A Bed fit for a King with the Seeds to Bear Forth!

Spring has sprung forth good projects and great community in BH's Backyard Botany and the scene is being set for a bountiful display of nature's wealth!

This past weekend, the Big Event happened and with the energy and teamwork of students from the Illinois Institute of Technology and Shimer College, in just 3 hours we planted over 150 new crops, cleared out the garden space, fabricated a garden sign from stunning trash and constructed three large raised beds!  The team effort and comraderie was incredible and gave the garden a good start to a successful season.  Kristina (a super woman!) organized the Big Event with numerous projects to improve Benton House - including the garden.  Our projects included Kristin (a master of gardening) cleared the gate path of rugged tree roots for a future spot of marigolds, while Matt and Adam (the dynamic woodworking duo!) worked with diligent and intelligent volunteers on making 3 strong raised beds out of scrap wood.  Jerrod and Daisy kept the beats a flowin' with some great spirited volunteers who started plants for some mouthwatering veggies - Tongue-teasing Tomatoes, Pep You Up Peppers and Care for Carrots among the many (scientific names to follow soon).  Jen (masterful at her gardening:)) made the garden into a picture perfect scene, without pesky weed vines stealing our Spinach's Sun and good structure for future growth.

More details on seeds/methods of building to come.  In the meantime, check out these great volunteers and their efforts!

THANKS TO GREAT VOLUNTEERS AND OUR GREAT TIME!!  More exciting gardening to come!

The Seed takes the Lead!

Kate, gardener extraordinairre

 It all starts with the basics - soil and seed... and of course some good fun labor!  Last Monday, the Benton House Garden Group planted the seed for what should be a bountiful garden, filled with great fruits and vegetables.  Cool crops, such as "hail me, i am kale", "rock the brocc"oli, "sugar daddy snap peas" and "behead us, we're lettuce" were planted in 156 cups of soil.

Kate made sure our soil was wet for planting.  Don't forget to mix your soil with water if planting. 

Heidi and Jerrod assured that each seed was carefully planted.  Kate's suggestion of digging a hole to the recommended depth with a pen made it easy to ensure a little seed of joy would have good soil surrounding it.

Heidi and some leafy greens

Heidi made sure every cup had its fill!  There will be plenty of room in the garden for some good kale!



Jerrod loves gardening just over playing with the band, Bring It On Home.

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Jerrod was quite focused and felt the texture of every seed.  What seed is this, Jerrod?





Matt, sends love to his seeds.



Matt loves to care for plants.  His room garden takes in rescued plants that have been neglected by their owners and he abides by a "no plant left behind" policy.  Send him your plants!

The Final Array of Seeds, all 156 cups.

Here's to a great garden season!!!!