Although it is still winter, right now, we can prep mentally and physically for spring/gardening time! Want to plan out a new garden space? Buy new tools? Try out new crops? It’s not a bad idea to figure things out now so you don’t have to when spring weather is officially here!
Cold temps? No Problem!
With these cold temps and frosts occurring its easy to think that your garden is done for the year. Well, I am here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be! You can find out more details, via the links below, on what to plant in the fall and what can be planted right now even with the frost looming over head!
Planting a Fall Vegetable Garden
Fall Vegetable Crops for your Garden
Check out this “Frost Tolerance of Fall Vegetables” chart to see what you can still grow right now!
OVG at Farm Science Review!!!!
Come say “Hi” to the Ohio Dept. of Agriculture – Ohio Victory Garden Team at the Farm Science Review Event and get some seed at our self-serve seed station!!!
2022 OH-IO Victory Garden Success!
We are so happy to see the photos from this past spring of the distribution of the OVG sample seed packet handouts!
With over 19000 OVG Sample seed packets distributed across Ohio in Spring of 2022!!!
Ohio State University Extension offices, Volunteer Master Gardeners, and Soil and Water Conservation offices made it possible! OVG sample seed packets were distributed to potential gardeners through community cupboards, food pantries, libraries, organizations, events, first responders’ sites and more!
Keep your eyes peeled in Spring of 2023 for round four of Ohio Victory Garden Sample seed packet giveaways! Future updates will be posted on this page!
Submitted by Lynn Huston, Interim PCMGV Coordinator
Survey Tool Kit WINNERS!
Thank you to all those who participated in the Ohio Victory Garden Survey! Winners have been selected and we hope you love your tool kit!
Check out our Facebook announcement!
Congrats to:
Rachel in Van Wert,
Zach in Marietta,
Kelsey in Freeport,
Amy in Lima,
Martha in Fayetteville,
Leann in Willowick,
Brianna in Ashville,
Lauren in Columbus,
and
Melissa in Chippewa Lake!
How is your garden going?
It is a beautiful day in the Sylvania Area Family Services (SAFS) garden that is participating as one of the Victory Gardens in Lucas County Ohio. The garden has been used as an outdoor classroom for their summer camp, and all produce is harvested and distributed as part of their weekly choice food pantry.
The sunflowers just began blooming and bring a smile to everyone’s face who visits the garden!
The cucumbers in the garden are coming on strong. We have trellised the cucumbers with metal posts and twine.
It is important at this time of the year to keep up on harvesting, to keep the plants producing.
A huge thank you to Master Gardener Volunteers Barb, Cathy and Grace for your hard work in the garden; Jess our 4-H Educator and Patrice our FCS Educator for the educational sessions for youth; and the Sylvania Area Family Services as the host site.
How is your garden going? Share your Ohio Victory Garden pictures with us via email at: OhioVictoryGardens@agri.ohio.gov
#livesmartlucas #growsmartlucas #ohiovictorygarden
Blog post by:
Amy K. Stone
Ohio State University
Lucas County Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources
OSU at Metropark’s Toledo, Toledo Botanical Garden
The Dig – What we are all about!
Victory Gardens originated during World War I, an answer to a severe food shortage at the time. People were encouraged to find any usable space, plop in some seeds and contribute homegrown fruits, vegetables and herbs to the effort. The idea was wildly successful, growing an army of amateur gardeners and serving to boost morale and patriotism.
While we’re not in wartime, we can all commiserate the past few months have been tough, mood-boosters are welcomed. So the Ohio Department of Agriculture and Ohio State University are reviving the effort and once again inspiring people to get their hands dirty, realize the fruits of their labor and share with others if inspired. We believe a good day in the garden is good for the soul.
Pollen Power
SOOOOO, you’ve begun to think about your 2022 garden, you’re itching for spring to be here and for that growing season to start? But have you given much thought about pollinators?
Pollinators have a mutualistic relationship with plants. Food for the pollinators, and distribution of pollen to allow plants to reproduce. But plants are not the only ones who benefit from the work that pollinators perform. Without pollinators, we wouldn’t have a great many of the fruits and veggies that most of us love. Not to mention, Honey, need I say more?
But what does your garden have to do with pollinators? Well, having pollinators frequent your garden, big or small, is a must! But some plants are higher on the list of what pollinators love.
Now when we talk about pollinators, we aren’t just talking about honeybees, we are talking about wasps, bees, moths, and butterflies to name a few.
U.S. Forest Service
And there are many ways to make your garden a pollinator friendly garden. You can add bee homes, create a butterfly waystation, and plant pollinator loving plants and just like that, you have yourself a pollinator loving space! Not sure where to start? Check out these pages that are filled with great information.
How to Build a Pollinator House
How to Build a Pollinator Garden
Attracting Pollinators to the Garden
Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden Using Native Plants
HOWEVER, please do your research!!! Not all plants are good for our native pollinators.
Check out these pages below for details on how some plants are causing issues for our pollinators.
Invasive Plant Species Can Hurt Both Pollinators and Native Plant Communities
Check out our OSU Extension Franklin County YouTube Channel for Great Videos on Growing, Harvesting, and Cooking Fresh Produce
Check out these great videos to get a jump start on planning your garden for 2022!
CLICK HERE to Visit our YouTube Channel
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What’s in your Yard?
Winter can sometimes be a good time to see what is growing in your yard. Check out this great BYGL Alert to read all about it! Go out to your yard during this warmer spell and see what you find!
Can you take clear images? Check out this cool app that is your one stop for identifying insects and plants! iNaturalist App