how to action sheets

seedlings for community gardens

Scissors or sharp knifePencilCommercial pottingmixtureSpray bottleBalanced, general-purposeliquid fertilizerCardboard egg cartonSeeds

MATERIALS

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Why do some people need toget vegetables from acommunity garden and notthe grocery store?Why is it important to eat avariety of healthy foods?Where does most of our foodcome from? Is it local or doesit come from another country?

If you plant your own garden,consider planting an extra rowjust to donate your freshproduce to a food pantry or aneighbor in need.

CONVERSATION STARTERS

START A RIPPLE OF GIVING

Why Community Gardens Matter Community gardens are known for providingspace for neighbors to grow fresh, healthyfood close to home. But beyond improvingfood access, community gardens provide thespace for powerful neighborhood-level socialchange. When a group of neighbors andvolunteers join together to organize, build, andmanage a community garden, they bringother benefits as well. They become places to make friends and tolearn about new topics, such as compostingbenefits. They provide space to carry on ourfood cultures and they are a place for children(and adults!) to explore nature in the middleof urban areas.

Cut the lid from an egg carton with scissors or a sharp knife.Poke a small drainage hole in the bottom of each egg cell, using the tipof a pencil or similar object.Place the egg carton lid under the bottom to create a drainage tray.Fill the egg cells one-half to three-quarters full with potting mixture. Astandard commercial potting mixture works well. Avoid regular gardensoil, which is too heavy and soon becomes compacted,.Plant two or three seeds on top of the potting mixture in each cell.Cover the seeds with a thin layer of potting mixture. Water the potting mixture lightly with a spray bottle. Mist as needed tokeep the potting mixture lightly moist.Place the egg cartons in a warm area. Most seeds germinate intemperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.Thin the germinated plants to one seedling per cell. Pinch or cut thesmallest seedlings and allow the strongest seedling to develop.Move the seedlings to a window with a south or southwest exposure. Feed the plants once every week if the seedlings are pale green oryellowish green. Use a weak solution of a balanced, general-purposeliquid fertilizer with a ratio such as 14-14-14.

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Why was it important to do this project?How did you help?What was it like to work together as afamily for this project?What was the funniest part of theexperience?What volunteer activity would you like todo next?

REFLECTIONHave your family come together after youhave planted the seeds. Challenge eachfamily member to come up with 5 wordsthat describe the day’s experience inresponse to the questions below.

start your ripple of giving

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Food Well AllianceTruly Living WellMetro Atlanta Urban FarmAtlanta Community Food BankMalachi's StorehouseToco Hills Community AllianceCommunity Assistance CenterClarkston Food Pantry

NEXT STEPSDonate seedlings to your local foodbank or community garden. Someideas in the greater Atlanta area: