR THE LATEST ON EVENTS-------------------------Check out gatewaygreening.organd click on Upcoming Events.

April ---------------------2nd Bell Garden Volunteer Orientation, 10am at Bell Garden, 3871 Bell. RSVP to Hannah at 588-9600x28.

2nd Collection Site soil and pot pick-up, 9am-1pm at the Carriage House, 3815 Bell, 63108

4th City Seeds Urban Farm opens!

5th Hub Garden applications due by 4:30pm

7th City Seeds Volunteer Orientation, 8am at the farm on the 2200 block of Pine. RSVP to Hannah at 588-9600x28.

16th Urban Roots Soil Prep Day, 9am-12pm. Meet on the south sidewalk of Kiener Plaza, and help prep the Market Street medians and Kiener Plaza for their annual planting.

20th Pints &Plants! 7pm-9pm at the Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust St. Topic TBD

21st City Seeds Volunteer Orientation, 8am at the farm on the 2200 block of Pine. RSVP to Hannah at 588-9600x28.

27th-May 1st Collection sites open! Contact Hannah at 588-9600x28 to volunteer as a collection site.

EVENTS


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May---------------------3rd-5th Set-up for the Great Perennial Divide (GPD) at the Carriage House! Call Hannah at 588-9600x28 to set up a 3-hour volunteer shift.


6th-7th Great Perennial Divide! Pick up appointments to be scheduled on May 6 from 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm and on May 7 from 8am-1pm at the Carriage House (3815 Bell Ave.)

7th Tower Grove Farmers’ Market opens for the season! Support City Seeds by purchasing produce Saturdays from 8:30am-12:30pm.

13th Kiener Plaza Planting! 9am-12pm. Meet at Kiener Plaza & help fill the St. Louis planters!

13th Youth Garden applications due by 4:30pm at the Gateway Greening Office.

14th Urban Roots Planting! 9am-1pm. Meet on the south sidewalk of Kiener Plaza. Contact Hannah at 588-9600x28 to volunteer for median planting days.

15th Hub Garden awards announced

18th Pints &Plants! 7pm-9pm at the Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust St. Topic TBD.

19th City Seeds Volunteer Orientation, 8am at the farm on the 2200 block of Pine. RSVP to Hannah at 588-9600x28.28th—Bell Garden closed in honor of Memorial Day

SAVE THE DATE: JUNE 4TH

TOUR DE PLANTS-------------------------Join Gateway Greening in partner-ship with Trail Net, Big Shark, and Whole Foods for a bike tour of Community Gardens and urban gardening sites around St. Louis.

Registration: 8am - 9am

Start: Carriage House, 3815 Bell Avenue, 63108

Bike Tour Route: Approximately 13 miles with multiple stops

Terrain: Urban, mostly flat

Admission: FREE, with lunch available for $5

June---------------------2nd City Seeds Volunteer Orientation, 8am at the farm on the 2200 block of Pine. RSVP to Hannah at 588-9600x28.

4th Tour de Plants!

15th Pints &Plants! 7pm-9pm at the Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust St. Topic TBD.


17th Solstice with the Stars! Join the stars of St. Louis horticulture and family-owned nurseries for a live and silent auction for the benefit of programs and projects of Gateway Greening! 5pm – 8pm at a location TBD.

EVENTS


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GATEWAY GREENING WELCOMES TWO NEW FULL TIME STAFF MEMBERS

Ryan BarkerI am excited to be a part of the Gateway Greening crew, and look forward to fulfill-ing the expectations of the organization’s newest position of Community Educator. I have a firm background in teaching about environmental issues, natural sciences, and urban food growing and enjoy standing in front of an eager group of folks look-ing to learn and have a good time. Various positions over the past decade have taken me to environmental education centers in Pennsylvania and Ohio, three separate fed-eral agencies in Wyoming (including a stint as Smokey the Bear!), a 119-year-old garden in New Hampshire, the deserts of Califor-

nia, the frigid cold of Minneapolis/St. Paul where I completed a masters in landscape architecture, and the neighborhoods of St. Louis, working with community gardeners just like yourself. My main responsibility at Gateway Greening will be to direct education to gar-dens, schools, community groups, and visi-tors at Bell Garden. I will be teaching garden-ing techniques that can make your growing experience more successful, fun, and fruit-ful! Acting as the traveling, or “roving”, horticulturalist, I am on-call to make visits in your neighborhood for 1-2 hour long demonstrations and workshops that will emphasize unique methods and strat-egies for growing more food in the current space avail-able. These sessions range from basic vegetable gardening to advanced tech-niques, such as four-season intensive gardening and computer design. However, I have a long background of making difficult topics easy for everyone to understand, and will accommodate for each unique situation. Depending on the topic, some sessions will include an installation for the garden. Keep abreast of these workshops and trainings by checking our website, read-

ing the Bell Bulletin, and watching our social media postings on Facebook and Twitter. Check the demonstration schedule on page 11 for upcoming topics. You can also call me at 588-9600 x.33, or drop me an email at [email protected] . Look for me at Bell Garden on Saturday mornings in March, where I will be teaching one-hour sessions that emphasize hands-on demonstrations. During the growing season, I will be avail-able Tuesday-Saturday, so please contact me for audiences young and not-so-young. I’ll see you in the garden!Ryan BarkerCommunity Educator

Steve Eigsti2010 was an exciting year for me as I finished my second year of full time volunteer work with the St. Louis Mennonite Peace Center and joined the Gateway Greening staff as the Youth Programs Coordinator. I am really pleased to be part of Gateway Greening and to have the opportunity to support youth ori-ented gardens throughout St. Louis. Having grown up on a farm in a ru-ral area of north central Illinois I have had the opportunity to do a variety of outdoor and agricultural jobs, such as detasseling corn, picking strawberries at an organic farm, and being a camp counselor. In 2005 I received a degree in History Education from Goshen College. After graduation I remained in Gos-hen, Indiana and taught seventh grade so-cial studies and coached a variety of middle school sports.

Y O U T HPROGRAMS

I have a firm background in teaching about environmental issues, natural sciences, and urban food growing.


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In 2008, I joined the St. Louis Mennonite Peace Center and began working with the Co-lumbia Peace and Hope Garden at Columbia Elementary School in St. Louis. I was drawn to the opportunity to explore a new city, while working with a combined school and community garden. During the garden’s off-season I taught restorative justice and conflict resolution classes with Community Conflict Services in two St. Louis Public Schools. I really appreciated that Gateway Greening staff provided great support to me when I was a garden leader with the Columbia Peace and Hope garden. My goal is to follow in the footsteps of previous Gateway Green-ing Education Coordinators (now called Youth Programs Coordinators) by providing support to youth based gardens throughout St. Louis City and North County. I am avail-able to provide garden based curriculum as-sistance and other advice to educators in St. Louis City schools, St. Louis County Special School District schools, child care providers,

and other youth focused community organi-zations. I am also available to present garden education workshops and professional devel-opment at schools. Additionally, I distribute applications for any school or youth focused community organization that is interested in apply-ing for a new garden or expanding on an existing garden. I will also work close-ly with schools or youth organizations that are awarded a Gateway Greening Youth Garden Grant on planning and in-stalling the new in-frastructure. Another ex-citing part of my job is representing Gateway Greening on committees or task forces related to improv-ing the diet and health of students. I have a particular interest in increasing the amount of fresh local produce that is part of school lunches. Lastly and most enjoyably, I get to re-port the successes and positive stories that I hear from teachers, students, and garden lead-ers in Gateway Greening publications. I’m amazed at the positive changes in attitudes towards gardening and school nutrition that I’ve seen from my limited time in St. Louis and I want make sure that everyone knows what great work the teachers, students, ad-ministrators, counselors, principals, parents volunteers, custodians, and cafeteria staff are doing to make this generation of students healthy and active.Steve EigstiYouth Programs Coordinator

School Greening Is Now Called Youth ProgramsGateway Greening’s School Greening Pro-gram has received a name change. School Greening has a rich tradition of teaching people about growing food using experien-tial education so that youth learn sustainable food production and healthy eating. That tradition will continue under the new name Youth Programs. In recent years there have been excit-ing opportunities to promote garden based learning in day care facilities, state run insti-tutions, and youth oriented not-for-profits. Emerson YMCA Friends and Family Gar-den, St. Louis Juvenile Detention Center Youth Garden, and Simms Childcare Gar-den are just a few non-school locations that are teaching youth about sustainable food production and the science behind plant growth. The name Youth Programs reflects Gateway Greening’s continuing desire to reach youth both in school and non-school settings. Gateway Greening supported gar-dens are a strong presence in St. Louis pub-lic, charter, and independent schools and will be incorporated into new school locations in the future. Applications for new youth gar-dens as well as expansion to current youth gardens will be available on February 10, 2011. For more information on applying for a Youth Garden grant contact Steve Eigsti: 588-9600 x24, [email protected].

Y O U T HPROGRAMS

Most enjoyably, I get to report the successes and positive stories that I hear from teachers, students, and garden leaders.


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Marvin Elementary Celebrates Harvest

Marvin Fifth grade student Destiny Vargo uses a shovel to scoop dirt into a wheel-barrow. Fifth grade students, teachers and parent volunteers recently moved dirt from the parking lot as they installed and planted a garden in the school’s court-yard.

It’s harvest time at Marvin Elementary School. Last year, the school earned a grant from Gateway Greening to create a beauti-ful garden in the outside courtyard. After months of planning and growing, students are collecting many different fruits and veg-etables. Students use the garden in many ways, gaining real-life, hands-on knowledge of plant life, ecosystems and earth science. Summer Academy students even used veg-etables from the garden for their cooking classes. “We have been fortunate to have an abundance of cantaloupe, cabbage and to-mato,” explained Marvin Project Challenge teacher Steve Walsh. “The cantaloupe and tomatoes are currently being eaten as class-room snacks. The cabbage has been turned into fresh cold slaw.” Walsh and third grade teacher Cindy Murray successfully applied for the garden

grant last year. From Gateway Greening, they received dozens of gardening tools, a garden hose, a wheel barrow, seeds for planting and all of the timbers, soil and plant covers to create the garden. “Our students take great pride in the garden,” Walsh noted. “They now know the process for planting, maintaining and har-vesting the garden. They know how to tell if the cantaloupe is ripe and ready to be har-vested by the smell and touch of it. They un-derstand the importance of the blooms and the ongoing visits of so many butterflies that act as pollinators for our plants. This garden truly benefits our students in many different ways.”Excerpted from Ritenour School District News9/22/2010

Thank You Seed Sorting VolunteersStudents from Cross Roads College Prepara-tory School and Gateway Greening commu-nity gardeners volunteered to help Gateway Greening sort seed packets for the coming gardening season. The students were part of a school wide program called Good Work which sent small groups of students, accom-panied by an adult, to work at organizations throughout St. Louis. Several students and an adult advisor came to the Gateway Green-ing office and brought contagious energy and excitement to the volunteering process. One great way Gateway Greening supports educational youth gardens through-out St. Louis is by providing free seeds. Gate-way Greening’s seed stock comes from dona-tions, bulk seed purchases, and seeds saved from the previous year. By the end of the year the seed storage area often resembles a mosaic picture with many different types and varieties of seed mixed together. The volun-teers did a fantastic job organizing the seeds

so they will be easy to distribute in the spring. Thanks to the youth of Cross Roads College Preparatory School and Gateway Greening community gardeners for all your help.

Put Your Seeds To The TestTry sprouting a test sample of left-over seeds before ordering new seeds for spring. Roll up 10 seeds in a damp paper towel. Keep moist and warm. Check for germination in a week. If fewer than half sprout, order fresh seed.

Starting Seedlings At Home in Newspaper PotsGet a head start on growing seedlings for your garden by starting them indoors. This gives you more control over the plant instead of relying on the perfect temperature and rainfall. A fun and cheap way to do this is by making plant pots from newspapers. Grab a can from the kitchen (soup or vegetable cans work great) and cut long strips of newspaper about 2 inches wider than the can. Lay the can on its side, and roll it up in the newspa-per as if you were wrapping a gift. Once it is completely rolled, tape the side so it stays tight on the can. Stand the can up on one end, and squish the paper closed around the end of the can. Use a few pieces of tape to keep it shut. Carefully push the can out of the news-paper wrapping and leave the end open. You can now use it just like a pot you would buy at the store, however, the cool thing about these newspaper pots is when you’re ready to transplant your seedlings outside you can put the entire pot straight in the soil. Here are a few key reminders when using these pots:

• Keep the soil mix moist but not soaking wet. These pots are easy to water. Just put

