Learn Organic Gardening

Carved Pumpkin Contest Oct. 28

How Does Your Garden Grow?

The following is an article written by Lori Singer, a volunteer writer  ​for​ ​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way:
 

The​ ​enthusiasm​ ​was​ ​infectious​ ​and​ ​tangible​ ​as​ ​residents​ ​came​ ​together​ ​a​ ​little while​ ​ago​ ​in​ ​the​ ​evening​ ​to​ ​celebrate​ ​the​ ​flourishing​ ​community​ ​gardens​ ​planted​ ​there​ ​this​ ​past​ ​May. 

The​ ​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way’s​ ​program,​ ​“Grow​ ​Your​ ​Own”​ ​spearheaded​ ​by​ ​Susan​ ​Meek​ ​and​ ​followed by​ ​Brian​ ​Rich,​ ​consists​ ​of​ ​numerous​ ​garden​ ​beds--surrounded​ ​by​ ​picket​ ​fences--in​ ​Gatison​ ​Park​ ​and​ ​Pine Lot,​ ​both​ ​in​ ​Ansonia,​ ​CT.​ ​These​ ​neighborhoods​ ​were​ ​chosen​ ​as​ ​an​ ​ongoing​ ​effort​ ​to​ ​help​ ​low-income residents​ ​fight​ ​food​ ​insecurity​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Valley​ ​and​ ​provide​ ​more​ ​nutritious​ ​food​ ​for​ ​their​ ​families.

Echoing​ ​the​ ​positive​ ​sentiment,​ ​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way​ ​President​ ​Sharon​ ​Gibson​ ​said,​ ​“Valley​ ​United Way​ ​is​ ​excited​ ​to​ ​offer​ ​the​ ​garden​ ​program​ ​to​ ​our​ ​Valley​ ​communities.” 

The​ ​key​ ​word​ ​is​ ​“community”​ ​as​ ​residents​ ​came​ ​out​ ​in​ ​droves-many​ ​discovering​ ​the​ ​gardens​ ​and produce​ ​were​ ​for​ ​them​ ​for​ ​the​ ​first​ ​time.​ ​Wide​ ​eyes​ ​and​ ​big​ ​smiles​ ​became​ ​commonplace​ ​as​ ​the​ ​news spread.​ ​Many​ ​residents​ ​asked​ ​for​ ​tours​ ​and​ ​were​ ​given​ ​bags​ ​to​ ​search​ ​for​ ​fresh​ ​veggies​ ​that​ ​were​ ​ripe​ ​for picking:​ ​cherry​ ​tomatoes;​ ​three​ ​different​ ​types​ ​of​ ​lettuce;​ ​green​ ​peppers;​ ​squash;​ ​chard;​ ​cabbage; cucumbers;​ ​eggplant;​ ​and​ ​many​ ​more,​ ​plus​ ​herbs​ ​to​ ​accent​ ​and​ ​give​ ​flavor​ ​to​ ​their​ ​meals:​ ​basil;​ ​sage; rosemary;​ ​cilantro;​ ​thyme​ ​and​ ​parsley. 

 “I​ ​live​ ​right​ ​next​ ​to​ ​Pine​ ​Lot​ ​and​ ​I​ ​thought​ ​this​ ​garden​ ​was​ ​just​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Boys​ ​and​ ​Girls​ ​Club.​ ​I clicked​ ​like​ ​and​ ​share​ ​on​ ​facebook​ ​and​ ​headed​ ​down​ ​here​ ​right​ ​away!,”​ ​said​ ​Rhonda​ ​Rossik.​ ​She​ ​added, “I​ ​can​ ​get​ ​the​ ​girl​ ​scouts​ ​involved​ ​too!,”​ ​as​ ​she​ ​walked​ ​through​ ​the​ ​garden​ ​sharing​ ​her​ ​knowledge​ ​and enthusiasm​ ​with​ ​others​ ​who​ ​were​ ​deciding​ ​what​ ​they​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​pick​ ​for​ ​dinner.  

Cherry​ ​tomatoes​ ​were​ ​by​ ​far​ ​the​ ​most​ ​popular​ ​vegetable.​ ​At​ ​Gatison​ ​Park,​ ​Maya,​ ​her​ ​two​ ​sisters Ramona​ ​and​ ​Tiffany​ ​Wright​ ​and​ ​their​ ​children​ ​come​ ​to​ ​the​ ​garden​ ​often.​ ​“We​ ​go​ ​here​ ​everyday​ ​picking carrots​ ​and​ ​grape​ ​tomatoes​ ​and​ ​eating​ ​them,”​ ​she​ ​said.​ ​Jazmiah,​ ​Ramona’s​ ​7-year-old​ ​daughter​ ​“loves vegetables”​ ​and​ ​Tiffany’s​ ​daughter,​ ​5-year-old​ ​Kaylynn​ ​“loves​ ​gazpacho!” 

Another​ ​Gatison​ ​Park​ ​resident​ ​who​ ​frequents​ ​the​ ​garden​ ​is​ ​Malika​ ​Mosely.​ ​She​ ​has​ ​an 11-year-old​ ​daughter​ ​and​ ​walks​ ​by​ ​in​ ​the​ ​morning,​ ​afternoon​ ​and​ ​the​ ​evening​ ​on​ ​her​ ​way​ ​home​ ​from work.​ ​“I​ ​usually​ ​look​ ​for​ ​the​ ​lettuce,​ ​cucumbers​ ​and​ ​tomatoes,”​ ​she​ ​said. 

And​ ​what​ ​would​ ​a​ ​block​ ​party​ ​be​ ​without​ ​Domino’s​ ​pizza,​ ​an​ ​ice​ ​cream​ ​truck​ ​and​ ​a​ ​special​ ​arts and​ ​crafts​ ​project​ ​for​ ​the​ ​children?​ ​Plus​ ​chef​ ​Audra​ ​Weisel,​ ​who​ ​had​ ​stiff​ ​competition​ ​from​ ​the​ ​pizza​ ​and ice​ ​cream,​ ​but​ ​was​ ​up​ ​to​ ​the​ ​task.​ ​Happily​ ​she​ ​handed​ ​out​ ​samples​ ​of​ ​her​ ​healthy​ ​cooked​ ​tomatoes, asparagus,​ ​zucchini​ ​and​ ​other​ ​fresh​ ​veggies​ ​along​ ​with​ ​the​ ​recipes​ ​for​ ​cooking​ ​them​ ​in​ ​their​ ​own​ ​homes. 

Weisel​ ​has​ ​a​ ​long​ ​history​ ​of​ ​helping​ ​out​ ​low-income​ ​families​ ​and​ ​started​ ​digging​ ​and​ ​planting​ ​for “Grow​ ​Your​ ​Own“​ ​this​ ​past​ ​May.​ ​“I’m​ ​happy​ ​to​ ​lend​ ​my​ ​expertise​​ ​i​n​ ​any​ ​way,​ ​shape​ ​or​ ​form,”​ ​she​ ​said. Quickly​ ​adding​ ​whether​ ​that​ ​means,”teaching​ ​them​ ​how​ ​to​ ​can​ ​their​ ​vegetables​ ​or​ ​learning​ ​how​ ​to​ ​cook them.”​ ​She​ ​is​ ​hoping​ ​“they​ ​will​ ​try​ ​something​ ​new​ ​…​ ​and​ ​like​ ​it!”  

“Grow​ ​Your​ ​Own”​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way’s​ ​projects.​ ​With​ ​a​ ​third​ ​garden​ ​already​ ​planted​ ​at Irving​ ​School​ ​in​ ​Derby,​ ​the​ ​program​ ​is​ ​expecting​ ​to​ ​expand​ ​next​ ​year,​ ​including​ ​more​ ​locations​ ​and getting​ ​more​ ​of​ ​the​ ​community​ ​involved.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​possible​ ​thanks​ ​to​ ​the​ ​generosity​ ​of​ ​our​ ​premiere sponsor,​ ​Avan​ ​Grid,​ ​plus​ ​Newtown​ ​Savings​ ​Bank​ ​and​ ​Lavietes​ ​Foundation. 

The​ ​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way​ ​is​ ​a​ ​nonprofit​ ​organization​ ​with​ ​other​ ​projects​ ​and​ ​events​ ​happening simultaneously​ ​to​ ​fulfill​ ​the​ ​need​ ​of​ ​scarcity​ ​of​ ​food​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Valley.​ ​Two​ ​of​ ​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way’s​ ​signature projects,​ ​Back​ ​to​ ​School​ ​Clothes​ ​for​ ​Kids​ ​and​ ​their​ ​21st​ ​Week​ ​of​ ​Caring​ ​project-Harvest​ ​House​ ​VII,​ ​are both​ ​aimed​ ​at​ ​helping​ ​low-income​ ​kids​ ​and​ ​their​ ​families.

