CDR helps parents learn about gardening
Written By Brandy Centolanza
Parents at Child Development Resources are learning how to grow their own flowers, herbs and produce thanks to The Incredible Edibles program.
The educational program is offered in partnership with James City/Williamsburg Master Gardeners. Volunteers with Master Gardeners meet with moms and dads the second week of each month to introduce them to the joys of gardening while their children attend one of CDR’s playgroups, which are offered to children with developmental delays.
“Each month, we talk about a vegetable or fruit that could be grown locally,” says Gary Driscole, a Master Gardener who has volunteered with CDR’s parent group for the past four years. “We present information about the garden food and demonstrate how to prepare it. I have developed a routine for my sessions. I start with a show and tell of the things from my home garden. Then I answer any garden questions that the parents may have concerning their gardening.”
Earlier this month, Driscole brought in several herbs from his garden, including dill, coriander, lavender, parsley, thyme and basil, for parents to touch, smell and taste. They also sampled fava beans and nasturtiums and day lilies, which are edible flowers.
Afterward, Driscole focused on June’s vegetable of the month, the potato. Driscole provided the group with a brief lesson on potatoes and their nutritional value, then the group went outside to CDR’s community garden to pick some potatoes, and spent the remainder of the session in the kitchen cleaning, prepping and cooking what they harvested.
The program also includes demonstrations on how to prepare a vegetable garden, either in a raised bed in the backyard or in a container, as well as how to care for the garden.
“We have been so pleased to partner with the Master Gardeners for this project,” says Paul Scott, executive director for CDR. “The families who have participated have really enjoyed learning about gardening and growing nutritious foods for their families.”
Martha Suarez has been with the program for three years, and has started a garden at home with eight containers for various vegetables and herbs, including parsley, peas, tomatoes and squash.
“My husband is happy because he didn’t know how to garden,” says Suarez. “My son also likes to help with the garden. He likes to do the watering.”
Parents also maintain CDR’s garden in between sessions with the Master Gardeners.
“I really like working together as a group and seeing the results,” says Suarez.
Rodney Seawright Sr., who also started a garden at home with herbs and asparagus, enjoys tasting the different vegetables and flowers.
“I wasn’t even aware that there are certain flowers that you can eat,” says Seawright. “I didn’t know that. I’ve learned a lot about what I can plant in my garden, and I like to watch the plants as they grow.”
The group, which consists of about a dozen parents, so far has sampled radishes, broccoli and potatoes, and future sessions will focus on tomatoes, squash and pumpkin. The Master Gardeners also have a reference guide at CDR that provides parents with a timeline for planting, as well as how to handle garden pests such as bugs.