Tips for Creating an Edible Garden: Anytime and Anywhere By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
People have become more health-conscious in the last year, seeking relaxing activities and projects that give them a sense of accomplishment. According to the National Gardening Association, many Americans are growing or planning to grow their own fruits, herbs, and vegetables in 2022. More than 18.3 million new gardeners are trying their hand at growing their own flowers or produce. While growing your edible garden can be exciting, there are a few things to consider before you start. It can all feel a bit overwhelming, but with tips from Garrett Magee, the design mastermind behind the landscape design firm Manscapers, you can create the ultimate edible garden, no matter the time of year or where you live. Here are a few suggestions to help your garden sprout. 1) Think about what you already eat Before you start digging, plan your edible garden by looking inside your fridge to see what kinds of produce you buy from the grocery store. By growing fruits and veggies you like, you do not have to worry about them going to waste. If you have kids, grow the fruits and veggies they enjoy, too.
KAISER PERMANENTE MEDICARE HEALTH PLANS YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT TO SWITCH to a 5 out of 5-Star rated Medicare Health Plan for 2022* Rated 5 out of 5 Stars in Georgia in 2022* — Medicare’s highest possible rating.
Nakia Vaughn
Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist
2) Start small When building your edible garden, start small by growing plants out of a window box or small garden bed. As you get more comfortable, slowly expand and scale up the following year. Fruit and vegetable gardens are typically low maintenance, but they are never no maintenance, so be patient and stay on a regular schedule. You’ll develop your green thumb in no time. 3) Grow a vertical garden if you live in a big city If you live in an urban environment or don’t have a traditional backyard, every square inch of space is precious. However, that does not mean it’s impossible to garden. Focus on growing your produce up rather than out with tools like a garden trellis, which works well for supporting high-climbing plants like cucumbers. 4) Go green For the quickest turnaround on your homegrown crops, focus on leafy greens like lettuce, kale, spinach, and herbs. These vegetables are easy to grow, whether in a window box or a big backyard garden. Plus, you can continuously harvest them throughout the season. Important tip: when harvesting leafy greens, use scissors to cut off the outer leaves at the base of the stem. That way, they can grow new leaves in the center. 5) Find more ways to incorporate fruits and veggies into your life Growing an edible garden can help you to eat more of the fresh produce you love. However, you can also incorporate fruits and veggies into your daily routine with a Naked Juice smoothie. Naked Rainbow Machine is a sip-able rainbow made from the juices of apples, mangos, bananas, kiwis, blueberries, blackberries, and red beets. “Beets are not only one of the ingredients, but also my favorite superfood,” says Magee. “They are a great end-of-season vegetable and can be planted at the end of spring or from June to September.” (BPT)
Ryan’s Remarks Continued from page 7 differences aside. This is not the time for Republicans or Democrats, but it is the time to come together and focus on our common humanity. We are all human beings made of flesh and blood. So, keep your head up. This too shall pass. You cannot control some things that are happening; however, you can absolutely choose how you respond to them. Finally, thank you as always for being in our corner. It means a lot to all of us. And thank you for continuing with us on the journey of my town, your town, Our Town.
470-352-7929 (TTY 711) Nakia.R.Vaughn@kp.org
K Hair Salon
*Every year, Medicare evaluates plans, based on a 5-star rating system. Kaiser Permanente is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Kaiser Permanente depends on contract renewal. You must reside in the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan service area in which you enroll. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Nine Piedmont Center, 3495 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305. 722688291-NV_D 10/21 H1170_021_42_D_M PAGE 8
Haircuts for men, women and kids Colors | hi-lo lights | balayage | ombré Perm | Japanese Straight Perm | Updo Makeup | Waxing | Eyelash extensions
$9.99 $16.00 $15 off men’s haircut
Expires 3-15-22
women’s haircut
Expires 3-15-22
hair color, highlight
Expires 3-15-22
3035 Five Forks Trickum Rd | Lilburn, Ga 30047 | Suite 8 | 678-915-2786 Tue-Fri: 10 am-6:30 pm | Sat: 9:30 am-5:30 pm | Sun: 12 pm-5 pm | Monday: closed
Become an Advertising Partner: Info@OurTown Gwinnett.com or 678-825-2049
