Inspiring participation in public affairs —
in the spirit of Thomas Jefferson’s life, thought, and ideals.

JUNE 26

SAFETY FIRST!
The garden is a place of nourishment, learning, fun, and solace. But to the uninformed, it holds its share of perils. Make sure you know what's edible. Don't step on that rake! Am I allergic to that? The safety issues are both human-made and natural. This first day we'll get a safe start in the garden.
 

JULY 3

SEEDS, GLORIOUS SEEDS
It all starts (and ends) with them: without seeds, our garden wouldn't amount to a hill of beans! A seed begins as a seed and often ends as a seed, and in between, these tiny miracles contain all that's needed to produce a sunflower, a bean, or a towering white pine. How do they do it?
 

JULY 10

DREAM GARDEN
Together we'll take a look at our garden plot and discuss what to plant and where to plant it - and why. Then, take a break in the shade with art supplies and paper to let our imaginations and creativity run wild as we design our dream garden.
 

JULY 17

WATER, WATER, (EVERY)WHERE?
If plants need water to survive, why don't we water our Community Garden? Sure, we give the little transplants a good drink to get them started, but after that, they're on their own. How do they survive? If we don't give them water, where do they get it?
 

JULY 24

THE BIRDS AND THE BEES
These guys are more important than most of us realize. Without these and other pollinators, most flowering plants couldn't produce fruits and seeds to create the next generation. Let's look at what we can do to help them help our garden!
 

JULY 31

WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?
In honor of the most neighborly of neighbors, Fred Rogers, we'll spend some time today with our neighbors in our neighborhood garden. Your job? Pitch in and be a good neighbor: bring a neighbor or a friend to community garden with you today. Then bring another neighbor some goodies from the garden.
 

AUGUST 7

NAVIGATING OUR GARDEN
What's growing where? We'll make a map of the garden, identify what's growing, and talk about companion planting - who likes to be planted next to who and why not all plants get along.
 

AUGUST 14

ARE YOU GONNA EAT THAT?
Where does the food you eat come from? What percentage of your own food do you grow? If you don't grow it, who does? Here's a look at why buying locally makes sense.
 

AUGUST 21

 WE REAP WHAT WE SOW (AND HOE!)
Today we get to taste some of the fruits (and veggies) of a summer's worth of hard work. We've learned a lot, we've worked hard, now let's enjoy and share!
 

A GARDEN FOR DAILY LIVING

Plant three rows of peas:
               Peace of mind
               Peace of heart
               Peace of soul

No garden should be without turnips:
       Turnip for service when needed
       Turnip for help one another
       Turnip the music and dance

Plant four rows of squash:
               Squash gossip
               Squash indifference
               Squash grumbling:
               Squash selfishness

Water freely with patience and
Cultivate with love.
There is much fruit in your garden
Because you reap what you sow.

Plant four rows of lettuce:
               Lettuce be faithful
               Lettuce be kind
               Lettuce be happy
               Lettuce really love                                 one another

To conclude our garden
We must have thyme:
             Thyme for fun
             Thyme for rest
             Thyme for ourselves
 

The Jefferson Legacy Foundation
Town Office Building, P.O. Box 76
Ripton, Vermont 05766
E-mail: info@jeffersonlegacy.org
Phone 802-388-7676 Fax: 802-388-1776