Granny's Garden School

Ohio Valley Voices Begins a Garden Program!!

2010-03-07T05:36:00.000-08:00

Just up the road from Granny's Garden School, Ohio Valley Voices offers a number of programs - all with the goal of supporting deaf children in learning to communicate through speech. In February of last year, Jany Murphy, a fellow garden club member and staff member at Ohio Valley Voices, asked me to meet with her and executive director Maria Sentelik about their interest in establishing a garden program at Ohio Valley Voices. I recently learned that they have plans drawn up and are in the process of developing the site. Yea!!!

Last spring we shared extra amaryllis bulbs with classrooms at Ohio Valley Voices so they could have their own Amaryllis Race.

Start your Garden for Spring NOW

2009-11-16T07:13:00.001-08:00

Now is the time to start your garden for next spring.

Granny's Garden School is on a mission to get families growing some of the food they eat, herbs for seasoning and flowers to enjoy. Now is the time to start your garden for next spring.

Where to put the garden? Anywhere that receives at least 6 hours of sun each day will serve the needs of the plants. A number of small plots are easier to manage than one large one. Plants do not grow well in compacted soil. To eliminate the need to walk in the garden, plots should be no wider than four feet if you have access to both sides and three feet if you only have access to one side. A vegetable patch does not have to be a rectangle in the middle of the yard. It can be any shape you want and as simple as tomato plant next to the deck.

How to prepare a new garden area that is currently planted with grass? Fall is the best time to get started. Cover the desired area with a thick (1/2" layer of newspaper being careful not to leave any uncovered spots. Cover the newspaper with eight or more inches of compost and let it set until spring. Next spring, plant right in the compost. There is no need to turn the soil. The newspaper will not be completely decomposed and turning the soil will expose weed and grass seeds to the light. You can plant right in the compost and the roots of the plants will work their way through the paper and into the soil below. The paper will continue to decompose and the soil creatures will take care of mixing the soil and compost.

Where to get the compost? You can make it yourself. All of the leaves falling this time of year will decompose to make great compost. It will take a couple of years if you just let them decompose in a pile. A lawn mower with a bag will speed up the process. The lawn mower will chop the leaves into small pieces. But if you are just getting started and want compost for your new garden now, you will need to buy it unless you have a garden friend willing to share. I suggest doing both. Buy some to get started and start making your own.

You can also join Granny's Backyard Family Garden Project. You can join the project by making a donation of $25 to the garden program. This will entitle you to 10 five gallon buckets of compost from our supply so you can get your garden started this fall. In the spring, you will also receive free seeds and plants and coupons for discounts on more plants, in addition you will receive a coupon so you can buy additional compost from Marvin's Organic Gardens at cost ($15 for a square yard.)

Spider plants to share!

2009-10-19T07:51:00.000-07:00

Did you know you can plant some houseplants outside during the summer? The last two years we have planted spider plant babies in the raised bed in front of the primary school. They are very happy there and multiply like crazy. As a result we have a lot of good sized babies to share. We are not charging but of course a donation is always welcome. Reply to this email if you are interested.

Bulb sale extension till Sunday night!!

2009-10-17T05:47:00.000-07:00

Our bulb supplier informed us that the bulbs will be going out Monday. He said it's not too late to place an order. You can order up to Sunday night.

Each year our students plant bulbs in the fall. The process is used to teach measuring, estimating, the parts of a bulb and their function, and how the bulb life cycle compares to other flowering plants. In the spring, in addition to creating a beautiful spring carpet, the blooms are used to teach flower parts in some classes.

If you are able, we appreciate your help with providing bulbs for the classes to plant. You can order a classroom package of bulbs on the Granny's Garden School website that will go directly to the classroom. In addition to enough daffodils for eight students. the classroom package includes an amaryllis bulb for the class to participate in the Great Amaryllis Race in January. Of course, you can also purchase bulbs locally and drop them off at LECC, LPS or LES. Click here to order.
Thank you for your support.

Events Meeting November 3rd

2009-10-14T07:05:00.001-07:00

Do you believe in a garden's ability to teach us all? Then you are ideally suited to join Granny's Garden School's Special Events Team. An introductory 7 pm meeting on Tuesday, November 3 will be held at 20 Miamiview Drive in Loveland. For more information, contact schoolgarden@fuse.net or call 513-324 -2873.

Tickets on Sale now for The Rusty Ball-Granny's Gardens Benefits!!

2009-10-08T09:01:00.000-07:00

Check out their website.... www.therustyball.com it is a great event for a great cause! Tickets are on sale for the event on November 21st 2009. Our organization receives 60% of the ticket sale if you select Granny's Garden School during checkout. Please support Granny's and have a good night out on the town as well!!

Potting this Saturday

2009-10-07T07:20:00.001-07:00

This is a great time of year to transplant perennials. Beginning this Saturday we will be potting up perennials into gallon pots for our spring sale. Dolly will be in the gardens 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and would love to have your help. You are welcome to take home four perennial plants for every hour you volunteer. Please email schoolgarden@fuse.net if you can help out.

Tomorrow is the last day to order bulbs!!

2009-10-06T08:43:00.001-07:00

Each year our students plant bulbs in the fall. The process is used to teach measuring, estimating, the parts of a bulb and their function, and how the bulb life cycle compares to other flowering plants. In the spring, in addition to creating a beautiful spring carpet, the blooms are used to teach flower parts in some classes.

If you are able, we appreciate your help with providing bulbs for the classes to plant. You can order a classroom package of bulbs on the Granny's Garden School website that will go directly to the classroom. In addition to enough daffodils for eight students. the classroom package includes an amaryllis bulb for the class to participate in the Great Amaryllis Race in January. Of course, you can also purchase bulbs locally and drop them off at LECC, LPS or LES.
Thank you for your support.

Bouquets on Wheels Volunteers Needed

2009-10-05T08:06:00.000-07:00

Each week Mrs. Little or Mrs. Gardis' 2nd grade classes prepare 50 miniature bouquets using floral water tubes. These along with cards made by the children are delivered with Meals-on-Wheels. We are seeking volunteers to help with the program. It's from 8:30-10 on Tuesday morning. The children are only out for 30 minutes. The extra time is for prep and cleanup.

Roberta,
Pat probably has relayed this to you, but she's had two seniors, a man and a woman, who have been so touched with the flowers they have cried. If I remember correctly, the woman just lost her husband. Please share with students so they know their efforts are greatly appreciated.
Sharon Brugamem, Clermont Senior Services.

The program will continue into the fall until all of the flowers are gone. We will pick up again in the spring as soon as we have enough flowers blooming - usually April. If it rains, we pick flowers and work in the classroom. Please email schoolgarden@fuse.net if you are able to help.

Farm Fest in Symmes

2009-10-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

Please join us at Granny's Craft Room at the Farm Fest!The admission is free but there are reservations required. In the craft room we provide many items natural and recycled for children to run wild with. So please join us and the many others at Farm Fest! Hope to see you there. And you can still reserve a space even though it says by Sept. 30th on the webpage.

Seeking Donations of Envelopes

2009-09-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

Each fall our students collect seeds from the perennial and annual flowers growing in our gardens. It's amazing the number of lessons that can be learned from collecting, packaging and sharing seeds. Through trial an error we learned that the best way to have the students collect seeds is with envelopes. We need two envelopes for each child. One to collect seeds for the program and a 2nd so each student can take seeds home to plant in their own yards.

We are seeking donations of envelopes. Any size will do. Please email at schoolgarden@fuse.net if you can help.

Saturday Morning Harvesters Needed!

2009-09-24T10:34:00.001-07:00

The students have been harvesting this week but there is still loads of produce in the gardens.

This week we delivered baskets full of cherry tomatoes to all of the schools in the district for staff and visitors to enjoy.

We have lots of cherry tomatoes and some of those great beefsteak tomatoes

We harvest for Loveland and St. Columbain school cafeterias and local food banks and soup kitchens - but there is plenty to share with volunteers.

Dolly is the Saturday morning gardener. Please email her if you can help schoolgarden@fuse.net

SPRING BULB SALE

2009-09-22T07:34:00.000-07:00

Our Bulb sale has begun! Please get your orders in by Oct. 6th! You can order for yourself, for a gift OR we even have the option to order for the classrooms.

Our hope is to have a Amaryllis race like we did last year. The kids really get into it. The package for that includes daffodils they can plant as well.

http://www.grannysgardenschool.com/410-0-00-bulb-sale.html

Check it out! You can also order and pick up as long as you note this on the order form.

Baking Help needed for Open House

2009-09-21T06:57:00.000-07:00

Volunteer to bake a Chocolate Tomato Cake, for Granny's Open House It's

Or, perhaps green tomato chocolate cake, carrot and spinach chocolate brownies or would you prefer chocolate brownies with beets or old fashion zucchini bread.

