DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) -Those who love gardening and a good cause need look no further than growing a gifting garden.
Food pantries are continuing to see an increase in demand for support and fresh produce is among the most challenging area for pantries because it is all perishable.
GIFT Gardens – Growing Illowa Food Together – is a new partnership with Tapestry Farms, the University of Illinois Extension, Iowa State Extension, and River Bend Food Bank. It will be an a community of backyard, patio, side yard and community garden growers.
QCL facilitates a conversation with SNAP-Ed Educator Tayler Louscher and Emily Swihart, University of Illinois Extension Educator of Horticulture, as they explain the partnership, its history, and how folks can get involved.
Orientation sessions for GIFT Gardens (choose one) will be held on Tuesday, May 6, at 7 p.m. or Saturday, May 10, at 10 a.m., at the Tapestry Farms office, 121 W. 12th Street, Davenport, IA.
University of Illinois Extension
Swihart explains that UI Extension is committed to supporting experienced growers and new gardeners alike. The Master Gardeners on staff provide answers to questions through the Help Line here.
Additionally, there will be kick-off events and garden days held throughout the year while sharing GIFT specific resources so people can sign up to receive invitations to events and resources.
Suggestions on how to participate
Some suggestions for participation is considering growing a vertical garden (if space is limited). Plants that produce a lot can be grown on trellises including pole beans and cucumbers.
If space is not as limited, the focus should be on high producing, high value garden crops as a wonderful way to support neighbors. These include things like tomatoes, peppers, and herbs.
For travelers, quick producing, cool season crops like spinach, beets, radishes, and swiss chard might be best.
University of Illinois Extension is located at 321 West 2nd Avenue, Milan.
If you are looking for more in-depth information, contact the Illinois Extension office at https://extension.illinois.edu/hmrs or call 309-756-9978.
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