STARTING
Starting a Love Garden is easy. The Love Garden Project Team will work with you to select an appropriate plot of land and install the garden free of charge. We do ask that you provide reimbursement for necessary materials such as fencing materials, seeds, fertilizer, and if you chose, an irrigation system. We will work with you to make your Love Garden yours. Due to the climate and soil content of Minnesota, The Love Garden Project has selected a list of Minnesota-friendly crops for you to choose from; if you wish to grow a crop that is not included in this list that may be possible. You can grow beans, beets, brussels sprouts, carrots, sweet corn, cucumbers, lettuce, onions, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, squash, tomatoes, and watermelons.
AFTER LOVE GARDEN INSTALLATION
We will provide consulting services to tend your new Love Garden, and help you maintain it.
HARVEST
The Love Garden team will assist you in the harvest
of your food if you choose. We
simply ask that you allow us to harvest at least 10% of your produce to donate to
low-income families. This percentage is not determined by weight, it is determined by number of fruits grown. For example, if you grow 10 tomatoes, 1 tomato will be donated.
WHERE THE FOOD GOES
We ask that you donate at least 10% of your produce. The food that you donate to The Love Garden Project
goes to low-income families involved in Community Education courses aimed at
assisted families to eat healthy on a small budget. In this way we help those who are helping themselves, in
addition to providing more food security for them. Food may also go to local food shelves in Chisago County; primarily, the Lindstrom, MN food shelf.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
If you do not feel up to having your own Love Garden, there are many other valuable ways to get involved with the project. You can spread the word to your neighbors, you can volunteer your time in helping us install, maintain, and harvest gardens. Finally, you can donate materials and tools. If you would like more information about these opportunities, please contact us.
