What's Growing August 2015

We have had quite a successful summer crop for such a modest garden.  Here's what's growing now and what will be ready soon:

Heirloom muskmelons
Heirloom watermelons
Cucumbers
Butternut squash
Acorn squash
Asparagus beans
Carrots
Beets
Swiss chard
Green beans
Okra
Tomatoes
Potatoes
Tomatillos
Bird house gourds
Pumpkins  (fingers crossed)

Edible ISC Wish List

We've got a garden outside and a kitchen to prep veggies inside.  What could be better than that? 

Well, I'm glad you asked!

We are looking for donations of the following items which will help us in teaching the kids more about the culinary aspect of growing fruits and vegetables.  Thanks to Eric and all of the faculty and staff at the ISC, we now have a beautiful cooking space located off of the Toddler classroom where all students will be able to visit with their teachers throughout the week and help to turn what we grow into easy-to-follow and delicious meals.  As mentioned in the previous post, I will be posting recipes directly to this site so that the children and staff can continue to replicate what they learn at home.  To be able to achieve this goal, I ask that you look around your house for extra (and unused) culinary tools as well as some pantry staples that we will be using throughout the year. 

Here's our current Wish List:

Tools:
Tongs
Whisks
Spoons (Wooden are best, but anything will work)
Large mixing bowls
Cutting boards
Small chefs knives and pairing knives
Towels (that can be washed and reused)
Storage containers
Plastic storage bags
Kitchen shears
Colanders or strainers
Rice cookers
Crock pots
Large pots/Stock pots
Plastic measuring cups for dry ingredients
Glass Pyrex measuring cups for wet ingredients
Tablespoon and teaspoon measures

Ingredients needed:
Apple cider vinegar
Olive oil
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Granulated sugar
Unbleached, all-purpose flour
Garlic powder
Himalayan Salt (pink salt)

If you could, rummage through your kitchen and get rid of items you don't need.  Next time you're at the store, maybe pick up an extra bottle of cider vinegar when it's on sale.  We appreciate your help tremendously!

School is back in session!

Summer vacations are done (for most of us!), pool passes are being put away for safe keeping and most likely some nice new indoor slippers have been purchased for what promises to be another amazing year at the ISC!

Here at the school garden we are gearing up for another strong year with an edible schoolyard that is looking to be even bigger and better than last year, our inaugural year.  With more volunteers than I know what to do with (not that I'm complaining) we are in the process of designing our 2015 Fall gardening schedule and I am working with the teachers to help design curriculum based on what will be in season when. 

In the upcoming posts, I'll be detailing what we intend to plant, what is in season now, how volunteers can help and of course, the best part of all, I'll be posting many recipes that can be used to turn what we're growing into something dinner-worthy.  If anyone would like to volunteer their time in the garden and you have not heard from me yet, please email me at lynsibel@gmail.com.

In the very near future I will be posting some Sign Up Genius pages for both staff and parents to help understand what we've got planned as far as seed sowing, plant planting and kitchen cooking goes.  This is going to be really fun and I can't wait to get back in the garden with the students.

CHANGE!  Our first Edible ISC meeting will take place on Monday, September 14th, at 7 pm @Cville Coffee.  Anyone is welcome!  Here I will lay out our annual plan and we will brainstorm ways that anyone interested can get involved.