LCG

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Botanical Journaling with John Muir Laws

Sunday, August 26 | 10AM to 2PM

Gifted naturalist John Muir Laws (and other seasoned artists) will be coming to the Lafayette Community Garden & Outdoor Learning Center on Sunday, August 26 to share his approach to drawing vegetables. Join us to observe their craft and experience what it takes to set up your own journaling kit, how to sketch “in the field” and learn the foundational strategy to draw any subject.

Sign up today and bring with you a sketchbook, your favorite drawing pencils and something delicious to share at the Potluck lunch.

Top 5 reasons to garden with kids:

1. Gardening inspires healthy eating. Children are more likely to try fruits and vegetables that they have planted, nurtured and harvested.
2. Gardening affects the brain. Kids learn from working in the garden. They tend to be more inquisitive and will ask questions about how sun and water can cause a plant to grow out of a tiny seed. Add to this some math—counting, measuring—and experimentation. And think of all those brain-boosting vitamins and minerals in the food they eat.
3. Gardening provides much needed physical activity. The recommended amount of exercise for children is 90 minutes. Gardening provides plenty of physical activity, such as digging in dirt, carrying a watering can and pulling around a wagon full of soil.
4. Gardening improves mood. There is something satisfying about digging in dirt. The microbes found in dirt can make you happier and more relaxed. Maybe that is why kids gravitate toward gardening tools.
5. Gardening promotes patience and self-esteem. Think of how proud a child would be to harvest a carrot he or she tended to over weeks. And instead of immediate gratification, this child would have learned that patience bears the best fruit.

If you are interested in learning more about gardening with young children, register and join us at the garden for a free class, Introducing Young Children to the Garden, on Saturday, June 23 from 1:00PM to 2:00PM.

Jan Spieth from Mount Diablo Beekeepers Association speaking at the Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center’s 2017 Harvest Fest

Thank you to all that attended our 6th Annual Harvest Fest on Sunday, October 15, 2017. We had some wonderful speakers and lots of kids of all ages making scarecrows, playing games and eating yummy food. Much appreciation goes out to all the volunteers who worked tirelessly to put on this event and to all the community participants for coming to share their passions.

We feel our garden is a gift to our community and are always happy to see people take the time to visit us and to find out what we are all about.

That said, we have only two more weeks till the 2017 season comes to a close. In the coming weeks, we will be bedding down for winter and preparing for spring. During our work days — Tuesdays from 4PM to 7PM, Thursdays from 9AM to noon, and Saturdays from 9AM to 1PM — we welcome you for a visit.

We are also taking applications for the 2018 season, so if you are interested in getting involved next year, please fill out an application form and send it our way.

Join Youth Services Librarian Orlando Guzman of the Lafayette Library for a special family interactive storytime and science activity at the Lafayette Community Garden on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 10:00AM to 12:00PM.

WHOO’s going to join me?

• enjoy a short owl storytime,
• sing a song or two,
• learn about owls and their diets by dissecting owl pellets
• take the Story Trail through the garden’s first Picture Book installation.

For ages 4 and up. Consider carpooling, walking, or biking as parking is limited.

Space is limited, so register online and reserve your space now: tinyurl.com/LAFStoryowl

The growing season is almost over, but we have two more events you don’t want to miss. On Saturday, September 30, we will be hosting the Lafayette Library from 10:00AM to 12:00PM. You and your family can join in on our owl story walk and activity to celebrate these incredible creatures.

And on Sunday, October 15, we will be welcoming the community to our 6th Annual Open House and Harvest Celebration from 11:00AM to 3:00PM. Bring family and friends to see all that we have accomplished in these wonderful six years. We’ll have demonstrations, activities, tours and nibbles for all to enjoy!

Until then, you are invited to stop by for a tour any time the garden is open: Tuesday 4PM – 7PM, Thursday 9AM – 12PM and Saturday 9AM – 1PM. We’d like the garden to be a resource for all, and love to share the beautiful space and what we’re doing.

If you are interested in joining our community garden as a member next year (March – October 2018), simply fill out and send us the completed membership application form to the address listed. You will be notified of your status by the end of this calendar year.

Tomato plant fungus

Want to know what went wrong in your garden this growing season? Join Terry Lippert on Saturday, August 12 here at the garden from noon till 1PM to learn about common problems and viable solutions for growing fruits and vegetables. Register now.

Join RecycleSmart on Saturday, August 12 at this workshop that covers the basics of backyard composting (hot/cold composting), Vermicomposting (worms), mulching and grasscycling, with time for Q&A and troubleshooting. Learn how easy it is to turn your scraps into garden gold. It runs from 3:00PM to 4:30PM. Be there!

Register at RecycleSmart.

Home Composting