Now that we’ve celebrated the first day of Spring and welcomed a new season of growth and opportunity into our lives, it’s time to get started on planting a “garden for good”!

Gardens are oftentimes a way for individuals who are facing food insecurity to help supplement their grocery trips with produce grown at home. With inflation and growing costs of living, the opportunity to provide fresh, healthy food is invaluable. 

For individuals looking to help their neighbors facing hunger – consider planting a garden with your family and donating the extra produce to your neighbors needing a helping hand. Community gardens are also an ideal way to get everyone of all ages involved while ensuring that everything grown is available for anyone to take and enjoy.

Excited to get started but not really sure where to start? We’ve got some great tips and resources for you!

4 Vegetable Gardening Facts:
1.    You don’t have to plant everything at the same time. Make sure you’re planting with the seasons!
2.    Not all crops are easy to grow. New gardeners might want to stick to “beginner-friendly” plants to get started.
3.    Keep on top of weeds!
4.    Make sure you’re budgeting in order to get the most out of your garden. 

5 Vegetables That Are Easy To Grow:
1.    Tomatoes
2.    Lettuces
3.    Peppers
4.    Cucumbers
5.    Peas

You might be able to visit your local library for help getting started!

Some libraries have a “Seed Library” where visitors can “check out” seasonal seeds in order to plant gardens each season. The collections usually include both commercial and home-saved seeds in a variety of herb, flower and vegetable collections on both the easy, medium and hard levels. 
How it works:
1.    Select your seeds.
2.    Check-out your seeds.
3.    Grow your plants.
4.    Harvest your seeds.
5.    Share some seeds.

We can’t wait to hear all about the garden that are planted in your communities this Spring and Summer in the fight against hunger!