MANY PEOPLE LOVE TO GARDEN.
Good fruits and vegetables can be hard to find or really expensive. When you grow your own, it costs a lot less and you get a lot more. It also gets you outside which can help with stress, concentration and preventing the development of allergies in the future. Gardening also teaches you about the world
around you. Taking care of plants teaches you planning, problem solving and creativity. It also teaches you hard work, patience and diligence, all things that you will need in the future. These are just a few of the benefits that you can reap as you become a gardener.
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MOST PLANTS START AS SEEDS.
Seeds come in all shapes and sizes and we even eat some seeds just the way they are. When you first plant a seed it grows roots and once they take hold a small plant will begin to emerge. That is called sprouting and the scientific name for this process is germination. The plant gets everything it needs to grow from its leaves through sunlight, and roots through nutrients in the ground and water. The seeds you get in a packet are dormant, or asleep, and all they need to wakeup is water. You can start your garden by planting your seeds in wet soil or wrapping them in a damp paper towel.
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ARE YOU EATING THE RAINBOW?
It’s important to eat a wide variety of colors every day because different colors represent different nutrients Our bodies need many different vitamins and minerals to be its best. When you eat nutrituous foods, you give your body the tools it needs to keep you energized, help you feel good and keep you from getting sick!
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RED ( ANTHOCYANINS, LYCOPENE)
Like apples, strawberries, and red pepers. Takes care of your heart because the color red means there are lots of “antioxidants” protecting your heart from toxins!
BLUE AND PURPLE (ANTHOCYANINS, FAVANOIDS)
Like blueberries, eggplant, and blackberries. Keep you from getting sick by boosting your immune system, help you poop, give you strong bones and get rid of the bad stuff in your tummy, and even help your memory.
WHITE (ANTHOXANTHINS)
Like potatoes, cauliflower, and onions. Like red, white fruits and vegetables can help take care of your heart.
ORANGE AND YELLOW (CAROTENOIDS)
Like carrots, cantaloupe, and summer squash. Help keep your eyes healthy, helping you to see better. They also help to fight the germs in your body to keep you from getting sick and help to keep your bones strong.
GREEN (CHLOROPHYLL)
Like kiwi, cucumbers and broccoli. Like the colors yellow and orange, the nutrients in green foods alos help your eyes and bones.
These are just a few of the good things about a colorful plate. When you are planting your garden, stick to the rainbow and you will be sure to have a balanced diet and make your tummy really happy.
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Each box has a se e d tray that you ca n sta rt yo u r p l a nt s o f f i n .
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Use your shovel to dig up some soil from outside and put a little bit in each pod.
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Place one seed in each of these pods. Be careful to mark where your plants are so that you know what fruit or vegetable you are going to get.
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Use a spray bottle filled with water to lightly wet the soil and cover with another light layer of soil. Spray with water again.
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Put your seed tray in a window that gets lots of sunshine and spray it every day with some water. Be sure not to add too much.
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Once your plants have germinated, or there is a little sprout growin g out of the s oi l , c ut the pod o u t o f t h e t r a y.
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If you can’t plant your seeds in your yard, take a plant in g t rey a nd fi l l i t a l i ttl e a bove ha l f way w i t h so i l .
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Place your pods in the soil as far apart as the packet instructs. Cover with soil right up to the place where the seed has sprouted.
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Use your plant stakes to mark where your plants are in your yard or tray.
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Be sure to water your plant as often as the seed packet instructs and place it in a window or place it in your yard where it will get lots of sun.
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Pull out any weak plants that might attract predators.
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Build healthy, organic soil by composting, or recycling old biodegradable food and newspapers by putting them in the soil of your garden. This makes your plants grow extra strong.
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Keep the garden clear of weeds and debris, or trash.
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Rotate crops, or grow something different e v e r y o t h e r y e a r.
NOBODY WANTS BUGS IN THEIR FOOD, but some of the chemicals
that are used to get rid of bugs are really bad for you. That’s why it’s important to find other ways to keep all the bugs off of your plants. Here are some ways to keep your fruits and vegetables pest-free.
Remember, not all bugs are bad. Some wasps, ladybugs, lacewings, hover-flies and praying mantis are all good bugs to have in your garden. AVANT GARDENER
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THERE ARE LOTS OF YUMMY WAYS TO EAT YOUR VEGETABLES. Most vegetables can be eaten
raw and have the most good stuff left in them when you eat them this way. It is always yummy to eat bananas, apples and celery with peanut butter or carrots, broccoli, and celery with your favorite salad dressing. For the times you want something yummy to go with dinner here are some fun recipes to try with the chef in your family.
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p.s. tear me out and put me with you’re other recepies!
INGREDIENTS
1
head of fresh broccoli, c u t a n d s t e a m e d
1 2
cup cheddar cheese, grated
1/ 2
large
white
eggs
cup of Italian breadcrumbs salt and pepper to taste
P R E PA R AT I O N
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. M i x t h e i n g re d i e n t s t o g e t h e r i n a l a rg e b o w l . F o r m s m a l l p a t t i e s and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, then turn over patties and bake for another 10 minutes.
&
Let cool for up to 5 minutes. Serve warm.
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INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 5 2
quarts
of
water
c u p s t h i n ly s l i c e d ca r rot s tablespoons honey
1/ 2
teaspoon
1/ 4
teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
of
salt
P R E PA R AT I O N
Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add carrots; cook for 20 m i n u t e s o r u n t i l t e n d e r. D r a i n
l i q u i d
w e l l .
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Place carrots and remaining ingredients in a large bowl; toss gently.
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INGREDIENTS
2 1
cups
of
green
teaspoon s a l t
beans
olive
t o
oil
t a s t e
P R E PA R AT I O N
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. C o a t
i n
o l i v e
o i l .
Sprinkle salt over all of the beans. Bake
for
twenty
minuets.
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Let cool for up to 5 minuets. Serve warm.
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NOTES
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AVANT GARDENER
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Winter Park, Florida
32789 - 5783
C O N TA C T
ADDRESS
600 New England Avenue
407.660.1111 hey@avantgardener.com