PunkinFutz Survival Guide No. 40

RESOURCES, EVENTS, TIPS, AND SUPPORT ALL IN ONE PLACE, EVERY MONDAY.

The 2021 weekly PunkinFutz Survival Guide has an updated look and feel. We focus on a single topic per issue - something relevant and timely.  PunkinFutz does not receive any fee or consideration from the organizations we highlight and we prioritize FREE resources.  If you are looking for any past issues, they can all be accessed here.  
Please tell me what you think (I really need your feedback!)
I am ready for Spring!  This is the year that I will finally get something to grow and now is the time to get started.  Come join me!
Gardening has amazing benefits for children, from social-emotional learning to perceptual, sensory and physical development.  The US Department of Health & Human Services has some excellent educational resources to help get you started.  Check them all out here.  My favorites include:
I did not even realize that The Farmer's Almanac was still in print!  Sure enough, when I went looking for resources for starting my own garden, they had excellent free ones!
1) Start with their Beginner's Guide to Vegetable Gardening here.
2) Pick which plants you intend to grow.  Recommendations here.
3) Get a growing guide for the vegetables and/or fruits you have chosen here.
4) Start with seeds or plants?  Indoors or out?  Find out here.
5) When should we start planting?  The Farmer's Almanac has a free tool that tells you when to start plants based upon your location here.  
NYC Parks Department 
I never cease to be amazed by the depth and breadth of resources, activities and events offered by the NYC Parks Department! 
  • This week is the 37th annual Green Thumb Grow Together Conference!  Events through Saturday, February 27th.  Free!  Register here.
  • Information about all of the accessibility features of NYC parks can be found here.
  • Once it gets a little warmer, be sure to check out NYC's Sensory Garden at Pelham Bay in the Bronx.  More information can be found here.  
Odds & Ends

Life Lab: the most complete resource I found for educators interested in integrating gardening into their curriculum.  Endless valuable links!

Creating a Sensory Garden: This is a terrific one-pager about the plants to consider in creating the sights, smells, textures, sounds and tastes that are safe for kids in a garden.  A second resource for choosing your sensory garden plants can be found here.

Gardening in the City: For those of you, like us, that have very limited space, this is a great article about what will grow well with limited space.

Family Art Project:  Trellises, Troughs and All the Ways I Grow.  This is a free program from Wave Hill that requires registration.  Link here.  
Come join us for the Benanna Band!  Free produce-inspired fun.

A  B I T  O F  F U N

Here are two minutes of inspiration to get you ready to start gardening.  Happy Monday!
A short film by Vladimir Vorobyov.
Please note, PunkinFutz is in no way affiliated with any of the organizations covered in this newsletter.  PunkinFutz receives no compensation, directly or indirectly, from any organization or entity mentioned.