Y O U T HPROGRAMS


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Leaves are whistling

As the extravagant trees blow

Children’s laughter fills my ears

Tables of gifts, leaving them covered and unique

Pumpkin residue gets on clean hands

Markers are distorted in relevance to each youth’s creation

And the sun rises and satisfies the clouds

...and my skin

The food fills my stomach with all its flavors

While I sit, stunned

of the knowledge and beauty that is all,

Fall

Its red-orange leaves in metamorphic phase

The skies blue

Wondrous

Captivating

Fall surrounds earth

Takes a picture of the world

And is beautiful

Copyright © 2010 by N’Dea Collins-Whitfield

HARVEST FESTBY N’DEA COLLINS-WHITFIELD, AGE 16

Y O U T HPROGRAMS

them in a waterproof tray and pour some water around the pots. The newspaper will soak up the water. It is also good to moisten the surface with a spray bottle.

• Keep air flowing around the pots. Have a fan on low near the pots to keep them from getting moldy.

• Young seedlings love warmth and light. Try putting plastic wrap around the tops of the pots when waiting for the first signs of ger-mination. Once you see little plants popping out of the soil mix, give them as much light as possible from sunny windows and fluorescent bulbs. Twelve to Fourteen hours is ideal. Using outside soil for your pots is no good for starting your seedlings, as it might have diseases that could kill your young plants. However, you could “cook” the soil to kill these bad guys. Have an adult spread some soil on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven at 160 for an hour. Let it cool completely before putting into your pots or adding seeds. You could also use finished compost and old ground up leaves as an alternative. For the coolest alternative, do a quick internet search for coconut coir.

• When planting the newspaper pots, it’s important to plant the seed-ling at or just below the depth of the soil in the pot and carefully tear away the remaining newspaper that is sticking out of the soil. If you don’t do this, the newspaper will pull moisture from your new plant and dry it out faster. You might also pull off the tape from the bottom of the newspaper pot so the roots can easily dig their way into the soil.


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Nautic F1 Brussels SproutsHigh disease resistance. Tight, 1” sprouts spaced far apart on 30” stem.

Ho Mi Z MustardMedium green, frilled leaves with red veins. Slow to bolt. Spicy!

Belstar F1 BroccoliUniform, dense, blue-green 6’ heads. Good in both cold and hot weather.

Primax CabbageEarly fresh market cabbage with tender leaves and excellent flavor.

Red Express CabbageEarly, red, delicious and pretty!

White Russian KaleGreat-tasting, especially after frost or light cooking. Tolerates wet soils well.

Nero Toscana Kale - LacinatoThis heirloom dates back to the late 18th century. Also called “dinosaur kale.”

Bright Lights Swiss ChardThis super food green has tasty rainbow-colored stems. Continuous harvest.

Multiple varieties of LettucePlant 6” apart. Beautiful color variety.

SEEDLINGS FOR SALESpring will be here soon! Read on for details and delicious varieties of seedlings we’ll be providing to our members and gardeners in 2011. All members of Gateway Greening are welcome to purchase seedlings and seeds. Seedlings are available for sale at Bell Garden every Saturday morning, 9 a.m.- noon, 3871 Bell Ave, just east of Vandeventer and two blocks north of Delmar.

BELL DEMONSTRATION

G A R D E N


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Some of these crops will be available as soon as Bell Garden opens in March, others will take more time. We will distribute seed potatoes and onion plants in early to mid-March. Summer seedlings and sweet potatoes will be available in May! We love to hear your questions and comments on our seedlings! Contact: Ariel Buback, Urban Farm Manager, 314-588-9600 ext. 27, [email protected].

Georgia Southern CollardsThis pre-1880 heirloom is heat-tolerant and delicious.

King Richard LeeksEarly, mild, and easy to clean! No hilling required.

Parade ScallionsUniform, upright bunching onion. Dark green, no bulbing, mild flavor.

Herbs:

Italian Basil

Red Rubin Basil

Rosemary

Sage

Thyme

Oregano

Marjoram

Summer Savory

Parsley, Flat or Curled

Chervil

Dill

Cilantro

Chamomile

RYAN BARKER’SDEMONSTRATIONSCHEDULE

February----------------Week 1Constructing Cold Frames and Row CoversWeek 2Growing Seedlings at HomeWeek 3Planning the Vegetable GardenWeek 4Sketchup for Gardeners

March----------------Week 1Seedling Propagation (13th St. Hub); Vegetable Gardening 101Week 2Spring Garden Start-upWeek 3Planting Potatoes and OnionsWeek 4Techniques for High-

Yield Gardening/Square-Foot Gardening

April----------------Week 1Techniques for High-Yield Gardening/Square-Foot Gardening. Also Weigh station demo at Bell Garden on April 2nd.Week 2Thinning Seedlings, Succession and Relay PlantingWeek 3Cucurbit and Melon CropsWeek 4Home Brewing Compost Tea

May----------------Week 1Floating Row Covers for Pest Managment.

