GARDENING TO PREVENT HUNGER

AT THE REGIONAL FOOD BANK

WITH BRUCE EDWARDS

Bruce Edwards, far left, in the Regional Food Bank

greenhouse. 

By Nancy Condit

Bruce Edwards, Urban Harvest Director at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, runs an aquaponics system in which he raises tilapia in nine months, and about 850 heads of lettuce and herbs like basil in six weeks for children’s feeding programs, like the Kids Café, that serves after school programs.  “We still have our worm farm which produces worm castings which we use in the garden.  He’s just darn cute.  The kids like him when he comes to visit.

The Food Bank also offers, in the spring, low cost classes in basic gardening in the spring, starting in February.  Contact Edwards at bedwards@regionalfoodbank.org for more information.  Tours can be arranged by emailing bedwards@regionalfoodbank.org.


WATER GARDEN SOCIETY OF

OKLAHOMA POND TOUR

Converted swimming pool water garden

on a previous WGSO tour. Photo c. by Nancy Condit

By Nancy Condit

The annual free tour of some of the most beautiful water gardens in central Oklahoma  will be held at the end of June this year to avoid some of July’s heat. Some are shaded, some are not, some are beginning gardens, others are advanced, and, occasionally, one is a converted swimming pool with mature planting.  Each of these gardens is hosted by the owners and creators.  This is an excellent tour for the person who wants ideas, or the person who likes to admire others’ gardens.  Books laying out the tour – with pictures -- are usually on sale in advance for about $3 at garden centers like TLC.  Look for it Saturday, July 25^th and Sunday, June 26^th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  About 20 gardens are usually included in the tour sponsored by the Water garden Society of Oklahoma.  Check the website, www.wgso.org  for more info.



   Crocus in February, photo by Nancy Condit

Text and contents c. by Nancy Condit