Audience: Urban Farmer

Community Garden Mapping Project plus other updates

Over the past several years a group of local stakeholders including Franklin Park Conservatory, OSU Extension, the Knowledge Exchange, the City of Columbus, and Franklin County have worked to create a map of the community gardens and urban farms in central Ohio.  This will be used to assist new growers find space to grow, build capacity in urban agriculture, and identify spaces where new urban growing space is needed. A huge shout out to the Franklin Park Conservatory’s Growing to Green program for providing continued leadership for this initiative.

 

CLICK on the MAP below to go to the maps website at Franklin Park Conservatory where you can search for more information about the gardens and farms.

We are still looking to add new community gardens and urban farms.  If your space has not been added, CLICK HERE to add your urban agricultural space to the map.

There has been some new guidance from the City of Columbus regarding community gardens:

For community gardens in the City of Columbus that need to dispose of food scraps, yard/garden waste, recyclables, and/or trash, we have a few options (in order of preference):

·         Bring the waste home: if volunteers or garden members have the ability to bring their waste home, they can dispose of that in their current refuse container, recycling bin, or yard waste collection.

·         Waste and Reuse Convenience Center: There are two centers, one at 2100 Alum Creek Drive and another at 1550 Georgesville Road (opening early October) that are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm. At these sites, trash, garden waste, food scraps, and recyclables can all be accepted. This is a free option with evening and weekend hours. These sites are also staffed by City employees that can help individuals that stop by.

·         Collection at gardens: In the event that home trash and coming to one of the Convenience Centers is not an option, gardens can bag their trash and email keepcolumbusbeauitful@columbus.gov or call 614-645-2421 and request a trash pickup. They will need to note where the trash bags were left in the public right of way and how many bags. Refuse staff will attempt a collection within the next 72 hours. This is only for trash and not recycling or yard waste.

As we continue to evaluate what services may be needed, we will work with gardens and community partners to adapt this program to best suit both operational and community needs.

Making Food at Home to Sell: Virtual Q & A Sessions

My colleagues at OSU Extension are hosting a series of virtual Q and A Sessions on the topic: Making Food at Home to sell.  This is a topic of interest to many urban farmers and is sure to provide a wealth of knowledge.  The series is free but does require registration. The registration link is below.

Here are the topics and dates/times:

Register here: go.osu.edu/virtualQA24

Each virtual Q&A session will begin with a 5–10-minute presentation.

You do not need to come prepared with questions. Feel free to drop in to listen!

*Please note that these virtual Q&As solely pertain to foods approved to be made at home (in Ohio) with the intention to sell them (e.g., cottage foods and home bakery products).

Learn more about Controlled Environment Agriculture

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is where we grow faster and more efficiently, using less water and nutrients by controlling the inputs such as light, temperature, pH, water, and nutrient delivery.  A lot of people know about CEA as hydroponics.  Ohio’s #1 industry is agriculture and our fastest growing segment is controlled environment agriculture.  Ohio is now the number TWO state in the nation in the indoor production of fruit, vegetables, and herbs!  There is a lot of opportunity in agriculture.  My largest program is engaging youth in agriculture in workforce development in their classrooms so they can see if agriculture is something they enjoy as a possible career.  I have a ton of information to share about CEA for you to learn more.

Growing Teachers Throughout the Seasons is a USDA NIFA grant project that created a guidebook with supplemental online modules to engage teachers and students in schools in agriculture.  It was pilot tested by 46 teachers from Columbus City Schools so it is data-driven and teacher informed. Reach out to me at mcdermott.15@osu.edu if you would like to get GTS into your schools to engage your kiddos in agriculture.

Hydroponics at Home! Did you know you can grow all year long using hydroponics in your home?  It is fun and easy.  Check out this video to learn more about Home Hydroponics.

 

Extension Today at Howlett – OSU’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences has classes on controlled environment agriculture in our Horticulture and Crop Sciences Department. Learn more about what the students are doing in this video.

 

Extension Today at the CEARC – come take a tour of OSU’s brand new research greenhouse, the CEARC!

 

Want to learn more? Email me at mcdermott.15@osu.edu

 

A Garden Walk @ Mari Sunami Community Garden on Thursday June 27th @ 6pm.

I have been collaborating with Community Development for All People on the South Side for the past several years to increase urban agricultural production by bringing the former South Side Settlement House garden, now named Mari Sunami Community Garden back in to production.  It is an exciting project for me due to the location and the history.  A wonderful, large space with full sun and amazing possibilities.

You are invited to attend a garden walk on Thursday June 27th @ 6pm at Mari Sunami.  We will talk tomato pruning, integrated pest management, and summer veggies. Plus any of your questions.  Hopefully this heat goes away by then! The event is free and open to the public so bring your friends and your questions!

The above picture shows the garden looking north getting ready for spring planting.  Plans include soil amendments and a water line in 2024.

Mari Sunami Community Garden can be a little tricky to find.  The above picture shows its location between Innis and Woodrow on the South Side.  CLICK HERE for the Google map link as well.  The address is 248 Stanaford Pl. Columbus, OH 43207

Tomatoes 101 Class at the Mt. Carmel Healthy Living Center @ 3pm on Tuesday June 18th.

