Good to Grow



Maida Dantzler, President of the Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc., has chosen Good to Grow as a statewide project during her administration. The Good to Grow program teaches school-age children, their parents, and communities not only how to grow their own food, but how to make healthy food choices.

The idea for this project came about for many reasons. Most importantly, it involves our youth. Childhood obesity is at an all time high and is affecting not only the health of our children, but their ability to learn. One way we can take a positive step towards controlling this issue is through education. By volunteering our talents in the school system via gardening, we can teach families how to grow food that is nutritionally valuable, while having fun and reinforcing school curriculums in reading, science, and math.

As we impress the children of South Carolina to learn more about the food that fuels their bodies, they'll be better equipped to make smarter food choices. When youth are involved in growing fresh fruits and vegetables, they'll have the opportunity to taste something they might otherwise have refused or never have been offered! In turn, it is our hope that the children will inspire their families to garden at home too.

The economic downturn has already stimulated interest in home vegetable gardens and interest and educational programming is at an all-time high in many schools across the nation.

Maida Dantzler would like to challenge each garden club in South Carolina, to initiate or mentor an established school or community garden in their area. Children love to plant seeds and love to see them grow. They also love the extra attention we as gardeners give to them. Our Good to Grow program could be part of a youth garden club or a new activity for your club.

Rebecca Bull Reed, Associate Gardening Editor for Southern Living magazine is assisting me with this project. Please use this site as a guide to answer questions or to stay on track as you and your club organize this potentially life-changing venture for South Carolina families.

To good health and much fun!

Donna Hummelman

Good to Grow Chairman

hummersct@yahoo.com

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9th August 2011

Which is better - transplants or seed?


Honestly, is one better than the other? Both are good. You can successfully start a garden from transplants or direct seeding. The answer greatly depends on where you live in the state and what you’re planting. In the upper part of South Carolina, near the mountains, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower will mature better when started in containers according to Sow True Seed. In the sandhills, piedmont, and lowcounty, these crops can be transplanted or direct seeded. Transplanting provides the benefits of optimal spacing and gives seedlings a head start while summer veggies may still be occupying the garden.

Onions perform best when started from transplants called sets. Start them in flats 6 - 8 weeks prior to setting them out in the garden.

Arugalu, beets, carrots, dill, kohlrabi, peas, radish, rutabaga, and turnips should all be seeded directly into the garden. Don’t forget to thin seedlings about 2-4 weeks after they come up, as crowded seedlings often fail to mature.

Asian greens, chard, collards, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, and spinach do well as either transplants or direct seed.

Next time: These veggies offer quick results