To​ ​volunteer​ ​or​ ​get​ ​involved​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way,​ ​please​ ​contact:​ ​Patricia​ ​Tarasovic,​ ​Vice President​ ​of​ ​Community​ ​Engagement​ ​at​ ​(203)​ ​926-9478​ ​or​ ​visit:​ ​​www.valleyunitedway.org​.

Ansonia Nature Center Announces Late Summer, Fall Programs

MONDAY NIGHT TRAIL RUN – Mondays in August, September, October, 5:30-6:30 pm

This is a call to all of the runners who want something that is out of the ordinary! Ranger Dan will lead you through our 156-acre network of trails, while you burn off the weekend's extra calories. We guarantee that this FREE program is the best way to start off your week.  Please register and wear appropriate footwear.

 

FAMILY ORGANIC GARDEN PROGRAM – Tuesdays, August, September and October

ANC will be continuing family-friendly activities in our organic garden. Learn about growing a variety of fruits and vegetables. Dress appropriately; keep in mind you will get water and soil on your clothing. FREE, with the potential to take home fresh local produce!

 

FIBER ARTS GROUP – Tuesdays starting Sept. 5, 5:30–7:30 pm

Get together with others to work on your fiber arts projects! Bring any kind of fiber work—knitting, felting, crocheting, etc. A great way to dedicate time to your handiwork and socialize too. FREE.

 

FALL TERM JUNIOR RANGERS – Registration.begins Thurs. Sept. 7; class runs Thursdays, Sept. 14–Nov. 2, 3:30–5 pm.

Calling all kids 11 to 14 years old who love nature! Has your child wanted to work with animals, garden, help maintain our trails, and help with special events? This is the opportunity to help the Nature Center in our 8-week after-school program. Parental permission is required. Class size is limited; this class fills up fast! FREE.

 

NATURE EXPLORERS – Wednesdays, Sept. 20, 27; Oct. 4, 11, 10 am

Join Wendy for our preschool/toddler program. This 4-week session is for children ages 2–5 years old with an adult. These outdoor classes will be fun exploring and learning through play. We will learn about nature and science through activities such as hiking, exploring, singing, games, reading, and making crafts. Every class is outside!!!! TUITION: $40 per 4-week session (cash or check payable to Ansonia Nature Center).

 

BIRDS ON THE MOVE – Sat. Sept. 30, 9 am

Join Ranger Jess for this informative program. She will concentrate on the end-of-summer journeys taken by our “flying friends” to faraway places each year. Find out who’s going and who’s staying put! FREE.

 

To register for all events please call (203)736-1053.

 

Grief Education Center Creates Memorial Garden

VCF Board Chariman Alan Tyma and Adam's House
Founder/CEO Allison Wysota

SHELTON – A $2,500 grant from the Valley Community Foundation helped volunteers with Adam’s House construct a front garden on June 14 that encircles the memorial walkway at the nonprofit grief education center at 241 Coram Ave.

 

Adam’s House Founder and Executive Director Allison Wysota said, “We are thrilled that our front garden surrounding our memorial walkway is now a beautiful, welcoming space that will offer peace and healing not only to grieving children and families that enter our program, but to all in the Shelton community that pass by our doors.”

 

As part of the Adam’s House “Healing Hearts” program, children can create a commemorative brick to place on the memorial walkway to honor and celebrate the life a loved one.

 

The Valley Community Foundation grant funded the plantings and construction of the gardens that encompass the memorial walkway.

 

“Valley Community Foundation (VCF) President and CEO Sharon Closius works closely with our program officer and community grants committee to make smart investments in the changing needs and opportunities of the Valley,” said Alan Tyma, VCF Board Chair. “The Foundation is thrilled to be able to support the mission of the Adam’s House at the maximum level of our community grants, ranging from $250-$2,500. One focus of the Foundation is to strengthen the impact of small nonprofits, those with fewer than two full-time or fewer than four part-time staff, by supporting a variety of community engagement efforts. Based on their presentation, Adam’s House should be a valuable member of our community for a long time.”

