Wednesday, April 22, 2009

April Showers, Vegetables, Seedlings

Spring is in full swing at the Growing Hope Center.

Look for Growing Hope produce at Vinology in Ann Arbor and Beezy's in Ypsilanti. On May 5th you can purchase fresh veggies, herbs, and transplants at the Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers Market.

Growing Hope's crew of dedicated volunteers have been instrumental in our big spring projects so far. We've been woodchuck proofing the hoophouse, potting up seedlings donated from Raker and the Michigan State Student Organic Farm. We've also been spending many hours putting together 12" pots for our Spring Plant Sale.

Jeff McCabe of The Selma Cafe lead the construction of installation of a roll up side for the hoophouse. Local carpenter Ian built us a barn door for the hoophouse. Stop by the Growing Hope Center at 922 W. Michigan Ave. sometime and check it out.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Seed Starting Squad

light stand adjustment

This is the light stand that Growing Hope friend Josh Smith helped me to design. Light stand building was conducted by wood working extrordonnaires Geri Durka-Pelok and Scott Pelok, as well as Cristy Lindemann and the Washtenaw Community College School of Construction Technology . The above mentioned all derserve a rousing standing ovation for their long skilled hours spent making this project possible.

Growing Hope offered them to the community as part of our pilot Seed Starting Squad project, which addresses our lack of indoor heated space and peoples desires to learn to grow seedlings. Growing Hope offered light stands on a sliding scale price range that is lower than any other light stands on the market. We were also able to lend light stands to those unable to afford purchase.

Response was rapid and eagar and we quickly reached our limit of participants in the project.

Some Seed Starting Squad participants are experienced growers, but many are growing for the first time. I think it's telling of the times that so many people are interested in learning how to grow their own food, from seed to plate. Seed starters are asked to grow two flats of seedlings for Growing Hope, and are able to grow two more for themselves with the light stand.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Seed Starting Squad - Round 1

SSS

Last Saturday's sunny Seed Starting Squad distribution day was well attended. Seed Starters have volunteered to grow seedlings for Growing Hope this season. "Seed Starters" and other volunteers showed up promptly at 10 am eager to roll up their sleeves and get dirty.

Inside the house, folks with tools assembled light stands, bolting together pieces of wood used to hold the florescent shop lights, underneath which the herb and vegetable seedlings will grow. Seed Starters purchased grow light stands built by Growing Hope, including two 48" shop lights and bulbs.

Out back in the hoophouse, a multi-generational group mixed potting soil, filled flats, and seeded parsley and lettuce among other early crops. The sun shone bright and the temperature hit 80 degrees inside the hoophouse despite chilly 20 degree temperatures outside.

Seed Starting Squad volunteers took home seeded flats to care for Growing Hope's seedlings this spring. Growing Hope will gather up seedling flats in April once night time temperatures heat up!

Thank you all for a great day!

kits waiting to go home

building

weeding lowers blood pressure!

Friday, December 19, 2008

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Originally uploaded by growinghope
This is a test entry on the new Growing Hope Center blog. Let's show the world our progress at the GHC!

-Dan