The Gardens at the Getty Center

Bougenvilla

Roof top cactus garden overlooking L.A.

Lovely and poisonous Brugmansia tree

Gorgeous flower garden

Succulent

School Garden Grant Opportunities

The Whole Kids Garden grant kit just arrived (hanging my head in shame--I started this blog post April 1st). In the kit are some great resources to start and maintain a school garden program.

First, additional grant opportunities:

The National Gardening Association
Click on 'Grants and Awards" to find a plethora of grants specifically geared to gardening with children. Stay up t date at http://grants.kidsgardening.org

Annie's Garden Grants

www.annies.com/giving-back/school-gardens/grants-for-gardens

 Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education (SFE) Fund

http://www.wildones.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/SFE-Cover-Letter.pdf

Goals should focus on the enhancement and development of an appreciation for nature using native plants.

Captain Planet Foundation
http://captainplanetfoundation.org

American Heart Association
This multi-year grant program provides direct support to school gardens. To learn more about requirements for this program email: teachinggardens@heart.org.

What's Blooming

Geum 'fire storm'--perennial

Iceland poppies--cool season annuals

Iberis sempervirens-perennial

Bergenia--shade perennial 

Lunaria-cool season annual

Sensation lilac--shrub

Horse chestnut tree

Quiet Morning

Quiet morning at Red Butte Garden.

School Garden

Back in October I applied for a $2,000 garden grant from the Whole Kids Foundation. I was just informed that the school received the grant and will receive the funds mid-March. I'm excited to expand on the little garden that exists and to promote healthy living by teaching the children the magic and wonder of gardening.

Here is the existing garden area.

Hardy Hibiscus

 

Hardy hibiscus is a beautiful, tropical-looking perennial that tolerates the cold.  All they ask for is full sun, decent soil, and some pruning at the end of the season. They leaf out very late in spring, so don't think they're dead and give up on them.

Hydroponic Gardens for Small Spaces

1.  This indoor/outdoor hydroponic garden comes from  Zero Mile Farms and is called a Fizzy Farm. It is compact and perfect fro small spaces and beginning gardeners.   When temperatures get too cold, you can attach an energy efficient bulb and move the farm indoors.

2. For the do-it-yourself group, there is a the Eliooo Manual with step-by-step instructions on how to build a hydroponic garden from Ikea products.

3. Modern Sprout offers beautiful and stylish hydroponic boxes that would be great for growing herbs in a window sill.