Planning for Spring

The best way to get through winter is to spend it planning for spring. The Minnesota Project has been working on planting Edible Landscapes across the metro, transforming unused community areas into productive garden space. Our continuing goal is to increase the amount of fresh, healthy, and sustainably raised produce in our communities and in our local food shelves.

By the end of this year, we will have planted a fruit tree orchard at Oxbow Creek elementary, built six garden beds for Evergreen Elementary School, and constructed five raised beds for Beth El Synagogue and Benilde-St. Margaret’s School (pictured below) all made possible by the Hennepin County Public Health Department Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) funding.

We plan to plant these raised garden beds in spring with vegetables, along with several other sites which are still in the developmental stage. For each of these Edible Landscape projects at least half of the harvest will be shared with a local food shelf, and some of the veggies being shared directly with the community. The selected space can be planted with an orchard, garden beds, or a combination of both depending on the preferences of the host site.

How can you help, and plan away the winter? When sifting through your seed catalogs, plan to plant an extra row in your garden with the intent of donating it to your local food shelf. The fresh produce is greatly appreciated (Don’t worry, you are protected legally by the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act) and you will help make a family happier and healthier. For more information visit our program website http://gardengleaning.org/