Growing Together: Open Forum

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  • 1.  Garden Ready-to-Go Goodie Bag Ideas

    Posted 5 days ago

    We have a youth gardening club at our local library, and we're hoping to welcome more kids-especially since many daycare groups visit us regularly. My own love for gardening began with a goodie bag I received at a friend's birthday party. Inside was a tiny terra-cotta pot and a packet of flower seeds, and watching my very first plant grow was incredibly exciting. I'd love to pass that same joy on to the next generation.

    We're applying for a grant to support this effort, and I'm brainstorming ideas for a garden‑themed goodie bag to encourage kids to join our club. I'm considering including a small grow bag, pre‑measured soil, and a packet of seeds. I'm also wondering whether it might be simpler to purchase ready‑made flower or herb grow kits-or even those upside‑down tomato kits-so everything is fully contained and easy for families. Our neighborhood faces significant economic challenges, with many single‑parent households and parents working multiple jobs, so we want these goodie bags to be fun, simple, and completely stress‑free.

    Do you have suggestions for easy, child‑friendly gardening items that could spark interest without requiring anything extra at home? 

    Thanks!



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    Adrianna Wang
    MS
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  • 2.  RE: Garden Ready-to-Go Goodie Bag Ideas

    Posted 5 days ago

    This is such a wonderful initiative. That memory of your first terra-cotta pot is the perfect "why" because it's those small, tactile moments that turn a curious kid into a lifelong gardener. Given the economic and time constraints of your neighborhood, the goal is to eliminate the barrier to entry. If a kit requires a specific sunny windowsill and there isn't one or a gallon of distilled water, it might sit in the bag. Given the economic and time constraints of your neighborhood, the goal is to eliminate "barriers to entry." If a kit requires a specific sunny windowsill they don't have, or a gallon of distilled water, it might sit in the bag like instead of a pot and soil, include a clear snack-sized Ziploc bag, two cotton balls, and a few scarlet runner beans or sugar snap peas.  Or how about going the DIY route by making or buying seed paper (wildflowers or herbs). Instead of full-sized veggies, provide a tiny container with a coco coir disk (which expands with water) and radish or broccoli seeds. You can also use a clear plastic 9-oz cup, a few sheets of paper towels, and a bean.  Instead of full-sized veggies, provide a tiny container with a coco coir disk (which expands with water) and radish or broccoli seeds.

    I hope this helps.



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    Tina Steiner
    Round Rock TX
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  • 3.  RE: Garden Ready-to-Go Goodie Bag Ideas

    Posted 5 days ago
    Thanks for sharing, Tina. I wasn't aware that seed paper existed


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    Adrianna Wang
    MS
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  • 4.  RE: Garden Ready-to-Go Goodie Bag Ideas

    Posted 4 days ago

    Hi, I love the Library Garden Club idea.  This may not work but I think herbs are a great way to introduce gardening. Most of 

    them grow like weeds and need little special care.  A big pot (garden centers sometime recycle or would donate the big plastic

    pots) and herb seeds or baby plants. I would include recipes and care info.  This would be a good hour workshop for the kids 

    and families to do together as a take home project

    Janet Lawson.  



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    Janet Lawson
    Ruskin Elementary School, Dayton Public School System
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  • 5.  RE: Garden Ready-to-Go Goodie Bag Ideas

    Posted 4 days ago

    Janet, thanks for your idea of growing herbs!  I think we will start with basil which is easy to grow.



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    Adrianna Wang
    MS
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