I will be teaching an in-person class on Tomatoes 101 in collaboration with my friends at the Mt. Carmel Healthy Living Center at 3pm on Tuesday June 18th.  The class is free and open to the public, but does require registration,  see the link below.  We will talk fertilization, pruning, and trellising so bring your friends and your questions!

The class is free but does require registration.  CLICK HERE for the link to the registration page for the Tomatoes 101 and other classes.

The Mt. Carmel Healthy Living Center is located at 777 W. State St. Columbus, OH 43222.  Free parking is available on site.  Hope to see you there!

If you cannot make the class,  I have a recorded webinar that you can watch whenever you want to learn more about growing healthy tomatoes.

Summer Vegetable Gardening Class at the Grandview Library on Tuesday May 21st, 2024 at 6:30pm

I will be teaching a class on Summer Vegetable Gardening at the Grandview Heights Public Library on Tuesday May 21st @ 6:30pm.  We will discuss what to plant now, our summer weather projections, fertilization, and what bugs to look out for plus your questions.  The event is free and open to the public so bring your friends and your questions!

 

CLICK HERE for directions to the Grandview Heights Public Library.

 

Food Justice Conversation at Broad St. Presbyterian Church on Sunday May 19th @ 11:30am

Being able to eat good food is fundamental to our wellbeing. Food nourishes us, reflects our families and cultures, and brings us together in community.  Food justice means that good food and enough nourishing food is available to all.  Join us this Sunday, May 19, 11:30 AM at the Broad Street Presbyterian Church for a conversation with Tim McDermott, Assistant Professor and Extension Educator at the Ohio State University and Brian Landers, Food Educator at Local Matters about what is happening and what could happen here in our city and at the Broad Street Food Pantry to cultivate food justice in our community.

Pic credit: BSPC

Directions to Broad St. Presbyterian Church

Growing and Using Herbs Class at the Urban Farm Church on Wednesday May 8th @ 6pm

Jenny and I will be co-teaching a class at the Urban Farm Church on Growing and Using Herbs on Wednesday May 8th @ 6pm.  The class is free and open to the public but UFC does ask for registration so they know how much snacks to make!  Bring your friends and your questions.  If the weather is OK, we can do a walking tour of their amazing farm.

Click here to view, print, or download the flyer –> May 8 flyer

Click here for directions to the Urban Farm Church.

Register using the QR code, the go link at   –>    go.osu.edu/herbsworkshop

OR Click HERE to register.

Hope to see you there!

School Garden Week of April 22nd, 2024

This is a weekly look at what is happening in the school garden to assist teacher educators engage their students in agriculture.  It can be used by garden students of all ages however!

Send me some pics!  I know we have some growing going on right now!

Guess what?  The online modules to support Growing Teachers Throughout the Seasons are LIVE!! You can access them HERE, or check out the go link  –> go.osu.edu/GTS

First up a weather report to get us through the week for planning on our season extension:

Outside in the raised beds:

Once we get to the 50 degree days and the plants start to increase their growth rate, we will need to fertilize using either the Shake and Feed or the pink crystals that mix in with water that you got from Katie, not the Aerogarden fertilizer.  Make sure to follow the label instructions. Check for your fertilizers now, and if you do not have any, then contact Katie.

With the warm weather and fast growth,  make sure you are watering as needed, once to twice per week, check and water on Fridays before the weekend!

This week:

  • All the days this week are good for harvesting, watering, and fertilizing your plants.  Make sure to allow the beds to warm up before you pop the top open.  Around mid-day is best, especially on Wednesday and Thursday.  Check to see if you need to water.
  • Make sure you keep using the season extension garden cover as we have some cold weather this week!
  • Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday – If you have transplants that need to be planted outside, these days are good for hardening off your plants.  Check out the video below for tips. Wait until the weather warms up on Wednesday before putting your plants outside.
  • Thursday- A good planting and harvest day.  Water your beds if we do not get lots of rain. Make sure to cover your beds before you leave.
  • Friday  – A good planting and harvest day. We are not supposed to have lots of rain this week so make sure to water before you leave for the weekend!

  • Make sure you have your season extension garden cover over your plants, we may have a frost on Sunday night!

Here is a video that details how to harden off your plants prior to transplanting, to minimize transplant shock.

Once the warmer weather gets here, plus the extra sunlight, we anticipate fast growth of the outdoor veggies.

Since we are in great harvest weather, make sure you are following safe harvesting procedures.  Check out this video for some safe harvesting tips.

Have questions about how your plants are doing or if they are big enough to harvest?  Just send me questions and pictures to mcdermott.15@osu.edu

Inside under LED lights:  

CCS Teachers – Try to plant all of your transplants outside in your raised beds as soon as they are ready to go and have been hardened off.  Great growing weather ahead. 

Here is the transplant video if you need a refresher on transplanting:

 

Inside in the Aerogarden:

Hopefully your tomatoes are doing great and you are getting a harvest with your kiddos.  Let me know if you have any questions or problems.  CLICK HERE for the Aerogarden tomato planting guide. If you need tomato pods then contact Katie.

The Aerogarden website has a tremendous amount of content to assist with maintenance of the units, troubleshooting problems, or how to take care of the plants in the system.

This yellow cherry tomato looks great! Well pruned, fertilized, and pollinated and producing lots of tomatoes.

Do you need seeds or seed starter for your project?  Contact Katie.

Any questions about your growing?  Email me at mcdermott.15@osu.edu