What our program provides:
-
Soil testing for toxins
-
One or two 3’x5’X12” raised garden beds for vegetable depending on space
-
Seeds or plants appropriate for the season
-
Guidance on maintaining a garden
-
A follow up appointment to answer questions and teach about weeding
-
A contact to answer questions during business hours
​
We encourage anyone who is interested to apply. We can never have too many gardens and we will work to accommodate as many households as possible. We're already filled up for the fall, but if you are interested please fill out the spring application form here. If you have any questions please contact us at reimaginetcwac@gmail.com. In 2021, we are hoping to expand the program to include pollinator gardens for participants who are not eligible for vegetable gardens.
Our Program:
STARTING THIS FALL!
ReImagine Food Systems’ garden program is a local initiative dedicated to increasing community access to healthy, fresh produce and pollinator-friendly places through regenerative gardens. Providing materials, resources, and education we hope to eliminate barriers to home gardening and foster a connection between people, food, and the earth. The best way to build that connection is for people to get their hands in the dirt and learn how to care for flora and fauna right in their own backyard. It is a beautiful site to see the change a garden brings.
What are the benefits of a backyard garden?
-
Helps you eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.
-
The shorter the distance from harvest to table the healthier the food.
-
You choose what fertilizers and pesticides to use in your garden.
-
You control when to harvest your food allowing you to pick them when they are ripe and full of nutrients.
-
Increase the number and diversity of insects in your backyard
While people may want to enjoy the benefits of a garden there are often hurdles that keep them from that goal. This program aims to make backyard gardening accessible to families and elderly in need. If you live in the Turtle Creek Watershed this could be a great opportunity. Right now candidates are being accepted in and around Trafford.
Photos from Our 1st Installation!
_j.jpg)
How we are doing it:
​
We are selecting participants for the 2020 fall program according to the following criteria: 1) order in which applications are received and (2) pass soil testing for toxic contaminants.
Our program works with participants for 2 years. In the first year, we provide 3 site visits in a growing season. During our first site visit, we will assess the outdoor area, collect soil samples, and go over details about how our program works, including what materials we provide, and sign a participant agreement. Should the soil samples indicate good results for growing produce for eating, we will move onto the second step. Our second site visit involves installation of the raised garden beds and soil and compost. We encourage participants to be active in learning to plant seedlings and education topics. The third visit occurs 2-4 weeks after installation to check-in on the area. During this time, we provide information about weeding and pests and harvesting.
The second year, we provide 2 visits. On the first visit, we provide seedlings and compost and provide education on amending soil. The second visit occurs 2-4 weeks later when we review information about weeding, pests, and harvesting.
After each garden is installed, Homegrown keeps in touch throughout the season, offering participants:
​​
-
Regular check-ins and garden visits to answer question
-
Information on Organic and Integrated Pest management practices
-
Help getting started again the second year
Common words & definitions
-
Sustainability: the ability to exist constantly. In the 21st century, it refers generally to the capacity for the biosphere and human civilization to coexist
-
Regenerative: tending to or characterized by regeneration.
-
Closed-loop compost: the food scraps and other organics generated never leave and are turned into compost on-site.
Learn more about the Reimagine TCWAC effort by visiting the Reimagine TCWAC page on Facebook or emailing reimaginetcwac@gmail.com. This webpage is hosted by Promote PT. To visit other pages on Promote PT's website, click on the button below.
