BRIAN K. GATHRIGHT

VEGETABLE GARDENING / NATURE CRAFTS / STEWARDSHIP OF THE EARTH

GATHRIGHT & ASSOCIATES / P.O. BOX 87593 / HOUSTON, TX / 77287

The goal of “Seed Time Through Harvest” is to help groups and

organizations to start and sustain a gardening program as a feasible

part of your Community- Level Program.

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Why Add Vegetable Gardening To Your Community-Level Program?

STRATEGIC HIGHLIGHTS

Vegetable Gardening is a proven tool that will draw interest to your Community-Level Program. It can be

implemented as the central function or as an enrichment activity. In developing a well planned gardening

program, it will build a sense of community and add visual appeal to any landscape. Some advantages to

establishing a community garden are as follows:

It is an activity which will appeal to many inhabitants within the community you are servicing.

It is user friendly and requires no special training to become skilled in growing a garden.

It is not gender specific, age restrictive or requires participants to invest a large block of time to

gain personal benefits from the cultivation of crops.

THE BENEFITS OF INVOLVEMENT IN A GARDEN BASED PROGRAM

According to researchers some benefits are as follows:

Psychological Benefits

Improve quality of life (Willets & Sperling, 1983; Waliczek et al., 1996)

Increase self-esteem (Moore, 1989; Blair et al., 1991; Smith & Aldous, 1994; Feenstra et al., 1999;

Pothukuchi & Bickes, 2001)

Improve sense of well-being (Relf et al.1992; Ulrich & Parsons, 1992; Galindo & Rodrieguez,

2000; Kaplan, 2001; Jarrott, Kwack & Relf, 2002; Barnicle & Stoelzle Midden 2003; Hartig, 2003)

Reduce stress (Ulrich & Parsons, 1992; Whitehouse et al., 2001; Rodiek, 2002)

Improve mood (Wichrowski, Whiteson, Haas, Mola & Rey, 2005; Whitehouse et al., 2001)

Decrease anxiety (Mooney & Milstein, 1994)

Social Benefits

Improve social integration (Kweon, Sullivan & Wiley, 1998)

Increase social interaction (Langer & Rodin, 1976; Moore, 1989; Perrins-Margalis, Rugletic,

Schepis, Stepanski, & Walsh 2000).

Provide for healthier patterns of social functioning (Langer & Rodin, 1976; Kuo, Barcaicoa &

Sullivan, 1998)

Improved group cohesiveness (Bunn, 1986)

Brian K. Gathright

A.A.S. Ornamental Horticulture

January 4, 2015

PAVING THE PLAN FOR YOUR GARDENING PROGRAM

Who wants a garden in your area?

There are many people living in urban areas that would like to grow some of their own

fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Using data and research from a study done in 2012

and 2013 the following was concluded:

• Those who want to save money on food bills, especially for those on a fixed income.

• Those seeking a source for fresh, flavorful and the healthiness of homegrown produce.

• For many persons, gardening is a relaxing way to exercise and enjoy being out-of-doors.

• There are families from other cultures who would like to grow traditional foods not

available in the local supermarket.

• Those in search of a beneficial community service project.

• Children’s group leaders seeking an activity that also makes an excellent teaching tool

for children.

• Property owners seeking a way to beautify neighborhoods and help bring neighbors

closer together.

• Community leaders seeking alternative safe, recreational and green spaces in urban

areas.

The major audience for this garden is children programming.

One must first realize a children and youth’s gardening interest is differ from those of

adult. Middle school and high school programs differs than those for younger children in

approaches to clearly focused goals. Elementary Kids’ primary objective in gardening is

discovery and experimentation. In other words they don’t measure success by the quantity

or quality of a harvest; it is the reward in experiencing the process. Kids will use all five

senses to explore and discover the garden setting.

This garden can include a exhibition of native plant, heirloom, organic and herbals. It can

grow into a place for quiet meditation, recreation time, teaching science, creating a

farmers market or even a venue for healthy eating.

The curriculum and activities presented in creative learning environment

• Plant propagation

• Greenhouse or nursery production

• Conservation & soil science

• Nature oriented themes

• Floral design and nature crafting

• Math & Science exercises

• Health & Nutrition

GATHRIGHT / 2015

Tips from the article “Growing Veggie's For The Fun of It!” will serve as our point of reference to

direct our children’s program. It is our goal through vegetable gardening to build a lifelong

connection with nature, healthier choices and caring for our environment. Children are curious

about the wonders of nature; they like to learn by doing, and will love to play in a garden space

designed with them in mind. A kid friendly gardening program should be presented and planned as

a fun learning activity surrounded by a world of discoveries. Whether you work with one child or

dozens of them, you’ll find these tips helpful to customize your gardening program.

The Type of Garden Environment to Be Created

You may need to help out 'behind the scene, ‘cheat a little’. The younger students don't have to

know about every small issue you’ve corrected in the garden. For example, you may need to go out

before or after the program’s session to pick slugs and insects off the vegetable plants.

