Toledo GROWs

11/14/2024

Calling all food trucks! We are looking for food truck vendors for our 59th annual Crosby Festival of the Arts hosted by Toledo GROWs at the Toledo Botanical Garden, June 28th, 10-6pm & June 29th, 10-4pm 2025. You can expect a crowd of 10,000 people or more. We are excited to host a variety of food truck options, and you can choose one or both days to attend. Application Deadline: Nov. 30th.
Fill out the vendor application here,
https://form.jotform.com/242175808413153

11/14/2024

As the chill of winter settles in, our feathered friends are starting to cluck, “Brrr, it’s getting cold outside!” ❄️ Our Wishlist Wednesday this week also falls on World Kindness Day, where we are encouraged to practice acts of kindness. This cold season, show some kindness and provide our flock the gift of fresh, unfrozen water every day. 💧✨ Not only will it keep them hydrated, but it will also keep them healthy and happy. Purchase this Amazon wishlist item here,

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BV1WLE/?coliid=I1V2RGEUGSTMOT&colid=1F63WXKHEKOAC&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_vv_lig_dp_it&th=1

11/13/2024

Join us in our mission to increase the number of households supporting our farm through Kroger Community Rewards! Every grocery trip you make not only helps us grow but also strengthens our community. With your support, we can expand our programs, host engaging events, and uplift those around us.💚

Imagine the incredible impact we can achieve together if we add just 20 more households by the end of the year! Signing up is simple and costs you nothing extra. Just log into your Kroger account and select Toledo GROWs (GW523) as your Community Rewards recipient.

Let’s come together this season to show the power of compassion and community support! Together, we can make a real difference in our local ecosystem.

https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards

11/08/2024

Program Offering!

Container Gardening

Gardens grow inside and outside! It doesn’t matter if you live in a tiny apartment or on a giant farm, you can grow your own food wherever you are! A gardening program that teaches the basics of growing in containers for any age, in any location! Contact us to schedule at 419-720-8714, or email [email protected].

11/08/2024

Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as leaves and food scraps, into a valuable fertilizer that can enrich soil and plants. Anything that grows decomposes eventually; composting simply speeds up the process by providing an ideal environment for bacteria, fungi, and other decomposing organisms (such as worms or nematodes) to do their work. The resulting decomposed matter, which often ends up looking like fertile garden soil, is called compost. Fondly referred to by farmers as “black gold,” compost is rich in nutrients and can be used for gardening, horticulture, and agriculture.

Composting at home allows us to divert waste from landfills and turn it into something practical for use. You can use compost to build healthier soil, prevent soil erosion, conserve water, and improve plant growth in your garden.

Here is a tip sheet for more information on building a compost pile and we encourage you to research easy ways to incorporate composting in your life to increase the health of your overall environment.



https://www.toledogrows.org/media/1304/building-your-compost-pile.pdf

11/05/2024

Bat Week is an annual celebration of bats and the many roles they play in our ecosystems. Here to highlight some benefits of our bat friends.
Benefits of Bats:
- Bats devour insects. (Insect-eating bats support crops globally and help farmers minimize the use of pesticides.)
- Bats pollinate. (Nectar-slurping bats are vital to healthy ecosystems and are essential for maintaining food supplies around the world. )
- Bats disperse seeds. (Bats are superstars of seed dispersal. Bats drop seeds that facilitate plant growth and regenerate forests, deserts, and other habitats crucial to supporting a variety of wildlife.)

11/01/2024

🎨 Calling all artists! The application for the 59th Crosby Festival of the Arts is now open! 🎨 Be a part of our most exciting year yet, with new changes inspired by your feedback! We're introducing an enhanced two-day festival, more food trucks, live music all weekend, and expanded buyer engagement to help connect you with art lovers from near and far. If you work in ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture, or wood, we want to see your creations! Apply through ZAPPlication and join us in making this our best

https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=12749

10/31/2024

We’re having a fantastic time celebrating the season at Toledo GROWs! Our children's garden is filled with witches, scarecrows are scattered throughout the fields, a (Goosebumps!) farmer is tending to the greenhouse, and a mama carrot is watching over her little ones! We love to share some of our latest Amazon items from our supporters (Thank you!!), and invite you to join in on the fun at the farm. If you’d like to support us, please check out our

Amazon wishlist:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1F63WXKHEKOAC/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex?

10/30/2024

🌱✨ Make a Difference with Just a Swipe! ✨🌱 Join us in reaching our goal of increasing the number of households supporting our farm through Kroger Community Rewards! With every grocery trip, you’re giving back—helping us grow programs, host events, and support our community. 🛒💚

If we can add 20 more households by year-end, the impact will be amazing. Signing up is easy, and it costs you nothing extra! Log into your Kroger card account and assign Toledo GROWs (GW523) as your Community Rewards recipient. Let’s make this season one of giving and growing, together!

Here is a direct link for more information: https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards

10/29/2024

Harvest Brunch was a success! (Look at that smile :D) Much appreciation is due to all that supported our Harvest meal series. The harvest brunch was the finale of the season and we are grateful for all that were able to make it and enjoy the farm and tasty treats that morning. Look out for registration to the next Harvest Dinner Series next year, we would love to have you join us!

10/28/2024

Market Stand!
What's Growin' On at Toledo GROWS?
We have a weekly market stand which features farm fresh treats that we have available at the farm throughout the growing season. This week some items that are available are Kale microgreens, chives, onions, and thyme! We also have honey and farm fresh eggs to sell also!

Email [email protected] and request to join our Market Stand email list to find out what and when you could pick up.

When you have all the ingredients, try out this recipe!

https://myjourneytogreen.com/breakfast-recipes-with-microgreens-easy-to-make/

10/25/2024

Come join the fun and learn more about herbs,

Register now,

https://app.theauxilia.com/Event/herbal_tea_workshop

10/25/2024

Calling all food trucks! We are looking for food truck vendors for our 59th annual Crosby Festival of the Arts hosted by Toledo GROWs at the Toledo Botanical Garden, June 28th, 10-6pm & June 29th, 10-4pm 2025. You can expect a crowd of 10,000 people or more. We are excited to host a variety of food truck options, and you can choose one or both days to attend. Application Deadline: Nov. 30th.

Fill out the vendor application here,
https://form.jotform.com/242175808413153

10/24/2024

Fall Planting!

Plant alliums like chives, garlic, bunching onions, and shallots beginning in September and October for eating next year.

You can grow most alliums from seeds or small transplants, but fall is the ideal time for planting allium bulbs—also called sets—and also to transplant pieces of clump-forming alliums from your garden or a friend’s.

Plant your garlic cloves and bunching onion and shallot sets no more than a couple of inches deep and 3 to 5 inches apart. If you plant in rows, allow at least a foot between rows. Keep well-watered.

Happy GROWing 🌱

10/22/2024

We had a visit from some of our faithful volunteers from RVI - Riverview Industries, Inc. and who helped add compost to our greenhouse beds and prepped garden beds for garlic planting! We appreciate the time spent with our volunteers and encourage others to plan a time to come visit us!

10/21/2024

Have you ever thought of starting a school garden at your school?
This is a way to connect youth directly to the valuable information that is present in the garden. It has been proven to build better nutrition habits, encourage improved mental health, increase opportunity for fresh air and physical activity, improved social and emotional development, and an increased interest in cooking and gardening. The garden is an important piece of education that we can assist you in creating. Here is a tip sheet for how to plant and maintain your garden. On our website there are further resources for how to start your own school garden, or reach out to us directly!

https://www.toledogrows.org/media/1369/school-garden-planting-and-maintenance-schedule.pdf

10/18/2024

Don't forget to register! Seats filling up fast,

Experience the art of herbal tea tasting and blending, and create your own tea blends to take home with you!

Register here
https://bit.ly/ToledoGROWsHerbalTeaWorkshop

10/17/2024

Come out and join us for this special workshop on herbal teas, Nov. 2nd from 10am-12pm.

https://bit.ly/ToledoGROWsHerbalTeaWorkshop

Yvonne Dubielak and Myriesha Barber of Toledo GROWS talk tea and its benefits.