March 2018 - Seed St. Louis

Giving Grove at Work

Posted on March 28, 2018 by beanstalk

Old Ferguson West Community Garden orchard installation with Giving Grove, Fall 2017.

At Gateway Greening we believe St. Louis is only as strong as its communities. Our vision is a region where people are connected to the land, to their food, and to each other in deeply rooted, resilient urban communities. Since 1984, Gateway Greening has supported food-producing community projects. However, community groups want to grow more than just vegetables, they want to expand their projects to grow fruit and nut crops. In 2017, Gateway Greening partnered with the Giving Grove of Kansas City, MO to bring their community orchard program to St. Louis. This program will allow us to assist community groups in growing a broad diversity of fruit and nut crops that are naturally disease resistant, using a holistic management program that the Kansas City Giving Grove has been using successfully for five years.

As of fall 2017, the Giving Grove in Kansas City has provided over 2,000 fruit and nut bearing plants across Kansas City, and we hope to plant many more here in St. Louis in the years to come. Rob Reiman, the Giving Grove’s Executive Director said, “We are beyond thrilled to be able to collaborate with Gateway Greening to help bring sustainable orchards to more food insecure communities in the St. Louis area.” Small community orchards have incredible potential to produce fresh produce for many St. Louis communities. An average Giving Grove orchard in Kansas City contains 15 trees and is capable of producing over 3,500 pounds of produce each year once the plants reach maturity.

Gateway elementary students hard at work moving compost and fresh soil for the new Giving Grove orchard installed at their school.

To date, Giving Grove orchards in St. Louis have been installed at Old Ferguson West Community Garden, Stix ECC Early Childhood Center, Gateway Elementary School, Gateway Michael Elementary School, Central Reform Congregation Community Garden, and Florissant Community Garden.

Who is eligible for a Giving Grove?

Over the years, we have found that community groups who complete our garden development process create long-lasting, supported, community spaces. We believe that new orchards will be similarly sustainable and locally beneficial if they are community-led projects.

Gateway Greening Network gardens will be able to request Giving Grove orchard plants and materials through the newly created Orchard Expansion Application in May and October. Non-network community groups will be asked to complete our development process. This process assists community groups in identifying local resources, engaging community members, and creating long-term management plans. Once completed, the orchard project will be considered “in-network” and eligible for all of the same benefits as community gardens, in addition to the tools and materials specific to orchards.

What is the Cost of an Orchard?

There is a one-time cost for materials when installing a Giving Grove, however, in order to make orcharding accessible for everyone in St. Louis, we are offering scholarships that will reduce the cost of installation by 50% or 90%.

For the one time cost, community groups will receive: the plant, support stakes or poles, soil amendments during planting, additional soil, burlap, wood chip mulch, and tree wraps. The per plant costs vary from $5-$50 depending on the size and type of plat installed.

Learning to Care for a Giving Grove Orchard

Proper care and maintenance is important for the long-term health and productivity for any orchard. Gateway Greening will be offering ongoing, free education for anyone who wishes to learn more about orchard care. Please visit our events calendar to learn more about upcoming orchard classes.

Start an Orchard with Gateway Greening

Please visit the Giving Grove page on our website or contact Community Projects Manager Dean Gunderson at [email protected] or at 314-588-9600 x108 to learn more.

Giving Grove installation at Florissant Community Garden with garden members and volunteers from The Burning Kumquat (Washington University) and Gateway Greening.

Voice from the Tower Grove East Community Garden

Posted on March 28, 2018 by beanstalk

Tower Grove East Community Garden, 2002.

Written by Mary Anne Pikrone, Tower Grove East Community Garden Leader.

Three and a half years ago, as my husband and I were taking a get-acquainted drive through the neighborhood we chose to live in, we came upon folks working in the Tower Grove East Community Garden. I’d given up backyard gardens in Richmond, VA., and Toledo, Ohio, and was prepared to do with just a postage stamp yard behind our new location on Louisiana Ave. So I walked into the garden, asked about available beds, and within a couple weeks, I was happily planting tomato seedlings in my new plot a half block from where we moved. It made me feel at home again.

Meanwhile, I kept hearing about Gateway Greening but didn’t really understand what the organization was. I did note our sign said the garden was established by GG in 1999– long before I moved here.

I got more involved in the Tower Grove East Community Garden, and that’s when I came to appreciate what a wonderful resource Gateway Greening is. I visited their headquarters and took the required course for garden officers. I attended their early spring conferences, where I learned community gardening techniques and met others who are just as passionate about urban gardening as I am. And, best of all, I discovered Gateway Greening’s volunteer services.

Tower Grove East Community Garden, Summer of 2008.

Frankly, we wouldn’t be where we are today–nor would we look as good–if it were not for the volunteers Gateway Greening has sent us. We’ve had folks from Minnesota who mightily struggled, and prevailed, in 90-degree weather under brutal sunlight; they weren’t used to such heat.

We’ve had seminarians and families who’ve helped us. We’ve had up to several dozen people–I call them worker bees–who have descended on our grounds, worked furiously in often very hot weather and left the place neat and clean. I must say the most impressive were the high school track team girls (can’t remember from where), who conquered deep roots that our gardeners hadn’t been able to budge. Yes, I have to say they definitely out-weeded the guys.

Then, late last year, Gateway Greening arrived with much-needed tools to refurbish our tool shed. What a gift! Now, of course, I hope to apply for a new arbor/trellis from them. When I have friends visit, I always give them a tour of the garden and explain about Gateway Greening, a wonderful umbrella organization of more than 200 urban community gardens.

Meanwhile, we’re determined to keep improving the garden. Thanks to Alderwoman Christine Ingrassia, the city installed new sidewalks and replaced ancient steps leading up to the garden this fall. We paid to have our 100-year-old plus retaining wall tuckpointed; it had been cracking and chipping.

It’s great to know Gateway Greening has our back.

GATEWAY GREENING – ONE DIME AT A TIME PARTNERSHIP WITH WHOLE FOODS

Posted on March 20, 2018 by beanstalk

After Whole Foods partnered with Gateway Greening for Chefs in a Garden gala, in 2017, Whole Foods found themselves engrossed in Gateway Greening’s mission and was inspired to do more to impact food access issues in our community. Whole Foods Market decided Gateway Greening was the perfect fit for the One Dime at a Time program.

Whole Foods Market offers customers the option to donate $0.10 bag credit to Gateway Greening during the months of April, May, and June. Donations will be provided by Whole Foods Town and Country and Whole Foods Brentwood. Whole Foods has also agreed to provide reusable bags at all upcoming Gateway Greening workshops and events, through their Better Bags program.

“Gateway Greening is excited about the partnership with Whole Foods as part of their One Dime at a Time program. Whole Foods have been a partner with Gateway Greening over the years, and their support is greatly appreciated.” said Matt Schindler, Executive Director of Gateway Greening.

Gateway Greening, a local nonprofit organization, educates and empowers people to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. The support from Whole Foods and the St. Louis community will continue aiding over 200 community and school gardens in the St. Louis region, that can connect people to the land, to their food, and each other. Gateway Greening will participate in a number of in-store tabling’s and The Whole Foods Kids Club in both Brentwood on May 27^th and June 3^rd, and Town and Country store on April 28^th, May 26^th, and June 6^th, from 10:00am-1:00pm.

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About Gateway Greening

Gateway Greening is a non-profit organization that educates and empowers people to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening has been working to provide creative, grassroots solutions to urban problems since 1984. Programs include supporting more than 200 community and youth-focused gardens across the St. Louis area through educational opportunities, grants, and technical assistance; founding and providing ongoing material and educational support for community fruit and nut orchards; and Seed to STEM program which assists teachers in creating hands-on lessons in the school garden connected to federal education standards.

For more information on Gateway Greening and its programs visit www.gatewaygreening.org or call 314-588-9600.

LUCKY’S MARKET PARTNERS WITH GATEWAY GREENING

Posted on March 13, 2018 by beanstalk

Each quarter, Lucky’s Market partners with three organizations as the recipients of their Bags for Change program. During the quarter, guests who bring in reusable bags during their shopping are given a wooden dime (their bag credit). They can then choose to donate this dime to one of our three partner organizations. What’s more, Lucky’s Market will match each donation!

Gateway Greening has been chosen as a Lucky’s Market Bags for Change partner for the current quarter which ends on May 26, 2018. “Gateway Greening greatly appreciates being chosen for the Lucky’s Market Bags for Change program. Lucky’s Market has been a big supporter of Gateway Greening over the years, and we are grateful for this partnership,” said Matt Schindler, Executive Director of Gateway Greening.

