Category: How To

The coronavirus pandemic, and the broad quarantine guidelines that were put in place to help curb the spread of COVID-19, mean that Americans are spending more time at home than ever before. Staying home doesn’t have to be boring, though; in fact, we think this is the perfect time to exercise your green thumb. After all, if you’re going to log more hours in your own backyard, don’t you want it to be beautiful? Whether you’re new to gardening or consider yourself a total pro, there’s always an opportunity to pick up a few new skills. Now, the New York Botanical Garden is offering online classes—up to seven each day of the week—on a variety of different green topics, Apartment Therapy reports, so you can brush up on your gardening skills from the comfort of your own home.

If you’re interested in signing up, do so soon. One of the most popular classes—Botanical Watercolor for Beginners and Beyond—already has a waitlist for its May 4th session. “Enjoy painting botanical watercolors in a relaxed atmosphere. This class is designed for both inexperienced students and those who wish to improve their skills,” the course’s description on the NYBG website reads.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE: https://www.marthastewart.com/7797113/new-york-botanical-gardens-online-gardening-classes

Upcycled Sandbox Garden

Starting with the World War I, the U.S. government was encouraging Americans to grow their own food to help relieve shortages. Originally known as the war garden movement, these so-called “victory gardens” made a reappearance in the 1940s during World War II.

And the idea of growing your own food is still popular — so popular, in fact, that Oregon State University has seen online enrollment for their Master Gardener Short Course Series jump by nearly a thousandfold.

“In a normal year, we might get 20 to 30 folks who will enroll in one of those short courses,” said Gail Langellotto, the program’s statewide coordinator and a horticulture professor at OSU. “But this year we have over 29,000 who registered for our vegetable gardening course alone.”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE: https://www.opb.org/news/article/garden-community-coronavirus-safety-oregon-state-university/

As you may recall from high school history class, “victory gardens” first started in America during World War 1. In response to food shortages during the war, Americans were encouraged to begin growing their own food, and vegetable gardens popped up in backyards and at schools and public parks across the country. “In the U.S. in March of 1917, Charles Lathrop Pack began the National War Garden Commission—an organization to encourage ‘war gardens’ that might contribute to the Allied food supply and bring about victory,” explains Lora Vogt, the curator of education at the National WWI Museum and Memorial. “Gardening and agricultural support quickly became a way for Americans of all ages to both serve and show patriotism,” she says. The campaign was incredibly successful. By 1918, more than 5 million new gardens had been planted in the U.S.

During the current coronavirus crisis, the concept of the victory garden appears to be making a comeback, and although the crisis at hand and the context is different, Vogt points out that there are economic facets underlying both. During WW1, the railroad lines prioritized transporting members of the military, leaving less railcars devoted to food shipment. “Through gardening, Americans were able to produce an estimated 1.45 million quarts of home canned food—providing for their own needs and alleviating supply lines for others,” says Vogt.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE: https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/gardening/victory-gardens-are-making-a-comeback-heres-how-to-start-a-vegetable-garden

The third- and fourth-graders from Longfellow Elementary School in Spokane surrounded a big tube soil. The looks on their faces were skeptical. What do you mean there are potatoes in there?

Six sets of hands hesitantly dug into the dirt. All of a sudden, a hand brought up a round, red-skinned potato. Eyes got big. There are potatoes in there! After that it might as well have been the California Gold Rush all over again as they dug for the treasure. This is the joy of gardening with children. When their skepticism is overcome by the joy of discovery, it’s magical.

To garden with children, start with a raised bed or several large pots filled with good-quality compost or potting mix. If you start with ordinary dirt, you stand a chance of failure, and the children might think it’s their fault and that will shake their confidence.

Put the garden in a sunny place they can easily access to see what’s happening.

To decide what to plant, ask them about their favorite vegetables. This always leads to some interesting answers, some of which aren’t going to be practical. If the idea is far-fetched, break it down into manageable pieces. If they want to grow a pizza, then discuss what vegetables they like on their pizza. Tomatoes, onions, green peppers and sage are all easy to grow in a garden. This can be their pizza garden. This combination can also make a salsa garden.

READ THE FULL STORY: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/apr/09/gardening-give-children-joy-of-seeing-fruits-of-la/

The coronavirus crisis has increased interest in individuals wanting to grow their own food during stay-at-home orders, massive layoffs and community planting postponements. About 1,000 people a day are signing up for a free, online vegetable gardening course offered by Oregon State University Extension Service.

As of April 1, more than 17,656 people had registered for the introductory course, according to OSU Extension, which waived the $45 fee through the end of April.

The course offers information that can be accessed anytime online on how to plan a garden, prepare the soil, care for plants and harvest.

People are also being encouraged to donate surplus produce to local food agencies through the Plant a Row for the Hungry effort.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE: https://www.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/oregons-free-online-vegetable-gardening-course-draws-in-18000-people-following-stay-home-order.html

👨‍🌾 During World War II, those at home grew Victory Gardens to ease food shortages & boost morale. While there may not be a shortage of food, those quarantined at home may find their garden to be a place of joy, wonder and peace. BONUS… you’ll end up with some pretty great things to eat.

“SOW the Seeds of VICTORY”! 💪
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Spring weather and extra time at home may have you thinking about putting in or tending to a garden. It’s something past generations always did in times of turmoil. Home gardens provide extra fruits, veggies and herbs when store shelves may be bare.

During both World Wars, the U.S. government encouraged Americans to grow their own food to relieve shortages. Gardening was promoted as a family-friendly activity that provided exercise and stretched food budgets.

With wartime food rationing in 1942, the Oregon Victory Garden Advisory Committee formed to help people grow personal plots of fruits and vegetables. Community groups and government agencies partnered to offer free public classes, they produced and distributed how-to manuals, provided hands-on assistance through home visits, and broadcast gardening information on KOAC radio – later known as Oregon Public Broadcasting.

The coordinated effort worked. All over the state, residents dug up and cultivated their yards, public parks, empty lots and even a portion of the Oregon Zoo.

READ THE FULL STORY: https://www.opb.org/artsandlife/article/victory-gardens-america-coronavirus-history-oregon/