7 Tips For Building Your Own Family Garden For Earth Day

At Bob Evans, we are grateful for the natural resources the planet provides to help us grow bountiful crops of fruits and vegetables for all our recipes. Being the home of America’s Farm Fresh, our brand promise is reflected through everything we do from the ways we support our farm partners to our efforts to reduce food waste by redirecting surplus food to local food banks.

As a company, we are constantly working to improve our sustainability practices through our everyday operations. To us, every day is Earth Day. But this year, we’re sharing a great way to get outside and show a little love to our world by starting your own family garden!

You don’t need to be an expert to start your own garden – in fact, all it takes is some patience, planning and preparation. To help you and your family begin planting, our Bob Evans Farm Manager, Chris Williams, offers some simple gardening tips:

1. Choose The Right Garden Location

Choosing your location will depend on the space you have available, but no matter where you are, you can have the satisfaction of growing your own food. Consider using small pots on a balcony, a 10 x 10 feet raised bed in a small backyard or even a 25 x 25 feet plowed piece of land if you live in the country. The size of your garden should be manageable so you don’t get overwhelmed on your first try.

2. Start With Seeds or Plants – Both Work!

Whether you start seeds on your own or visit your local nursery, you can start your garden however you like, regardless of the size. Seeds can be started indoors beginning in March through May. Consider using common items around the house like egg cartons, old paper towel rolls, water bottles or milk jugs as your seed trays. Throw in some potting soil, then place your seed containers on window sills or tables in sunlight. Be sure to recycle them when you transplant your seedlings outside or to bigger pots. On the other hand, plants can be purchased and directly planted outside anytime after the last frost, which is usually mid to late April, depending on where you live.

3. Grow What You Know

Basic plants like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans and pumpkins are usually easy to grow. Remember, cucumbers are vining plants so they will need ample room, while tomatoes should be staked up with a wooden pole or wire support so they don’t droop over from the weight of their fruit.

4. Best Tools For Your Garden

This includes a simple garden hoe, a small trowel and a watering can. Be sure to get some pint-sized tools so the little ones can also pitch in. Gloves may also be a good idea for those who don’t like to get their hands dirty.

5. Compost Your Own Soil

At Bob Evans, we believe it’s important to recycle and take care of our environment, so the fertilizer at our Rio Grande location comes from the farm’s compost pile. You can do the same at home by having a small space or container to pile coffee grounds, eggshells, grass clippings and even shredded newspaper.

6. Conserve Your Own Water

When it comes to watering our crops at the Bob Evans Farm in Rio Grande, we collect rain in barrels. You can do this at home by setting up a plastic garbage can, turning the lid upside down and punching holes in the lid. This teaches kids to conserve water from the tap and use what nature gives us.

7. Good for the Soul and Soil

Besides the benefits of exercise and fresh air, gardening teaches children responsibility and learning what happens when you take care of a garden (and when you don’t!). You also have the satisfaction of being able to eat something you have grown yourself, and can even donate what you’ve grown to organizations that feed those less fortunate.

As you get started on your garden, we’re also testing our green thumbs with a new garden Down on the Farm. Located next to our signature Bob Evans barn in Rio Grande, OH, we will grow fresh produce like tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli and more. All of the produce harvested from the garden will be donated to a local food pantry. Chris and her team will also get some help planting and caring for the garden from Vinton Elementary School students. Stay tuned for more!

Show us your garden and how you’re celebrating Earth Day with #BobFarms