Let's try this again

Ok everyone.  The contest is back up and running.  I tried voting today (actually voting 100 times) and it worked just fine.  Wasn't slow and was pretty easy.  The worst part was typing that special word in every time.  But it goes quick which is good.

I want to thank everyone in advance for helping the garden with this.  We are very excited about the thought of getting a greenhouse out on the property.

Kathy

The contest has begun!

Ok everyone, the Grow St. Louis contest has begun.  So we need you to vote, vote, vote.  Here's how to do it.

Go to  http://www.monsanto.com/stlouis/Pages/grow-STL-contest-voting-form.aspx

Our Project title is Greenhouse.  It is easier to search for it if you put it in the search box.  When you get to it vote for it.  The first time it will ask you to enter your email address then will send you an email verification.

You will get an email with a verification link.  Once you click on that it will take you back to the Monsanto page and will notify you that your votes will now count.  You can vote up to 100 times a day.

Please please please vote.

Thanks!
Kathy

Our new logo

The Old Six Mile Community Garden is a finalist in the Monsanto Grow St. Louis contest.  The winning organization gets $15,000.00.  We have entered to get money to build a greenhouse on the museum property.  We are extremely excited about being picked.

A student in Scott Smallie's class at Coolidge designed our logo.  We feel that this is a great tie in to what we believe the garden is.  Not only a chance to grow local food, but also teach kids how they can grow their own garden.   So many kids today haven't even stepped into a garden let alone know how to grow anything.  This will give them a chance to learn how to eat healthy and eat local.

I will be posting voting instructions as soon as I get them.  Please vote often.  You can vote 100 times a day until the end of the contest.  Thanks for your support!

An Apple A Day

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.  At least that is what we were told by our parents as we were growing up.  Now research is proving that mom was right.  Dutch researchers are reporting that eating fruits and vegetables whose edible parts are white may lower your risk of stroke.






Fruits and vegetables included in the white category were apples, pears, apple juice, apple sauce, bananas, cauliflower, chicory, cucumber and mushrooms.  Good news for us since we are entering apple season.  


Of course, this does not mean we can put away our spinach and broccoli. Eating a wide assortment of fruits and vegetables decreases our risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.  It is still recommended that we  eat food from all colors of the rainbow.  Red, green, yellow, violet, all provide helpful vitamins and minerals.


To read more on the findings go to: http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/healthcare/prevention/story/2011-09-16/White-fruits-amp-vegetables-may-lower-stroke-risk/50431028/1

Happy Picking!

Tomatoes

It's not hard to breed a tomato that looks great and tastes like hell---Charles M. Ricl  Preeminent U.S. tomato breeder.


For just 35 calories one medium-sized tomato supplies almost half the recommended daily allowance for vitamin C, and almost 20 percent of the RDAs for vitamin A and fiber.  They also contain lycopine, flavonoids, and other phytochemicals that are believed to help fight cancer and some forms of heart disease.


Everyone is excited when tomatoes start popping up on their backyard vines.  It is because we have had to endure months of store bought awful tomatoes and are ready to taste some that are fresh..  It's not because the farmers are growing bad tomatoes but because the growers must harvest them while they are still unripe and resort to ripening them with blasts of ethylene gas.  This is the only way they can get transported to supermarkets before they spoil.

Personally, I gorge myself on tomatoes during their growing season and impatiently await the day when I see the red, delicious fruit hanging on the vine.  And maybe one day I will learn to can the tomatoes while they are fresh and have wonderful tomatoes all year.  I think I will put that on my bucket list.

Welcome

Welcome to the Granite City Community Garden blog.  It is my wish that this website will provide tips, hints, and interesting details on the wonderful world of gardening.  The community garden is going to be a tool to get the people of Granite City eating healthier.  Look for recipes and how-to's for growing your own garden.  Stay tuned.  It's gonna be fun!