CRC Regent Park Community Food Centre and the Centre for Community Partnerships
Bloom: Hi, I'm Bloom and I want to grow my own tomatoes to bring to my community potluck. The only problem is I don't know how to grow them!
Grandma: My dear Bloom, I can help you with that. Bloom: Wow, thanks grandma.
Bloom: So, how do I start, grandma? Grandma: To begin, you will need to gather your tools and seeds. Bloom: Oh perfect! I'll ask my mom to help me find them in the shed over there.
Mom: Of course, dear. Grandma: Then we can start planting!
Grandma: These are the tools you need to grow tomatoes. Mom: A shovel to help you dig the soil when seeding. Grandma: Stakes to prevent the tomatoes from falling. Mom: A watering can to water the plants to make them grow. Grandma: And gloves for safety. Mom: And don't forget the seeds.
Grandma: Let's get started. First, you need seeds for your tomatoes. Then you will need soil.
Grandma: Then, we need compost for the soil. Bloom: Let's ask my mom! Mom: Composting reduces food waste and helps the garden grow. You can create compost with eggshells, coffee grinds and teabags. Grandma: Composting takes time. Remember to be patient!
Step 1: Seedling
Grandma: Finally, don't forget to put the seedling in the soil.
Bloom: I can't believe my tomato plant is starting to sprout! I can't wait for it to grow big and tall!
Bloom: Grandma, what can I do to help the plant grow?
Grandma: You can help your tomato plant to grow by watering it properly. Use a watering can and water near the roots. This keeps the plant healthy. Sunlight, water and air are very important.
Step 2: Flowers
Bloom: I'm so happy that my tomato plants are growing big and tall – but oh no – some of them are starting to lean over and fall.
Grandma: A droopy tomato plant is nothing that a bit of staking can't fix! Stakes prevent the plant from falling over. It also helps the plant get sunlight. Sunlight is very important!
Step 3: Fruits
Bloom: Hey, what are these plants? They were not there before.
Grandma: They are weeds, we do not want these plants because they can harm the tomatoes! Be careful, Bloom! You have to remove them correctly. You must pull from the roots.
Grandma: Bloom, you must ask a grown up, so you don't hurt yourself. Let's ask your mother. Remember to always ask an adult for help!
Step 4: Tomatoes
Bloom: Wow, the tomatoes are fully grown! Grandma: Yes, of course they are. You have worked so hard! I am proud of you, Bloom!
Grandma: Bloom, now that your tomatoes are fully grown, it's time to harvest! Bloom: What is harvesting, Grandma?
Grandma: When your plant grows, it's time to share them with your community. Bloom: Yay! I can bring it to the potluck. I'm so excited!
Bloom (to herself): I am so excited to share my tomatoes with my community! I am so proud of my hard work!
Summer: I also want to grow my own plants and share with my friends like Bloom! Bloom: Thank you! I grew them myself with the help of my grandma!
Spring: Wow! Bloom, your tomatoes look great and taste so fresh!
Autumn: Me too! I want to grow strawberries, they are my favorite fruit!
Winter: Let's create our own garden where we can grow food and share with everyone!
Bloom: Let's ask my grandma for help!
Bloom: Grandma, grandma!
Grandma: Community gardening makes your community strong and healthy. It is good for the environment and it brings a community together. Let us all work together. We can grow what our kids and neighbors love to eat! Community gardening is for everybody, no matter who you are!
Soil is all around us, but it is not always good for growing plants. You can fertilize your soil by mixing in compost, which is organic material that gradually breaks down over time. You can do this indoors with the help of special worms or compost outside in a bin. Adding your own compost to the soil is free and reduces waste. There is so much to learn! There are many great gardening books at your local library.
Another way to learn is to find a community garden nearby and volunteer. Community gardening is all about exchanging knowledge and sharing food!
Authors
Meet our interdisciplinary team of students from the Centre for Community Partnerships at the University of Toronto
Alexandra Portolos
Iman Togone
Jasmine Chopra
Jasmine Mackinnon
Illustrator
Stephanie Anagnostou
Iris Deng
@shh.who.draws
Community Garden Coordinator
Coordinator, CoCurricular Learning
Ashrafi Ahmed
Cherrie Kwok
(CRC Regent Park Community Food Centre)
(Centre for Community Partnerships)