We have some great recipes for desserts made with vegetables - maybe you have your own. We are seeking volunteers to bake desserts for the Open House this Sunday using some of our garden produce. Respond to this email if you can help.

Open House Sept. 27th

2009-09-18T06:54:00.000-07:00

Granny's Garden School invites you to join us September 27th from 1 to 5pm. We will have grilled veggies by Chefs from the Midwest Culinary Institute. You can enter a photo contest. Talk with Rita Heikenfeld about what's cooking in the herb garden. Enjoy goodies while... listening to Loveland Music Academy. You can even do a nature scavenger hunt! All free, although we will accept donations. We will also be selling mums from Blooms and Berries which gives our program 40% of the purchase. Email if you are able to attend. schoolgarden@fuse.net

Help Harvest in the a.m. on Saturday and have BLTs for Lunch!

2009-09-11T05:16:00.000-07:00

This week we are harvesting Saturday morning 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. We harvest for Loveland and St. Columbian school cafeterias and local food banks and soup kitchens - but there is plenty to share with volunteers. We have lots of cherry tomatoes and some of those great beefsteak tomatoes where one slice makes a sandwich. Yum! Dolly is the Saturday morning gardener. Send her an email if you can help:dollybgood16@yahoo.com

Final Sunday Supper of the Season

2009-09-09T06:04:00.000-07:00

Just as in years past, Granny's Sunday Supper is a great way to spend time making
memories with family and friends. Guests harvest whatever produce is ready in the gardens (This week it will include potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, beets, onions, garlic, chard, squash, peppers and okra.) This week, Shawn Hobson, from The Works, will guide guests as they use the harvest to create a scrumptious meal.

We guarantee you will not go away hungry and you will be amazed at what can be whipped up using a couple of grills and fresh produce from the gardens.

Throughout the evening guests are entertained by musicians from Loveland Music Academy. (Produced not used to prepare the meal is shared with the school cafeterias, food banks and soup kitchens.) Register and to see photos from past suppers .

Come show your support!

2009-09-08T05:29:00.001-07:00

Granny's Garden School is one of the recipients of the funds raised by Loveland's Amazing Race this year. The recipients are being announced and checks awarded at the City Council Meeting on September 8th, 8-8:30 p.m. I hope you will come, show your support of the program and share the honor. I know it's kind of late for a school night, but I hope some of our students will be able to come as well.

The other recipients are Loveland LIFE Food Pantry, DET3, Little Miami Inc., Grailville and Cancer Free Kids.

Sunday Morning...Come Harvest with us!!

2009-09-03T10:12:00.000-07:00

A note from Kelly, our Sunday morning gardener.

Working at Granny's Garden School early Sunday morning has become my favorite job so far, next to be a stay-at-home mom and wife.

Coming to the gardens is like a free therapy session every week! Helping to make the gardens beautiful gives me a chance to work with my hands and the stillness helps center my thoughts. At the end of my morning I feel calm and relaxed, having known that I contributed to something great and for giving myself the time to digest the past week and to prepare what lies ahead on Monday.

Along with the free therapy I receive at Granny's Garden School, I have the chance to encounter interesting people and plants, wonderful birds and cool insects. FYI- when you bring home an orange slug to show a 5 year-old boy, you are "cool mom" for the rest of the day. Also, I have had the pleasure of taking beautiful bouquets and divisions of all the wonderful plants that are in the garden. This is truly a pleasure in that I am helping make my yard a prettier place and a better environment for my children.

So I invite all of you to come out for an hour or more and enjoy all these great things and more with me on Sunday mornings. I'm usually there from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please respond to this email if you would like to join me.

Mum Sale

2009-09-02T07:39:00.000-07:00

Come join us Sept. 10th from 5:30-6:30 for our Mum sale! All Mums are from Blooms and Berries and we receive 40% of the sale. Hope to see you there!!!

It's Time for Fall Mums!!

2009-08-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

Buy your chrysanthemum from Granny's Garden School where 40% of each sale goes to support the garden program! These are high quality mums in 9" pots that are bursting with buds ready to bloom in your garden or on your front porch or deck. A donation of $6 = 1 mum. A donation of $20=4 mums.

Sale Locations and Times

Saturday Morning Cooking Camp for Children

2009-08-26T17:35:00.000-07:00

Camp will be held on the school grounds Sept 5th from 9-11am. Led by French home cook, Brigitte Cordier, the focus of the camp is on harvesting and cooking produce from the gardens. We offer the children the opportunity to learn from hands on experiences. Our camper to adult ratio is 6 campers to one adult leader.. This allows us to offer meaningful learning experiences so the children come away with skills they can use the rest of their lives.

