Gardening

The farm-to-school program is in full bloom at Lee County's Caloosa Middle School and the community has rallied around the program.

Education

Green thumbs are helping make things grow at Lee County schools

Jessica Bowlby

Gardens are popping up all over Lee County, thanks to programs like farm-to-school. In February alone the Lee County School District expanded its garden program to 14 schools. Farm-to-school teaches students about healthy eating and also produces fresh food for school cafeterias.

Health

Kiwanis donation helping Pine Manor group solve food insecurity

Eddie Stewart

The Pine Manor Improvement Association is now one step closer to its goal of reducing food insecurity in Pine Manor, thanks to a $7,500 donation from The Fort Myers Metro-McGregor Kiwanis.The funds will be used on the electrical and foundation work for a new refrigeration system for fresh fruits and vegetables in the Pine Manor Community Center’s food pantry. The expansion of the food pantry is also funded by American Rescue Plan Act funding through Lee County, and will include walk-in cooler/freezer and commercial grade shelving.

Pine Manor Community Garden Chair Robin Gretz points to plants in a section of the garden. Xx xxx, an FGCU alumnus, and

Human Interest

Pine Manor Community Garden harvests $1,000 grant for bringing change to the community

Eddie Stewart

According to the Pine Manor Community Garden Chair Robin Gretz, the legacy of the garden is not what’s been grown, but the effect it’s had on the community.

Arlo Simonds harvests bananas at Pine Manor in Fort Myers, Florida, on November 19, 2021. The garden grows foods that remind the residents of home.

Pine Manor Garden provides food and opportunities for volunteers

Isabella Cummings

In the low-income neighborhood of Pine Manor, a community garden makes a big difference in helping residents access resources at a time when prices are high and supply chains are stretched.

Originally from South America, nasturtiums are an easy-to-grow annual that pack a double wallop: bright, beautiful flowers and edible leaves, pods, and blooms. This vining annual can be grown year-round in most of Florida, but will die back to the ground during a freeze. Nasturtium leaves are round and smooth, and its numerous flowers are yellow, orange, or red. Nasturtiums are easy to grow. Plant seeds from spring through fall throughout Florida and year-round in South Florida

How to grow an edible garden in Southwest Florida for homeowners and apartment dwellers

Tara Calligan

Find out how you can get started with your own edible, Florida-friendly garden, and if you’re not a homeowner, find tips on creating indoor and container garden setups.

Growing Fruit Trees in Florida and How to Use Your Summer Surplus

Matthew F Smith

Summers in Florida can often find boxes of surplus mangos or avocados shared among friends and colleagues, when fruiting trees leave growers with more…

On Arbor Day, Expert Advice on Tree Threats from Fire to Hurricanes

Matthew F Smith

Tree care in Florida is different from tree care up north, and on Arbor Day on Gulf Coast Live, an ISA Certified Arborist from Naples shares his expertise…

https://www.flickr.com/photos/42647587@N06/3971764479

Getting Your Florida Garden Growing

Matthew F Smith

As much of the rest of the contrary digs out from snow storms, Florida green thumbs say now is the time to start digging into the dirt to get your garden…

Front-Yard Farming: The Benefits and the Legal Battles

John Davis

A judge in Florida’s 11th Judicial Circuit is expected to rule in the coming weeks on a lawsuit filed by a south Florida couple against the Miami Shores…

Cathy Nunnally, Linda Gassenheimer and Debi La Belle

Edible Garden Program and Food Forests in Miami Dade County Schools

Joseph Cooper

08/17/15 - 1:30 -Syndicated food columnist Linda Gassenheimer, Special wine correspondent Fred Tasker and WLRN hosts Joseph Cooper and Bonnie Berman...