Happy Earth Day!
We couldn't resist reaching out today, on the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. It is a joy to grow and an even bigger joy to grow together. Even though we can't physically work in the garden together at this time, we wanted to share some information about the space and invite you to participate in socially responsible ways!
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Learning Garden Our learning garden beds last Fall, augmented by hanging flowers to spruce up the space and attract pollinators. | Native Plants Volunteers working to transplant native plants in the garden during one of our Sustainability Garden work days. | Community Plots Krystal Scott, 8th grade, constructed this raised bed, which has been planted with root vegetables for the summer. |
Learning Garden
Our learning garden beds last Fall, augmented by hanging flowers to spruce up the space and attract pollinators.
Native Plants
Volunteers working to transplant native plants in the garden during one of our Sustainability Garden work days.
Community Plots
Krystal Scott, 8th grade, constructed this raised bed, which has been planted with root vegetables for the summer.
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Chives Chives are a perennial herb that overwinter in Chicago well. We already have a hefty batch ready for trimming. | Oregano Oregano is a perennial herb that spreads quickly through gardens. It's a wonderful flavoring in recipes. | Kale Our kale lasted through the winter, and with a little clean-up of the brown leaves, it's back in business. |
Chives
Chives are a perennial herb that overwinter in Chicago well. We already have a hefty batch ready for trimming.
Oregano
Oregano is a perennial herb that spreads quickly through gardens. It's a wonderful flavoring in recipes.
Kale
Our kale lasted through the winter, and with a little clean-up of the brown leaves, it's back in business.
December Plantings
- Garlic: Planted by students in garden club, our garlic is now sprouting and will be ready to harvest in June or July. Before the garlic bulb is ready, a long green curled leaf will develop. Called a garlic scape, this is a delicious fresh form of garlic. We will then dry the bulbs so they can be used in the Fall.
April Plantings
- Radishes: Fast growers, radishes should be ready in May.
- Peas: Pea shoots make tasty snacks, salads, and stir frys.
- Lettuce: Baby leaf lettuce tolerates cool soil.
- Spinach: Giant spinach prefers cool soil, perfect for Spring.
- Beets, Turnips, and Carrots: We have planted beets and other root vegetables in both the school beds and the take-at-will community beds next to the sidewalk.
- Annual Herbs: Basil is ready to transplant. We are going to plant cilantro from seed.
Support Summer Garden Work
Once the shelter-in-place has lifted, we will share a schedule for routine opportunities to get involved in watering, tending plots, and project work days. If you would like to be added to a general community garden email list for Gerber's Garden, email kcarter@uchicagocharter.org to be added to the Google Group.
Seed of Knowledge: Germination
Germination is the biological process of an organism (living thing) developing from a seed. Plants generally require moisture and temperature regulation (often warmth) in order to germinate. Some plants germinate best in light while others germinate in darkness. In the garden, this has meant that the lettuce seeds needed to only be sprinkled with soil, while some seeds needed to be planted half an inch in the soil. We haven't planted certain seeds yet, because they need warmer soil in order to start the germination process. Garlic, on the other hand, was planted in December because it needed a deep freeze to support its germination.
The word root germ- refers to "seed" and derives from Latin. That means that when we talk about germs and washing them off our hands, we're talking about how we need to remove the tiny living things (viruses, bacteria, etc.) that can spread diseases. They're like the "seeds" of infectious disease.
Gerber's Garden @ UChicago Charter Woodlawn Campus