Hello, hello! My name is Taylor Pond and I’m the new K-12 Schoolyard Gardens Coordinator. Though I have only been with KCCG for a little over a week, I am certain that I’m exactly in the place I’m meant to be. This role is helping me to fulfill my dream of becoming a healthy and […]
Often people will comment on how fun my job at Kansas City Community Gardens sounds, and I will agree. I love working towards our SYG mission of building gardens with students who then get to grow their very own veggies. I feel so fortunate to have been a part of the Schoolyard Gardens program for […]
This week we’d like to spotlight an event held yearly by one of our community partners, Cultivate KC. They are holding their 18th Annual Farmers & Friends Meeting on Saturday, February 11th from 8am-1pm at Plexpod Westport Commons. You can check out the agenda, speakers, sponsors, and other details as well as register here: https://www.cultivatekc.org/events/annual-farmers-friends-meeting-3/ […]
Winter months and cold temperatures provide a perfect time for gardens to rest and our soil, with all the wonderful little microbes living within, to rejuvenate. This rest period is crucial and truly something to be thankful for as it readies the garden for the next round of seeds and seedlings you’ll plant in the […]
Last week, Center High School’s garden club toured Kansas City Community Garden’s Beanstalk and greenhouse. Typically, we host tours through the Beanstalk between March and early November when the plants are alive and growing. Still determined to come out and visit, I warned them that the Beanstalk will look a lot different during the winter […]
This fall we asked schools to try out the Taste Test Tool for another season to find out which veggies students would like to eat again. New this season, we also asked students, “which veggie are you trying for the first time?” We had 28 schools submit taste test results during the two month-long competition. […]
Last week, Kansas City experienced the first snow of the season. Which immediately prompts me dig out my favorite “go to” recipes I like to make during the cold winter months. I’m always on the lookout for new recipes to showcase at upcoming holiday gatherings. Here are just a few that I have found so […]
While most veggies from the garden have been harvested by now or are soon to be, there’s one that gets the garden all to itself over the fall/winter season – Garlic! We recommend planting garlic between Nov. 15th – Dec. 15th, but watch the weather for any unusually warm days and avoid these for planting. […]
This October, during a check-in at Grandview High School I had the opportunity to meet with the Water Gardens Society of Greater Kansas City and learn more about their mission. Water Gardens Society of Greater Kansas City is a not-for-profit organization that supports the construction, preservation, and appreciation of water gardens throughout the Kansas […]
As the temperatures turn from crisp to cold, it’s time to consider closing down your schoolyard garden for the season. Unsure how to get started? Fear not! We have a quick how-to video and guide sheet to assist you. Now that you know the how, let’s talk about the why. Why should you close down […]
Kansas City Community Gardens offers 9 locations throughout the Kansas City area to rent garden space. Whether you are dealing with a shady backyard, an apartment, or a rental house or you just need more room to grow, a community garden rental plot can solve these problems. Each of our garden sites has a […]
This week, SYG is excited to highlight another wonderful program here at KCCG, the Community Partner Gardens (CPG) program. We asked Carter, the Community Partner Gardens Coordinator, to give us an overview of the program and here is what he had to say – The Community Partner Gardens program’s mission is to assist community groups, […]
October is here, which means it’s time to harvest your sweet potatoes! A question I often get is, “How will I know when it’s time to harvest my sweet potatoes”? I will tell them two things… The first thing to do is take a peek! In September follow a sweet potato vine to where it […]
SYG is excited to announce that this season we’ll have Harvest Party Kits available for schools to check out…for FREE! Harvest parties are a wonderful way to celebrate the end of a garden season and a fun way for students to sample the veggies they’ve grown in simple recipes. There are 3 kit options available – […]
This week we’ve asked our Multimedia Developer, Rob, to give us a recap of this year’s Gardens at Sunset event. As you’ll read in the following account, we had to make a few pivots throughout the rainy night, but a little rain can’t scare a way a bunch of gardeners! Without exception, the guests, staff […]
Around this time of year, we get excited to highlight one of our awesome programs here at KCCG; The Leanna Flandermeyer Beanstalk Children’s Garden, more commonly called, the Beanstalk. This beautiful sensory garden is located at our headquarters in Swope Park and is a beloved fieldtrip destination for folks of all ages. We asked one […]
As a gardener, you may know that amending soil with compost yields a healthier– more productive harvest. Here at Kansas City Community Gardens, we believe (as funny as this sounds) that “our volunteers are like compost to a garden”. With the help of our volunteers, KCCG’s mission is strengthened and continues to grow, reaching out […]
