How does your garden grow?

It’s that time of year! Time for fun in the sun, enjoying some lazy time outdoors, and of course- Gardening!

Earlier in June, Christy and Mike spent some time planting the raised garden bed at the Playhouse, and wow, was it fun!

They planted eggplant, bell peppers, a miniature tomato and basil. They did an awesome job, learning about what plants need (water and sun!), how to keep them healthy , and how to harvest basil. They even got a chance to try a nibble of basil – have YOU tried it?

Did you know, the best time of day to water outdoor plants is first thing in the morning, and to water them at the base of the plant (not over the tops of the leaves)? This helps reduce the risk of plant diseases and keeps your plant watered before the hot summer day.

The raised bed is doing GREAT, and is being cared for each day by participants who are watering each of the plants and checking them to ensure they are doing well. Nice work, team! One of the bell peppers already has a little pepper growing, and there are also tomatoes and more tomato blossoms on our miniature tomato.

The basil (tall plant on the left in photo) is absolutely bursting with leaves – and it needs your help!

Basil LOVES to be harvested, and the plant will put on more and more leaves if it is regularly pruned. Basil can be used for so many things – for a delicious pesto, a simple tomato and basil salad (feel free to add mozzarella!), or even as simply as an infusion with fruit (try with berries) in your bottle of water. To pick basil – choose the larger leaves first, and using the tip of your finger/fingernail, break the leaf away cleanly at the base of the stem. The leaves pick easily and you’ll be doing everyone (including yourself) a favor by keeping the plant healthy AND enjoying some delicious fresh basil. If you’re not confident, please ask Carissa and she can help, or pick some for you and leave it in the playhouse refrigerator to take home.

The raised garden will be going throughout the summer, and produce will be shared in a bin at the front of the Playhouse. There will be a Facebook post when new produce is put in the bin, but also just check anytime you’re at the Playhouse and take home something fresh and delicious. Maybe you’ll find a new family favorite (eggplant, anyone?)!

We can’t wait to do more gardening and hope you will join us for planting houseplants for your homes and as gifts for our volunteers!

• July 20 during Teen Talk with Teens
• July 26 with kids in conjunction with a music class
• August 15 during Coffee Club with adults.

Visit the Playhouse Calendar and sign up to join us and plant a houseplant to take home and enjoy!

Until then – tell us, what do YOU grow at home? Do you have plants, flowers, or vegetables? Reply below with your favorites. We can’t wait to see you for the houseplants program!