As I wrote about in an earlier post about why we started From Seed to Spoon, the Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children garden is a very special project to us. I used to drive to myself crazy thinking and reading about the news and trying to keep up with everything going on the world. I gave all that up and now dedicate that time towards things like this website, our own gardens, and helping others grow food. It’s been a transformative experience and this is one of my favorite projects. My hope is that this garden will help make a difference in the lives of the people that live there by both feeding them and showing them how to grow food, all while realizing the benefits associated with both. I’m excited to share an update on our progress in the OBHC garden and will continue to do so throughout the season!
We started out in March by dumping a huge load of wood chips out on the ground for 2 reasons:
- To create a buffer between the Bermuda grass and the garden areas
- To insulate the soil and help with creating conditions ripe for healthy soil life.
We planted some peas back then but didn’t really do much else with it. In hindsight, I probably should have started a cover crop in the beds but everything ended up working out. In April a group of volunteers came by and helped clear out all of the weeds that developed in the beds since then. They did a great job and everything looked great for us to get started planting on May 7th. I hosted a tour of my garden for a local Meetup groupand afterward several of the members stuck behind to help us get started!
Here’s a time-lapse video of us below showing us unloading compost into the beds, transplanting tomatoes and peppers, and planting corn, bush beans, cucumber, squash, basil, and many more seeds.
We will be scheduling work days in the garden throughout the summer. Helping in a community garden is a great way to learn about gardening while helping others in the process. Please reach out to me if you’re interested in helping out or donating to their garden!
Dale Spoonemore is the visionary co-founder of “From Seed to Spoon,” a groundbreaking platform that has revolutionized the way individuals approach gardening. His journey from a novice gardener to a leading advocate for sustainable living and mental wellness through gardening is a source of inspiration to many. Dale’s personal transformation and dedication to making gardening accessible and enjoyable have propelled “From Seed to Spoon” to become a vital tool for gardeners of all skill levels.
Dale’s venture into gardening began as a personal quest to improve his family’s health and well-being. Faced with the challenges of learning how to garden without prior experience, Dale turned his journey into an opportunity to simplify gardening for others. He leveraged his background in technology to develop the “From Seed to Spoon” app, which guides users through the process of starting their own gardens with ease. The app covers everything from selecting the right plants for your region to tracking your garden’s progress.
Beyond the app, Dale’s contributions to the blog reflect his deep understanding of gardening, his commitment to organic practices, and his belief in the therapeutic benefits of connecting with nature. His posts are rich with practical advice, personal anecdotes, and a clear vision for a healthier world through gardening. Dale often shares innovative gardening techniques, ways to incorporate technology into gardening, and tips for growing a wide variety of plants.
Dale’s passion for gardening is matched by his advocacy for mental health. He openly discusses how gardening has been a crucial part of his own mental health journey, offering a powerful testament to the restorative and calming effects of nurturing plants. Through his work, Dale aims to inspire others to discover gardening as a pathway to physical and mental health, sustainability, and a deeper connection with the environment.
As a key voice on the seedtospoon.net blog, Dale Spoonemore continues to educate, inspire, and empower individuals around the globe to start their own gardening adventures. His story is not just about planting seeds in the ground; it’s about planting seeds of change in communities, encouraging a shift towards more sustainable living practices, and fostering a global movement of wellness through gardening.