Acting as a traveling, or “roving”, horticulturalist, Ryan Barker of Gateway Greening is on-call to make visits in your neighborhood for 1-2 hour long demonstrations. If interested in a demonstration call Ryan at 588-9600 x.33, or drop him an email at [email protected].

BELL DEMONSTRATION

G A R D E N


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Gateway Greening Celebrates 7 Years With Urban RootsGateway Greening celebrates 7 years in 2011 as an Urban Roots participating organization assisting with the creation of significant sea-sonal color displays in downtown St. Louis. Since the spring of 2005, Gateway Green-ing, in association with the St. Louis Master Gardeners, has nurtured and lead a unique team of creative talent, dedicated volunteers, green industry professionals, and generous financial supporters to facilitate this endeav-or. The 2011 displays have been de-signed and plant material ordered. The Kiener Plaza display will feature the theme Follow the Yellow Brick Road, a blend of vibrant yellow and gold colors as a tribute to the 72nd birthday of the movie version of Wiz-ard of Oz. The Market St. Median will feature bold tropical foliage and striking seasonal flowers as a tribute to the 2011 Muny cast of the “Little Shop of Horrors” stage produc-tion. Come join the volunteer fun at the following spring 2011 implementation days:Saturday, April 16: 9:00am-Noon: planting bed preparation at Kiener Plaza and Market St. Median.Friday, May 13: 9:00am-Noon: Kiener Plaza planting daySaturday, May 14: 9:00am-1:00pm: Market Street planting dayBill Rupert, Board MemberCivic Greening Committee Chair

2011 Tool Loan PolicyHaving the right tools can make gardening easier. Gateway Greening can help through-out the growing season through our Tool Loan Program. Who: GGI Member Community, Youth, and School Garden Projects.Loan Deposit: $20 Deposit will not be re-turned if tools are, broken, missing, dirty, or lateHours: Saturday - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Fri-days - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (By appointment only) Additional appointments may be made by special arrangement.Location: Carriage House, 3815 Bell Ave. 63108Loan Period: Must schedule a return ap-pointment, two week maximumTool Condition: Items should be returned at the designated time. Items should be re-turned clean, free of soil and debris, and in good working order. In the event that an item is returned broken, your deposit will used to replace the broken equipment. If items are returned later than the agreed upon time on your form, your deposit will also be reserved.Contact: James Anderson, 588-9600 ex 30 or [email protected].

St. Louis BeekeepersAnnual Beekeeping WorkshopThe Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Associa-tion will offer full-day courses of instruction

for beginning and experienced beekeepers on Saturday, February 12, 2011, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Maritz in Fenton, Mis-souri. Space is limited, and will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis. Registration is available online at www.easternmobeekeepers.com, or by com-pleting and mailing the downloadable regis-tration form. Tuition cost is $75 per person be-fore January 23rd. Tuition cost is $90 per person for those registering on or after January 23rd. Registration clos-es February 5th unless filled sooner. The Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Associa-tion has been supporting beekeeping in St. Louis since 1939.

Hub Garden ApplicationsGateway Greening is happy to announce that the second round of Hub Garden Ap-plications are now available. Through this grant, GGI bolsters infrastructure at selected St. Louis area gardens to provide educational opportunities and technical assistance for gardeners nearby (similar to Bell Commu-nity and Demonstration Garden). The Hub Gardens will strengthen existing and future GGI-sponsored gardens, including com-munity gardens, school gardens, daycare fa-cilities and ornamental pocket parks with a strong emphasis on food producing gardens. Hub Gardens will provide services such as vegetable gardening workshops, food prepa-ration demonstrations, seedling propagation

ANNOUNCEMENTS


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ANNOUNCEMENTSor tool lending. Please visit our website to learn more about our Hub Gardens. You will also find information on our current Hub Gardens who were awarded in 2010, 13th Street Com-munity Garden in Old North St. Louis and Wayside Community Garden in Normandy. Both of the current Hub Gardens will be presenting at the second annual Community Garden Summit, on February 19th to speak about their experience as a Hub Garden. Contact us if your garden is interest-ed in applying to become a Hub Garden or are simply interested in learning more. GGI staff will be available to meet with you to explain the process and help you participate. Applications are available now and are due April 5th, 2010.

