Gardening & Great Outdoors: Stay Healthy at Home

Start a Garden

Via Cardinal Land Conservancy in Milford:

During WWII, around one third of the vegetables produced by the United Statescame from victory gardens. It was emphasized to American home front urbanites and suburbanites that the produce from their gardens would help to lower the price of vegetables needed by the US War Department to feed the troops, thus saving money that could be spent elsewhere on the military: "Our food is fighting," one US poster read. By May 1943, there were 18 million victory gardens in the United States – 12 million in cities and 6 million on farms.

There are many recommendations for actions to take that will help people deal with increased stress and anxiety. Exercise, meditation, spending time with family and infusing more nature into our lives top the list. Planting a garden during this increased time at home, might be a great way to accomplish all of those activities. Our grandparents and great grandparents had their act together when you think about 18 million gardens producing 10 million tons of fruits and vegetables in 1944.

Why not start your own Victory Garden this spring? Here are a couple links to get you started in your planning and planting:

http://gardenclub.homedepot.com/steps-growing-victory-garden/

https://www.farmanddairy.com/top-stories/plant-a-victory-garden/407696.html

To start seeds indoors, here are ways to make your own seedling pots using available paper products (even, you know, toilet paper rolls). Start tomato, pepper, zucchini, and other summer produce indoors now. Or direct seed spring crops (lettuce, arugula, carrots, greens) right in your garden.

Help for Your Garden

The Garden Coach can help you locate, plan, prep, and plant your home vegetable garden. They can help you evaluate soil preparation, deer resistance, organic practices, composting, etc., and help you start seeds indoors & out. Get in touch with owner Kris Barton via Facebook, by email or phone: 859.866.6369. 

Local Starts of Herbs and Vegetables

Natorp’s Outlet, Mason
Reopened April 24. Find plants, seeds, and trees here and also order soil and amendments by calling (513) 398.4769.

AJ Rahn Greenhouse, Spring Grove
Reopened Apil 24. Cool Weather Veggies are Ready: Broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, kohlrabi, collards and lettuce. We also have some select herbs ready as well.

Funke’s Greenhouse, Spring Grove
Open Mid-March to Mid-November. Find 250 Tomato varieties,  280 different types of peppers, 95 leafy green crops and over all 1200 varieties of eatable plant selection. Current hours are 9 am to 5 pm seven days a week
We are practicing safe distancing and simply ask that our customers respect each others space during the covid-19 "slow the spread" event.

Wildwood Flora, Spring Grove
Find a list of available plants online. Please note that availability is subject to change. Starts come in 3 packs and are $1.85 each and $19.95 when you buy 12 of our 3 packs, so feel free to mix and match. Send us you wish list to info@wildwoodflora.com or phone in your order at 513-541-4300 and we will do the rest.

Native Plants for Pollinators, Hardiness, and Drought Resistance

Keystone Flora, Wooden Shoe Hollow/Winton Place
Virus crisis will require appointments to be made before coming to the nursery. Keystone Flora will open by appointment starting Sunday April 12, 2020. Please call any time. Forbs are $13. in gallon pots. Shrubs are $23. to $30. To reach us, please call 513.961.2727 or email nativeplants@keystoneflora.com

Mail Order Seed Companies

Seed Savers Exchange (heirlooms and organics)

High Mowing Seeds (100% Organic)

Burpee (seeds and plants)

---

Get Outside

Fresh air is a panacea. (Assuming you practice safe social distancing, that is.) So get out there. Take in the energy of spring. Walk the dog. As of March 17, Cincinnati parks remain open (though events are canceled). Hamilton County parks are open, though activities like golf courses, indoor rec centers, horseback lessons, and events are closed.

(Update: Cincinnati Nature Center closed until Monday, April 6)

Flavors of the Queen City Tours
All OUTSIDE walking tours will remain scheduled. Check the website for available tours like: Findlay Market Food Tours, and Queen City Food and History tour. Call 513.703.0880 or email.

Imago
Get the kids outside. Each day, we'll post simple "Imago Ranger" guides to give you and your family ideas of things you can do outdoors. Just because we're social distancing doesn't mean we can't enjoy the therapeutic, happiness boosting properties of nature. Daily Imago Ranger Guides will live on our website as well as on our Facebook page. 

---

Cook at Home

Need inspiration? Find all kinds of healthy, seasonal recipes right here.

Artichoke OTR
The store will reopen May 12. Shop online or call ahead for those hard to find kitchen tools. Call ahead for curbside delivery 513-263-1002 or email  info@artichokeOTR.com. Hours Tues-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm.