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Monthly meetings on
2nd Tuesday and 4th Saturday at 10:00 am
at 320 S Market Ave, Bolivar MO
Click HERE to join us on Facebook!
UPCOMING MEETINGS
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Sat, June 28 @ 10:00 am- Tasty Nightshades: Caring for Tomatoes and Peppers
Join us as we discuss the best tips and practices for growing tomatoes and peppers. From fertilizers to pruning, and best time to harvest, we'll share lots of great info to help you have a bountiful harvest.
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Tues, July 8 @ 10:00 am- All about Cucumbers & Melons
There's nothing quite like fresh melon or cucumbers from the garden. But sometimes getting plants to the point of harvest can be tricky. Join us as we troubleshoot common challenges like small fruit, managing vines, pests, and knowing when to harvest.
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Sat, July 26 @ 10:00 am- TBD
Whether you've gardened your whole life or are making your first ever attempt at gardening, COM's Garden Club is the community for you. The Club meets twice each month to learn about valuable topics, exchange tips and seeds, and make plans to help promote gardening in the community.
As COM seeks to reduce food insecurity in Polk County, the Garden Club is an important piece of that effort. One of the best ways to increase access to food is to teach people to grow their own food right in their backyard or on their porch. Through the Garden Club, our neighbors not only can learn how to do this themselves, but also have opportunities to teach others.
The Garden Club also runs our community garden located in COM's parking lot. Volunteer are welcome to come up any day from Tuesday through Saturday to work in the garden (and potentially take home produce).
GARDENING Resources
Frost Dates
A lot of resources and seed packets reference "last frost date," "frost frost date," and zones. But what does that mean? Check out this article. For Polk County, Missouri, here's what you need to know:
Zone: 6A
Avg. last frost date: April 21
Avg. first frost: Oct 17
COM Seed Starting Resource Guide
A collection of useful resources for starting your own seeds on a handy 1-page sheet. Download it here.
From Seed to Spoon app
A great mobile tool for checking planting times, growing tips, and more for all kinds of veggies in a single app. Download it at www.seedtospoon.net
Fruition Seeds Planting Guides
It can be confusing to know whether to start seeds indoors or plant them directly in the ground outside. This great guide from Fruition Seeds takes out the guesswork. Download it here. They also have a great library of resources you can get for free on their website.
Planting Calendar
When is the best time to start your seeds? Use this easy visual guide to know exactly the best time to start your seeds or transplant your plants. Download it here.
No-Till Gardening Guide
Tired of tilling your garden every year? Want to regenerate your land and create healthier soil? Then consider starting a "no-till garden." It's not too complicated once you understand the why and how. COM has created this simple guide sheet to get you started.
Seed Saving Videos and Guide
Seed Savers Exchange is a great resource that not only sells unique heirloom seeds, but also has great info on how to save and preserve your own seeds. Check out their tips and how-to videos HERE. You can also download a useful Seed Saving Chart from Fruition Seeds HERE which gives guidance for many different crops.
Organic Pest Control Guide
Chemical pesticides have been linked to health problems like cancer, respiratory challenges, reproductive problems, and other concerns for humans. Likewise, these chemicals kill pollinators and do other harm to the environment around us. Learn how to deal with pests in a less damaging way with this helpful guide.
How to Build a Wicking Bed
How can you keep a raised bed well-watered when it's far from a good water source? Consider making a wicking bed. Wicking beds have a water reservoir in the bottom that allows water to be absorbed from below the soil, keeping plants happy during dry spells. Learn how to build one HERE.
Winterizing Your Garden Guide
When the winter approaches, most things stop growing in the garden, but this doesn't mean there's nothing to do. Fall and winter are a great time to prepare your garden for spring success by following these few tips. COM has compiled this handy guide sheet to get you started.
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