All of our camps take place entirely outdoors. Part of our mission is getting kids outdoors. Parents and grandparents are welcome to accompany their child at no extra charge.

The registration fee is $20 for one child and $10 for each additional child from the same family. Register

2009-08-25T14:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks to those helpers who picked a whole truckload of sunflowers. The teachers appreciate the flowers from their new students.

Volunteer for Behind the Scenes of Adventures in the Potato Patch

2009-08-23T21:21:00.000-07:00

Looking for Volunteers to work behind the scenes this week helping us prepare snacks for the students. We need two volunteers for each hour between 8:30 and 2:30. PLEASE email if you are available...schoolgarden@fuse.net. After the students harvest the potatoes they do a math lesson depending on level and later eat a snack. This is all part of the Adventures in the Potato Patch.

Special Events Team Meeting

2009-08-22T21:39:00.001-07:00

We are putting together a team of volunteers to work with Helen Fox our event coordinator. So, if you are creative, have a knack for entertaining, love to organize and/or would just like to help, please join us. We provide our services to Loveland school students without charge to families or the district. A dollar goes a long way in Granny's Gardens but we do need funds to pay staff and buy what supplies we cannot get donated. We raise a significant amount of our funds through special events.

So if you are interested please email me schoolgarden@fuse.net. We will be meeting August 25th at 7pm.

Sunday Morning Harvesting

2009-08-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the families who volunteered last week. With their help we were able to donate hundreds of pounds of produce to two food pantries and a soup kitchen. This picture only shows some of it.

This week we are harvesting cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, okra and green beans for the food pantry and the school cafeteria. We are also harvesting and cleaning potatoes in preparation of next week's Adventure in Potato Patch. Please respond to schoolgarden@fuse.net if you can help. Hope to see you in the gardens!!

Flowers for students to give to their teachers

2009-08-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

Picking takes place August 24th, 7-10 a.m. on the Primary & Elementary campus. We pass out the flowers at the Early Childhood Center as well as the Primary and Elementary schools 3:30-5:30 p.m. that afternoon. If you can help with any of these times please email me at schoolgarden@fuse.net

Free Wood Chips

2009-08-18T21:33:00.001-07:00

Haddix Tree Service generously delivers wood chips wherever and whenever we need them. We currently have a pile of chips in front of the primary school that we more than we need right now. We want to get them moved before school starts on Monday. You are invited to come and take all you want. Being your own containers but you are welcome to use the flat shovels that are leaning against the bench.

Bigg's Success Program

2009-08-17T08:24:00.001-07:00

Through September 20th, Granny's Garden School is one of three groups benefitting from the Success program at the Beechmont bigg's store located at 5218 Beechmont Avenue. Patrons who use their own cloth or recycled plastic bags will be issued a 6 cent wooden nickel for each bag saved. Shoppers can drop their wooden nickels into boxes marked with a choice of three non-profits, of which Granny's Garden School is one. Thanks for recycling and helping Granny's Garden School at the same time.

Please help harvest to donate to L.I.F.E. food pantry

2009-08-15T22:21:00.000-07:00

Our gardens are BUSTING with good produce. We just need a hand....well okay many hands to pick it. The next few weeks are going to be our biggest time to harvest. We would like to donate our produce to L.I.F.E. food pantry and local soup kitchens. Unfortunately, they won't get their themselves. Please respond to schoolgarden@fuse.net if you are able to help us harvest. We could really use the help!

Fall Garden Tips

2009-08-12T10:23:00.000-07:00

Please join Granny and friends Thursday August 20th at 6:30 for a small group discussion and demonstration. Melinda from Turner Farms will be helping us learn about how to enjoy fresh produce into winter. We will meet at Granny's office, 20 Miamiview Drive Loveland, Ohio 45140. To reserve your space please email schoolgarden@fuse.net or mail your check to the office. The price is $12 a person or bring a friend 2 for $20.

2009-08-09T15:06:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about Granny's Sunday Suppers?

2009-07-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

The menu is determined by what is ready to harvest.. Guests participate in every aspect of the meal from harvesting, cleaning and preparing of the food to setting the table and picking bouquets to cleaning up afterward. Granny will show you how to dig potatoes, pick lettuce and harvest kohlrabi, herbs and other produce, while the guest chefs guide you through preparing the meal. After harvesting and cooking together we will enjoy the bounty of the gardens at the dinner table.

Out next dinner is Sunday, July 12, 6-9 p.m. It's an extra special on - we have three chefs and thanks to generous donations they brought in we will have turkey, pork and shrimp in addition to vegetarian dishes. You are welcome to join us. Register

Surplus Perennial Sale at Granny's, June 27th

2009-06-21T12:32:00.000-07:00

Each year as our perennials multiply beyond the needs of our gardens, we make the surplus available to the public. Some plants are already in pots while others are dug as we go. Please bring plastic grocery bags to carry your plants home. We suggest a separate bag for each variety. You may also want to bring a permanent marker to label your bags as you go.

You may chose one plant from the ones available for each $6 donation or 4 plants for a $20 donation. Visit our website for more information. http://www.grannysgardenschool.com/414-0-00-surplus-perennial-sale.html

Hey backyard gardeners - It's Daisy Days in Granny's Gardens

2009-06-02T19:01:00.000-07:00

Stop down this week and pick a bouquet of daisies. Check the website for when we are working and stop by and see what plants we have available for you this week. This is the first week of June and we are removing extra canna lilies, day lilies and daisies.

One good thing about the cool spring we are having...

2009-04-14T19:18:00.000-07:00

One good thing about the cool spring we are having is it means we get to enjoy the tulips, daffodils and other spring flowers longer. If you do not have enough daffodils and tulips in your yard to share, think about planting a bunch next fall. A tulip bouquet is so luxurious. If you have a dear problem though, stick with daffodils they do not find them as tasty as the tulips.

One of my goals for the gardens is to have more blooming trees and bushes. Now is the time to look around and see what's in bloom and which plants you might consider adding to your own landscape. Flowering trees and bushes are great for spring bouquets.

First gathering of backyard gadeners

2009-04-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

It was such fun to meet some of the people that are participating in the Backyard Family Garden Project! The purpose of the gathering was to give participants the opportunity to network with other gardeners and get answers to some of their gardening questions. We also shared some of our seed potatoes, Egyptian Onion sets and more seeds. Everyone went home with a spring bouquet.

Question: How are seed potatoes different from regular potatoes? Answer: There is no difference. Some supermarket potatoes my be treated to prevent sprouting, though most are not. Any potato that sprouts can be planted in the garden. I have even grown potatoes from peelings that sprouted in the compost pile. How to grow potatoes.

Question: I planted some of my seeds last week, will this cold snap kill them. Nothing is showing yet. Should I cover them? Answer: If you planted cool weather crops i.e. beets, peas and lettuce they may or may not be affected. It depends on where they are in the germination process. It may help if you cover them with a tarp or blanket (do not use plastic). If they do not make it, we can replace your seeds.

Meet another backyard gardening family

2009-04-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

West Chester resident Lynn Broderick and her 16 year old son Dillon, are starting a garden in their backyard. Lynn says, “I am excited to see Our Daily Bread on the list of places to take produce. My three children all grew up going to Kid's Cafe, an after school program at Our Daily Bread where they share a meal and craft project with the children downtown. My husband and I donate and help with fundraisers there too.” Lynn has already attended two workshop held at Turner Farm to further educate herself about growing.

The Backyard Family Garden Project - Growing a better live for all!

2009-04-03T18:07:00.000-07:00

It is a collaborative effort of Granny's Garden School, Turner Farm, Gorman Farm and Grailville and is being sponsored by Marvin's Organic Gardens, Blooms and Berries Farm Market, Natorp's and Home Depot. The goal of the program is to encourage families to develop vegetable and flower gardens in their backyards and share the surplus with their less fortunate neighbors.

Meet some of our backyard gardeners

2009-04-03T17:48:00.000-07:00

Mason resident Thom Parker, is helping to dig and plant a garden in his family's backyard. The Parker family, which also includes Thom’s mother Marianne, sister Christine and brother Jackson, looks forward to preparing and enjoying meals planned around what’s growing seasonally in this garden, and sharing the surplus with others. Marianne and children volunteer for both Meadowbrook Care Center and The Lodge at Montgomery. She explains, “We’re hoping our garden yield is large enough that we can share with the staff and residents from time to time.”

Colleen and Matt Noble are preparing a garden in their backyard. The teacher-veterinarian couple is looking forward to nursing a backyard garden as well as a first child due this Spring. This will be a second year that they plant a garden, but the first time using seeds in addition to plants.

The Backyard Family Garden Project

2009-03-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

Our gardeners are really excited about getting their hands dirty. They are picking up their garden supplies and hauling compost from our piles to their garden spots. We will use this blog to track their progress with stories and photos.