Did you know that Edgewood Homes has a garden? Since May, participants of the Full Circle Youth Program have planted, watered and weeded a vegetable garden behind the Huppee Community Facility. We have built raised beds, started seeds, and transplanted starts. So far, we have harvested basil, tomatoes, pumpkins, cucumber and okra.
Known as the “ZOMBIE Patch”, the garden was created as a part of the ZOMBIE Health Initiative which addresses six identified health targets -- Zoning, as in healthy spaces, Outside activity, Movement of and Body image, Ingredients for meals, and Exercise. This project aims to prevent and reduce childhood obesity in youth by increasing regular participation in physical activity and nutrition based eating.
The ZOMBIE Patch has been producing (I)ngredients for out of school snacks. It has also taught youth about growing produce. Some of our veggies have even been sent home with our little gardeners!
In one of the more interesting aspects of the project, youth have started a compost bin that allows us to minimize the amount of waste being sent to the landfill. Composting allows fruit and vegetable scraps to decompose. The decomposed matter will be added to next year’s garden as fertilizer.
Future plans include the planting of a “Pizza Garden” to include tomatoes, basil, and other vegetables to be used as pizza toppings. This will allow youth to learn where their food comes from, participate in growing it, and most importantly eat delicious and nourishing pizza.
ZOMBIE Patch at Edgewood Homes by DouglasCountyHousing
Youth creating a scarecrow for their ZOMBIE Patch. by DouglasCountyHousing
Comments
DCCDA 6 months, 3 weeks ago
This is so great to see! I had no idea the garden was there. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work!
LilySiebert 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Agreed!
Marilyn Hull 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Great learning experience for the kids!
ChrisLempa 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Thanks for the comments! It has been fun watching the youth learn about the life cycle of plants. Our youth have tried plenty of new vegetables because of this project. It's really been a blast.
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