Wednesday, April 29, 2009

HOME GARDENERS ASKED TO HELP FEED THE HUNGRY


Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s Master Gardener Program presents The Spring Kick-Off Event announcing the annual Plant-A-Row for the Hungry Program at Lowe’s located at 901 Frank Sottile Blvd. in Kingston on Saturday, May 2. Festivities will begin at 10:00am and continue until 4:00pm.

Master Gardeners will be promoting the Plant-A-Row for the Hungry Program. This program asks vegetable gardeners to devote an extra row in their gardens and bring their excess produce to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County (CCEUC), located at 10 Westbrook Lane, in Kingston. The excess produce is used by CCEUC Nutrition Program Educators in their hands-on programs that work with low-income families, children, and seniors residing in Ulster County. Donated produce will also be given to food pantries in Kingston and New Paltz. Home gardeners participating in this year’s program will receive one free soil test, an informative packet with suggestions of what to grow and how to plant them, and free “Plant-A-Row” veggie markers for their garden.

In addition, there will be plant vendors and local garden designers to share ideas on vegetable and fruit garden layouts. Several Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer all your gardening questions and offer free soil testing. One cup soil samples should be dry for pH testing.