Hub Garden NewsOur Hub Gardens are already preparing for the upcoming growing season and are antici-pating a successful year. With Hub Garden status, we are excited to announce that a Jr. High Tunnel will be granted to 13th Street Hub Garden in February. This will allow the garden ample space to do seed starting and propagation on site for the surrounding community. If you are in Old North, make sure to stop by and check it out. Wayside hub Garden is also gearing up for the upcoming season beginning with a workshop on natural pest control. Wayside has been improving methods to enhance the volume of produce coming out of their gar-den. In 2010, almost 1600 pounds of pro-

duce came from their vegetable beds in Nor-mandy. Both Hubs are furthering their drive to become strong leaders by members at-tending the 8-week Growing Gardeners class held by Gateway Greening. Make sure to be on the look-out for events and watch these two flagship Hubs continue to grow.

2011 Community Garden Grant AwardsGateway Greening has received many great applications this year for both new communi-ty garden projects and expansions to existing gardens. Our wonderful Selection Committee volunteers have been hard at work reviewing applications and visiting garden sites in the January snow. An announcement of selected garden projects will be made shortly. Please join us at Christ Church Cathedral for the 2011 Community Garden Award Ceremony to welcome the new community gardens and congratulate the expanding gardens. February 22, 2011 6:00 pm - 7:30 pmChrist Church Cathedral1210 Locust StreetSaint Louis, MO 63101

Register Now For The Community Garden SummitJoin fellow community gardeners at our 2nd annual Community Garden Summit. Net-work and help make community gardens a key component of regional food security.

When: Saturday Feb. 19 from 9am-4pmWhere: Christ Church Cathedral at 1210 Locust Street. Registration and light breakfast begin at 8am, followed by a keynote address from American Community Gardening Board President Bobby Wilson! The morning ses-sion includes an update on Missouri farm-to-school initiatives, the St. Louis Regional Food Policy Council and Gateway Greening Hub Gardens. Following lunch, participants will regroup at breakout sessions featuring local professionals in the community on these top-ics:

Round 1: 1:00pm-2:15pmVegetable Gardening 101Farm-to-School StrategiesGarden Leader Best PracticesSo you want to be a Hub Garden?Community Gardens and Health

Round 2: 2:30pm-3:45pmIntensive Vegetable ProductionGarden-Based Curriculum IntegrationMarketing the GardenSmall Grant Research and WritingDeveloping Food Distribution Networks

Register now by going to our website’s Up-coming Events page at www.gatewaygreen-ing.org or by calling 588-9600x23. Free to attend.


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FIVE YEARS AND COUNTING: CITY SEEDS URBAN FARM“Three months ago I wouldn’t have thought any of this was possible. Overhead are pictures of my friends and I working on the farm. I give a speech about the wonders of nature that exist outside, that most don’t experience. I get applause. Applause? Couple of months ago I was lucky to find food in a trashcan when I was starving, let alone find friends and acceptance and…applause?” -City Seeds farmer following graduation A similar sentiment is echoed as we look back on the birth and growth of the City Seeds program since 2006. Embark-ing on our sixth growing season, it is a good time to reflect on the many accomplishments achieved by the collaboration of so many. Since 2006 to the present, over 240 St. Patrick Center clients have participated in the pro-gram. The program has graduated 140 indi-

viduals who have made substantial personal progress towards sound mental health, cop-ing with addiction, and building job skills for greater self-sufficiency. Since August of 2009 37 out of 45 em-ployment graduates have been placed in jobs, equaling an 82% placement rate!! Over 35,000 pounds of food has been harvested, of which over 10,000 pounds. have been donated to various food banks, pantries and transitional liv-ing facilities. Nearly 7000 hours of vol-unteer service have been contributed by individuals and ser-vice groups. Over $50,000 in sales has been generated by produce distribution to sustain the program. As we look toward the next five years, there will be even more…ac-ceptance, applause, harvest and jobs. In the short term…Come check out the hardcore hardscape im-provements at the farm. City Seeds looks more polished each season, as more train-ing projects enhance the farm and teach job skills. Farmers installed amendment areas for soil, mulch, compost and gravel deliveries.

They also installed a 20’ x 20’ group square and patio to improve our outdoor classroom space. Thanks to Horstmann Brothers Landscaping and Lawn Works Unlimited! The farm team is awaiting the arrival of the newest City Seeds AmeriCorps VIS-TA, Robert Kocher in late February. Wel-come, Robert! Meanwhile, the farm team is making the most of winter by evaluating last season, planning next season, streamlining the therapeutic curriculum and making em-ployer contacts. Seedling production has started! Cli-ents began seed starting in the hoophouse in the last week of January. Look for exciting new varieties available at Bell Garden as early as March. There is no shortage of work, but luckily it’s mostly the indoor kind for now.

Contact Annie Mayrose if interested in vol-unteering at the City Seeds Urban Farm. The first volunteer orientation is on April 7th. Annie MayroseCity Seeds Coordinator

CITY SEEDSURBAN FARM

Over 35,000 pounds. of food has been harvested of which over 10,000 pounds. have been donated to various food banks, pantries and transitional living facilities.


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Nannette BakerRobert BallsrudSarah DavisNoel FehrJames FettermanLoura Gilbert, ChairBonnie HamidDavid HoffmannMark LawsonKevin McGowan

Robert Neu, TreasurerRandall ParkerWilliam RuppertLynn SuydamJulie M. Thomas, SecretaryMichael TurleyElizabeth WalkerDennis Woldum, Chair EmeritusHoward WynderVictor Zarrilli

New MembersDirector’s CircleMs. Linda KlothGardenerMs. Catherine BishopMs. Marilyn BurbaMs. Shirley CanupMs. Mariella FunkMr. Dan GoetzMs. Katherine HolzemMr. and Mrs. William JanuaryMs. Jane KeelMs. Celeste LedwidgeMs. J.E. LeonardMs. Jen ParkerMs. Nancy QuigleyMs. Patricia SamelMs. Jane SheaRainmakerCommunity Action Agency of St. Louis County, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Patricia GrayMs. Anne KirkpatrickMs. Kathleen PuhrMr. and Mrs. Chris Tubbs

Renewing MembersDirector’s CircleMs. Phyllis HuettnerGardenerMr. and Mrs. James AlsethMr. John AsburyMs. Leona Bohm

Mr. and Mrs. Doug BrockhausMs. Susie ButlerMs. Martha M. ColeMr. and Mrs. John GianoulakisMr. and Mrs. Jack E. HardingMs. Joan HummelMr. and Mrs. Thomas V. KorteMs. Ruth H. LacyMr. and Mrs. Dennis LutzMs. Cat McCrearyMs. Mary Ann McGivernMs. Betty MuellerMr. Alan R. Newman and Ms. E. Wendy SaulMs. Diana OleskevichMr. and Mrs. Joe ReznyMr. and Mrs. James SmithMs. Susan SmithMrs. Rowena Van DykeMs. Cara E. Watters

RainmakerMr. and Mrs. Philip BarronDr. and Mrs. Ronald BilchikMs. Catherine S. BollingerMs. Gayle FritzMs. and Mr. Martha PetersMr. and Mrs. Mike RaneyMr. and Mrs. Louis StarkMs. Betty StruckhoffTower Grove East Neighborhood AssociationThank you for supporting Gateway Greening.

Executive DirectorGwenne Hayes-Stewart x21Program DirectorMara Higdon x22Development SpecialistLauren Maul x26Administrative AssistantTheresa Lopez x23Community Development CoordinatorHannah Reinhart x28Community Gardens CoordinatorJames Anderson x30Youth Programs CoordinatorSteve Eigsti x24

Community EducatorRyan Barker x33City Seeds CoordinatorAnnie Mayrose x25Urban Farm ManagerAriel Roads Buback x27AmeriCorps VISTA City SeedsRachel Deffenbaugh x32AmeriCorps VISTA Community Outreach Matt Even x29AmeriCorps VISTA Fundraising and CommunicationsWill Flynn x31

GATEWAY GREENING BOARD OF DIRECTORS

GATEWAY GREENING MEMBERS

GATEWAY GREENINGSTAFF

Ph / Fax 314-588-9600 | www.gatewaygreening.org

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Spring 2011 Newsletter

Documents

ones community garden

spotlight3 community

community gardeners

community gardens

garden leaders

bell garden

garden reach

urban land people