Planning for Growth: Getting Ready for Garden Season

As we kick off another season with Grow Sustainab-LEE, it’s great to see our community coming together around a shared goal—growing healthy food, building sustainable habits, and connecting with one another. So far, we have 39 participants in the program, and each one brings excitement and a willingness to learn. It’s always encouraging to see so many people ready to give organic gardening a try.

(To the left is a picture of Nina and Joe Jenks, one of our participating families. They’re also market gardeners with an incredible garden, and they’re always willing to lend a hand or share advice with those who are just getting started.)

One of the biggest keys to a successful garden is planning ahead. Before planting anything, it’s important to think about your space, how much sunlight you get, your soil, and what types of crops will grow best for you. Whether you’re using a backyard plot, raised beds, or containers, a little planning go

es a long way in making the most of your space.

In the program, participants are learning how to lay out their gardens by thinking about spacing, companion planting, and rotating crops. The

se simple steps can lead to healthier plants, better harvests, and fewer problems with pests and disease. Choosing the right plants for our local area also makes a big difference.

This year, we’re using vouchers to help distribute funding. These vouchers allow participants to purchase the supplies they need while also supporting local businesses.  It also allows us to me more agile to meet the needs of our participants. It’s a simple system that helps make sure everyone gets what they need to get started.

Planning a garden isn’t just about the “how”—it’s also about the “why.” Participants are encouraged to think about their goals. Maybe they want to save money on groceries, try new foods, or preserve what they grow for later. Having those goals in mind helps keep everyone motivated throughout the season, which is why we focus on these topics in our first class on garden planning.

As we move forward, Grow Sustainab-LEE continues to be more than just a gardening program. It’s a community of people learning, sharing, and growing together. With a little planning and support, this year’s group is off to a strong start—not just growing gardens, but building skills and connections that will last.

We can’t wait to see how these gardens—and gardeners—grow in the months ahead.