• Regularly patrol for pests, but do not use pesticides. Children should not be exposed to toxins.

Instead, remove bugs by blasting them with water.

• Change out plants that are severely damaged due to mishandling; replace seeds in beds that

were improperly planted.

• Make sure plants are well watered.

• Good result and a great harvest in gardening solely based on the children’s efforts is secondary.

Your students feeling a sense of ownership in the plot is the major thing.

What to Plant

Choose a variety of plants well-suited to your region and growing season. Children will be

fascinated by the different shapes and textures of leaves and vegetables. For best results start

with seeds that are easy-to-grow vegetables such as cucumbers, collard greens, zucchini, leaf

lettuce, beans, peas, summer squash, bell peppers and Swiss chard.

• Well developed Herb plants are a “must have” in the children’s garden. Whether you use

raised beds, repurposed containers or a traditional ground plot; reserve space for these

aromatic plants. They stimulate the senses and can be useful in many demonstrations. Basil,

Cilantro, Rosemary, Oregano, Sage and mint are the essentials. there are suggestions on how to

present herbs to children In the section titled Nutritional awareness .

• Vegetable plants from seeds are the second addition to the garden. Start the garden by

planting seeds versus starter plants. Children will connect by observing the growth process from

seeds to harvest. The care given to sprouting seeds and nurturing these young plants are a

valuable part of the gardening experience.

• Vegetable plants from seedlings will develop healthier plants. They are started from seeds

indoors or in a sheltered environment. Once the true leaves have sprouted they can be

transplanted into the garden bed according growing season. Students will also gain the

opportunity to watch the root system development and encourage them to get their hands dirty.

Successful community type gardens are supported by an involved group of people. This is the time

to pull together a group of like-minded teachers, and helpers. Local Master Gardeners, Farm

Bureaus, botanic and organic garden organizations and nurseries can provide guidance and support.

Activities and Events

The incorporation of garden themed activities will give your children a needed variety in the

program. Include garden themed activities, multimedia presentations, games and craft time in

your program. Keep in mind kids may not be ready at all times for chores in the garden. There

are some children who will not enjoy the process of planting outside in the dirt, even those

who may be frightened by butterflies and other insects. This will insure children will look

forward to some portion of future sessions and will impact their behavior in a positive manner.

Activities also serve as a structure for the students to be the presenters at a special themed

day. They may want to:

• Distribute produce from the garden to an organization that feeds the hungry

• Present arts and crafts display day

• Garden expo day / open house

Schedule Guest Presenters

Successful community type gardens are supported by an involved group of people. This is the

time to pull together a group of like-minded teachers, and helpers. Local Master Gardeners,

Farm Bureaus, botanic and organic garden organizations and nurseries can provide guidance

and support.

Educational Enrichment

Gardening gives children a chance to learn an unique life skill, one that is overlooked in

standard school curriculums. Gardening is also a great way to teach environmental awareness

by exploring the workings of nature. Environmental sciences Plant life cycles and seed

germination are easily taught in the outdoor classroom. So are math, creative writing, reading,

social studies, nutrition, observation and journaling and the fine arts.

Nutrition and Food

Besides planting and nurturing their garden beds, be sure they are an active part the

harvesting and preparation of their vegetables for the table. There is a section with how to

introduce food sample to students and tie it into the lesson.

Gardening Gear

Gardening tools are necessity in this way you're acknowledging the importance of the

work they're doing and the importance of being prepared to do a task. Under the

category of gardening tools, there are many kitchen objects that can be repurposed for

gardening use. Hard plastic kitchen utensils make excellent garden tools for digging.

They can be used like a shovel or spade. We use drinking water bottles for watering

containers. If need be let them use a shovel or rake under close supervision.

THE OUTDOOR LAB STATION [ACTIVITIES & RECREATION AREA]

Accessible Garden Containers or Raised beds are large bottomless boxes that contain soil and permit drainage below. This system is very advantageous to gardeners universal. They are faster to establish, lower in maintenance and keep area controlled and neat looking. It is a because they are user friendly. Some of the advantages of using a raised bed in a learning setting are as follows:The advantages:Meets a challenge of teaching a group of preschoolers and elementary students as a focal learning area. Meets a challenge of persons with disabilities limited access to a therapeutic environmentMeets a challenge of active seniors with limited mobility

Specs & Dimensions For Outdoor Lab Station

MATERIAL: 60 blocks [8 inches x 16 inches]

DIMENTIONS: 16 ft. x 4ft x 16 inches tall

[24 front, 24 back, 6 left, 6 right]

MISC: _68___ Cubic feet of soil____ Liner Material

Above: Raised Beds Constructed for

Children’s Gardening Program at

Wheeler Ave Baptist Church / Houston, Tx

Office

Building

Portable

Building

Recreation Space

Scott Street

Left: Proposed Space Use

For Sumer Program

• Raised Beds Constructed

for Children’s Garden

• Portable Building for

indoor programing

• Outdoor Recreation Space

• Office Building [Restroom

Breaks]

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