 

The Olde Ripton Garden Club in Shelton led by Garden Designer Renee Marsh, owner of A Simpler Place, contributed the project’s landscape design. Twelve volunteers from the Shelton office of Nasdaq made up the labor force that turned Marsh’s landscape design into reality. During a warm, sunny day, the Nasdaq volunteers cheerfully planted a new array of hydrangeas, lilies, catmint, roses, a dogwood tree and other plantings to create the memorial walkway landscaping and front garden. 

 

(This is a press release from Adam's House)

Kids, parents create butterfly garden at Irving School in Derby

Earth Day project brings families together

Pictured from left are Trevor Ceravone, Ash Lewandowski, and Christopher Coppola. / Contributed photo

DERBY - In honor of Earth Day, families from Irving, Bradley and St. Mary-St. Michael Schools in Derby joined together to create a butterfly garden in front of Irving School.

Families unite by ways of a FASTWORKS group organized by Valley Kids Belong (a project of the Parent Child Resource Center) in Derby. 

FASTWORKS focuses on maintaining positive relationships between families and the community. During this year FASTWORKS has held events such as a cleanup at Osbornedale State Park, bowling, picnics, pumpkin picking and are currently planning their next event geared toward cleaning the community. 

Families from these three schools are happy to come together to continue to give back to their community.

For information about Valley Kids Belong call Lauren Jassil, Program Coordinator, 203-893-0402.


This post is taken from a press release from the Parent Child Resource Center.

Workshops to highlight composting, beekeeping

Events to be held in Ansonia, Woodbridge

ANSONIA - Spring is coming and the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center and Massaro Farm in Woodbridge are getting ready to host workshops March 23 to educate the community about gardening and more.

Organic land care, planting an edible landscape, and nurturing our backyard pollinators will be topics of the day.

At noon March 23 the Massaro Farm will host a visit by the "Duck Truck" Composting Workshop at the nature center. It follows a Beekeeping Workshop scheduled at 10 a.m. at the farm on Ford Road.

The goal of the farm is to expand workshops "to provide topics that would appeal to and educate our surrounding community on how best to maintain a yard that is both appealing and beneficial to supporting our natural environment," said Jason Merrill, board president, Massaro Community Farm.

The Duck Truck Composting is the brainchild of Alexis Wilcox, a teacher, master gardener and composter who offers a host of landscaping services.

The Duck Truck, a traveling composting works pace, is based in Hamden. It makes numerous appearances throughout the year educating both kids and adults on the ease and benefits of diverting our green scraps to the compost pile.

Registration for this free workshop is not required, but is appreciated. Call 203-736-1053.

Shelton school dedicates community garden

Intermediate school starts garden club, composting program

One of the raised beds

Part of new 300-foot long split-rail fence

By Kenneth Saranich
Headmaster
Shelton Intermediate School  

SHELTON - The Shelton Intermediate School community garden is in its early stages.

We started last April vacation when the first five raised beds were built.  Students then spent the next couple of weeks placing, leveling, and filling the beds with garden soil.
The first tomato plants were transplanted from seeds grown in the classroom in late May. Over the summer, with the help of SIS faculty and community we installed 300 feet of split rail fence for two purposes. It will hopefully keep out any animals and it is also aesthetically pleasing.

Two smaller beds were planted on the fence line to accommodate climbing vegetables.

On Oct. 1 the school started the SIS Composting Program.  

The goal is to collect all compostable food waste, store it in compost bins that have been built on site by students, and then utilize the finished compost in the raised beds.
The entire school community including students, staff, and cafeteria workers will participate in the daily collecting of food waste through learned waste reduction techniques.

Growing will continue through winter
The SIS Garden Club will install an unheated hoop house over five raised beds this fall so that growing can continue throughout the winter months with cool season vegetable varieties.

The club will be responsible for weekly maintenance of the garden as well as decision making on crop rotations, harvesting times, planting dates, etc. 

The ultimate vision for the garden is to have approximately 30 raised beds that can be parceled out to individual teachers as desired for unique lessons/experiments.
The remaining beds will be dedicated to growing vegetables by the garden club for harvest and use in the school cafeteria as well as for sale at an on-site vegetable stand.

We are very excited about the community-building and learning opportunities that our new garden will provide to our students.
In such a short time, the garden has already had a very positive influence on our school community.

All are welcomed to stop by SIS anytime and see the work that we have done and plan to do.


And check out the school's community garden site for more information.