Summit teaches gardeners the proper way to 'dream green'

Over 50 community and home gardeners gathered on a chilly February evening at the Ramser 4-H Center to Dream Green and share tips for starting seeds. The event was sponsored by the Knox County Local Food Council.

A number of community businesses and organizations supported the event by donating door prizes. They include Arch Park, Community Roots, Faith Lutheran community gardens, Berlin Seed Company, Down to Earth Health Foods, Tractor Supply Company, Smith's Hardware, and Forster Garden and Wild Bird Center.

Members of the Local Food Council Community Garden network offered ideas on seeding topics from 'found' planting container supplies, to seeding and hardening young starts off after seedlings mature and are ready to be moved outside. Seed catalogs, heirloom seed information and seeds were available for participants to take. Gardeners were also asked about what gardening topics they would like to be addressed in the 2026 'Meet Me in the Garden' educational series to start in April.

Representatives from Arch Park, Community Roots, Faith Lutheran Community Garden, Gambier Village Garden and Vine and Lawn Community Garden shared information about how community gardens can serve as a benefit to communities by providing space to both grow and share local produce with neighbors and friends. Each of the community garden sites has a share table for gardeners to donate their extra produce to local food assistance sites.

Anyone interested in signing up for a community garden plot you can contact Catie Hayes at knoxcountylocalfoodcouncil@gmail.com or 740-397-1344.