Gateway Greening, a local nonprofit organization, educates and empowers people to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. The support from Lucky’s Market and the St. Louis community will continue aiding over 200 community and school gardens in the St. Louis region, that can connect people to the land, to their food, and each other. Gateway Greening will be at the Rock Hill location on Sunday, March 18th, Sunday, April 15th, and Sunday, May 6th, from 1pm-4pm passing out information, and connecting to the community.

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About Gateway Greening

For more information on Gateway Greening and its programs visit www.gatewaygreening.org or call 314-588-9600.

Planting and Planning for Pollinators

Posted on March 1, 2018 by beanstalk

Most gardeners know that encouraging pollinators is good for their growing plants, but not everyone knows that increased diversity of pollinators can mean more vegetables to harvest.

One of the best ways to ensure that your garden thrives every year is by taking the time to plan before you plant.

While deciding which varieties of peppers to grow is an important choice, choosing which plants to encourage native pollinators can be just as vital to creating a flourishing garden.

Factors to Consider

Seasonality–When deciding what to plant to nurture native pollinators in your garden, considering when various plants will bloom is of the utmost importance. Bees and other native pollinators need sources of nectar and/or pollen during the time that they are foraging and creating nests. To provide these sources of fuel, be sure to select plants that will bloom throughout the growing season.

Gateway Greening’s Strategy: In our Demonstration Garden, there is a wide variety of native flowers. When first planted, these plants were designed to bloom throughout the growing season, but more aggressive fall flowering plants have crowded out the spring flowering. Luckily, there are other parts of the Demonstration Garden that have only spring flowering

Native Yarrow thrives near the fence of the Demonstration Garden.

plants, ensuring that pollinators always have resources to utilize.

Plant Placement–To maximize the benefit that native plants offer in your garden, placement can be an important consideration. When plants are grouped in large patches, instead of being by themselves, they can offer more resources to pollinators.

Bordering your edible plants with native flowering plants can also improve pollination of your edible plants as well as provide pollinators with even more resources to thrive, leading to more vegetables being produced.

Gateway Greening’s Strategy: In both the native pollinator area and wildlife garden in the Demonstration Garden, native plants are grouped in large patches. Gateway Greening tries to plant native plants directly into the ground in order to save space in raised beds, especially since native plants thrive in Missouri’s clay-filled soil. Otherwise unused space is also used strategically in other parts of the garden such as the small area next to the roadside fence, where ornamental plantings bloom throughout the season.

Pollinators love the purple blooms of chives.

Plant Varieties to Consider

Native Yarrow–Though some consider it to be a weed, yarrow is a native, flowering perennial that attracts butterflies with its white flowers and long bloom time.

Anise Hyssop–This herbaceous perennial is attractive to a variety of native pollinators. Its fragrant, purple blossoms stick around from June to September, making it a beautiful and edible addition to any garden.

Chives–Another edible that attracts native pollinators, chives bloom in the late spring and early summer to ensure that pollinators stick around all season.

Garlic Chives–Though similar to chives, garlic chives bloom in the late summer and early fall, which can be a time when other plants are not flowering.

Aster–In addition to having large, purple flowers, aster is notable for its late bloom time, which stretches into October.

Witch Hazel–Though you might know it from the first aid aisle, witch hazel is unique for both its interesting blooms and very early bloom time, which can begin as early as January.

Native Passionflower (Maypop)–Related to the tropical passion fruit, this unusual flower has a long bloom time and is much loved by bumblebees.

Other great choices to encourage native pollinators in your garden include perennial edibles that flower such as selvatica, oregano, thyme, chives, garlic chives, lemon balm, and mint.

Gateway Greening’s Strategy: Last year, garlic chives, chives, and thyme were planted at the ends of raised beds that contained vegetables. These pollinator attracting perennials are edible and flower beautifully.

Though many of these native plants make St. Louis gardens more efficient, they also can add beauty to their surroundings. Many of them produce gorgeous, colorful blooms that can

Witch Hazel has unique blooms.

light up a neighborhood.

To see all the strategies that Gateway Greening utilizes to encourage pollinators, come take a tour of the Demonstration Garden on Saturday, March 17, 10am – 11am or just stop by at 3841 Bell Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays. Check out even more opportunities to visit the space here.

For more information on which native plants thrive in Missouri, check out these resources!

http://grownative.org/

http://extension.missouri.edu/sare/documents/nativeplants.pdf