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Our project officially began on January 12, 2013, when Mr. Munoz led a service learning to build wooden boundaries for each square foot garden and prepare the land. Before we made our square foot of land a garden, the land was dry and there was a lot of hay on top. We added the wooden frame (shown on left) as a border to separate each garden. We lined the frame with plastic, to prevent erosion of the wood, and we filled the wooden frame with fertile soil.
Above are some of the plants we grew. We decided to grow plants that can grow easily in the Californian climate, and plants that can grow quickly, since we had a limited amount of time allotted to create the garden. We also chose plants that would be able to be ingredients in multiple recipes (versatile plants rather than ethnic plants that are specific to a few recipes).
We grew: mini (cherry) tomatoes, carrots, mini carrots, arugula (lettuce), bok choy, red radishes, green beans, green onions, spinach, and garlic.
We bought mini tomatoes, bok choy, and mini carrots from Armstrong. These plants began as seedlings.
As for the other plants, we grew them from seeds provided by Mr. Munoz.
We grew: mini (cherry) tomatoes, carrots, mini carrots, arugula (lettuce), bok choy, red radishes, green beans, green onions, spinach, and garlic.
We bought mini tomatoes, bok choy, and mini carrots from Armstrong. These plants began as seedlings.
As for the other plants, we grew them from seeds provided by Mr. Munoz.
During the beginning weeks of our project, the process was extremely discouraging because the seedlings grew slowly. However, our tiny garden developed into a luscious forest of green leafy vegetables. The mini tomato plant, which began as a seedling, grew to well over 2 feet. Both the radishes and the arugula began as seeds and grew to 1.5 feet tall. Mini tomatoes averaged about 1 inch in diameter, and red radishes average about 1.5 inches in diameter. Our mini carrots that began as seedlings grew to 1 foot tall, and the mini carrots themselves were about 2.5 inches long (with some extremes). The bean vine, which began as a seed, wrapped around a wooden stick about 1.5 feet tall. The green onions also grew to about 1.5 feet tall. The bok choy grew about 8 inches, from 4 inches to 1 foot tall.
Some benefits of creating community gardens include the ability to get food from a local source, rather than getting it from a faraway place and using fossil fuels to transport it. Creating community gardens also means that we know exactly what plants we grow, and what goes into planting those plants (fertilizer, water, etc.). Another benefit is that it is enjoyable to watch plants grow, and it is a stress-reliever.
Even though our garden came from small beginnings, we were able to easily provide our family with one full meal a week. By growing our own food, we were able to use less of internationally grown food. This means that we were able to use fewer fossil fuels (that transport produce). This type of agriculture benefits local farmers rather than big businesses, and also helps people in our community because they are able to eat healthier foods that are grown safely, organically, and are not genetically modified.
Even though our garden came from small beginnings, we were able to easily provide our family with one full meal a week. By growing our own food, we were able to use less of internationally grown food. This means that we were able to use fewer fossil fuels (that transport produce). This type of agriculture benefits local farmers rather than big businesses, and also helps people in our community because they are able to eat healthier foods that are grown safely, organically, and are not genetically modified.
If you're still wondering if you should even start your own garden, STOP. Get off of your computer and get started! The Victory Garden promises that you won't regret it!