PRESS RELEASE Heritage Sandy Springs Presents Little Diggers Gardening Program
Heritage Sandy Springs released the 2017 schedule for Little Diggers, a free family gardening series about the fascinating world of horticulture and g
ardening. Presented by Heritage Sandy Springs, in partnership with the North Fulton Master Gardeners and in cooperation with UGA Extension in Fulton County, Little Diggers is best suited for children ages 6-10 with accompanying adult. Little Diggers will kick off the 2017 season on Saturday, May 13 when kids will have a chance to make a Mother’s Day gift of bath salts from herbs and household ingredients.
“We provide activities that allow children to have fun while learning about the natural world around them,” said Chris Adams of the North Fulton Master Gardeners. “Playing with dirt helps them appreciate the plants. It’s important for children to know how seeds grow and where their food comes from.”
Little Diggers is presented on the 2nd Saturday of the month, May through October, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Heritage Sandy Springs Farmers Market, 6100 Lake Forrest Drive (Century Springs East, corner of Mt. Vernon Hwy and Lake Forrest Drive).
The full 2017 schedule is as follows:
Saturday, May 13: “Fragrant Herbs”
Bring your sense of smell to the market! Smell and touch fragrant herbs, then plant an herb to take home and grow. You will get the opportunity to learn about herbs and how they are used in cooking and aromatherapy. Make some bath salts from herbs and household ingredients to take home for a Mother’s Day gift!
Saturday, June 10: “Plant an Ice Cream Cone”
Did you know you can use an ice cream cone for something other than ice cream? Come to the market and plant a spring vegetable in an unusual container, such as ice cream cones or peat pots. These containers can be planted in the ground, or larger pot with the vegetable plant, and it will decompose. You will learn about how plants grow and what vegetables are good to plant in Georgia in the early summer.
Saturday, July 8: “Kokedama / Japanese Moss Balls”
Kokedama is a style of Japanese bonsai, where a plant’s root system is wrapped in sphagnum moss and bound with string, transforming it into a sculptural art form. Loosely translated, ‘koke’ means moss and ‘dama’ means ball. Come to the market to create your own moss ball. You will get a small plant to place in your moss ball – then just take it home and hang it in a window!
Saturday, August 12: “Wildflower Seed Balls”
Learn about native plants and wildflowers and how they help provide habitat for birds, butteries, and other wildlife. Then, get ready to get your hands dirty as you make a messy seed ball to take home and plant!
Saturday, September 9: “Lettuce Bowls – Grow Your Own Salad”
“Lettuce” be healthy! Lettuce is a fast growing vegetable that does well in cooler weather in Georgia. It also does well in containers. Come to the market and learn about cool season vegetables, as you plant lettuce seeds in a container to take home.
Saturday, October 14: “Bulbs”
Fall is a great time to plant bulbs for spring! Did you know you can also force bulbs in containers to grow in a sunny window? Join us at the market to learn about growing bulbs and see how you can grow bulbs in a container with only rocks and water (not soil). Each participant will get to take home a container of bulbs they have planted.
For more information, visit www.heritagesandysprings.org.
