As it happens....

We thought we'd show footage of what Mother Earth News was talking about when they mentioned our annual Seed Swap as it happens here at the Ward Pavilion and Toledo Botanical Garden!


A walk through the Seed Swap...




Morning workshop sessions @ TBG....

Seed Swap 2010

On Saturday, February 27, 2010, join the biggest gardening party in the region to share free seeds and information on gardening and urban agriculture! Receive free vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, and bring those you've saved from your own garden (or left over packets from last year) to receive even more seeds!

Seed Swap: Noon-3 PM at the Ward Pavilion at Wildwood Metropark (click here for a map)

Workshops: 10 AM - 5 PM at the Toledo Botanical Garden (map)

10:00 - 11:30AM From Plant to Plate: Easy, Tasty Vegetables to Grow

(TBG Conference Center)

10:00 - 11:30AM All About Gourds

(TBG Children’s Ed Building)

10:00 - 11:30AM Bugs & Birds in the Garden

(TBG Conference Center)

1:30 - 3:00PM A Creative Approach to Herbal Gardening

(TBG Children’s Ed Building)

1:30 - 3:00PM Troubleshooting Your Vegetable Garden

(TBG Conference Center)

1:30 - 3:00PM Container Gardening

(TBG Conference Center)

3:30 - 5:00PM Preserving the Harvest

(TBG Children’s Ed Building)

3:30 - 5:00PM Gourmet Vegetables for Fun & Profit

(TBG Conference Center)

3:30 - 5:00PM Raising Chickens

(TBG Conference Center)

Free and open to the public!

See www.toledogarden.org for more details...

Television feature on GROWs

Channel 36 ran a feature on Toledo GROWs last night peeking behind the greenhouse curtain and expounding the benefits of community based urban agriculture...

Enriching communities through gardens

TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) -- Urban agriculture is growing across the area.

In fact when Toledo Grows began 12 years ago there were about a handful of the small community gardens. Now there are more than 80 and the goal is to create at least 100 by next year.

The urban gardens are a way to turn empty fields into beautiful additions to neighborhoods.

“It’s often times done in unusual places,” said Toledo Grows Manager Michael Szuberla. “Its not a big farm field its just two vacant lots in the city and what you could do with some inspiration and the right resources is pretty amazing.”

The program is part of the Toledo Botanical Garden. People are given the resources and education to plant all sorts of herbs, produce and flowers.

Not only does it provide access to healthy foods for people who might not otherwise be able to obtain them, it’s also a great way to save.

“Given the state of the economy people are looking to save money any way they can,” said Szuberla. “If you can go out and do a positive activity with your grandchildren and children and at the same time reduce your budget it’s a double victory for everyone.”

Sixth Annual Seed Swap
Saturday, Feb. 27

Seed Swap 12-3 p.m.
Wildwood Metropark5100 West Central Ave.
Toledo, 43615

Workshops 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Toledo Botanical Garden
5403 Elmer Dr.
Toledo, 43615

Urban Forest [Design] Project

The Urban Forest Project recently solicited local graphic artists to design banners for "a forest of thoughtful images in the urban landscape and [to] raise awareness of sustainability and youth mentoring."

Fifty of the 140 submissions will be hung throughout the city this spring celebrating Earth day. After the public exhibition the banners will be recycled into tote bags and sold to benefit the Young Artists At Work program.

The ever active Enjoying Toledo blog recounted the January launching of the fifty banners at the gallery Space 237.

Here's Toledo.com footage of interviews from the art opening: