THE GARDEN STORY

Retail Construction Services, Inc. is dedicated to giving back.

We give back not only to those in need within our community, but also the future generations of this wonderful community. What started out as a great idea has grown exponentially and became an amazing reality. Here at the RCS Giving Garden, school groups, master gardeners, corporate volunteers, and our own employees work together for the common good of teaching children the art of gardening and the importance of healthy eating. Click Here for Full Story.

LOCATION:
Retail Construction Services, Inc.
11343 39th Street N.
Lake Elmo, MN 55042

From HWY 36 - go south on Lake Elmo Ave, turn left onto 39th Street, garden is at corner of 39th and Laverne.
From HWY 5- going west from Stillwater take right onto Laverne (near Fury dealership) garden is on the right at corner of Laverne and 39th street.

See what else RCS and the Giving Garden are up to:
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The RCS Giving Garden

The RCS Giving Garden

5/26/11

RCS Garden Shed Begins to Take Shape!

Mike Lubarski and Bob Lubarski


St. Croix Valley ALC along with employees of RCS

While not quite complete, the RCS Giving Garden shed took shape today!  The St. Croix Valley ALC joined us in the garden for the shed building project.  We had used doors, windows and lumber donated to the construction of this garden addition. 
 
Students were divided into three groups.  Mary Gilbertson worked with a student crew on installing wall studs.  Ben Kreye instructed students on rafters and installing the old doors onto the exterior.  Mike Lubarski's student crew worked on laying out and securing the floor joists. 

The shed is ready for one last door, siding, the roof and subfloor to be completed sometime this next week.  The photo video below shows some of the student having a hands on experience in shed building 101. 

Not only will this shed be home to our well used garden gloves and tools, but will also be a place to start seedlings in the coming years!




We have water!

We have water!  Steve Bachman worked on our new irrigation layout.  The system includes soaker lines for our seeded areas as well as direct plant irrigation lines.  The system is divided into 3 zones.  The zones are controlled by timers that will water the garden early every morning at half hour increments.

Gardening requires lots of water...
most of it in the form of perspiration.
--by Lou Erickson

While this quote holds true, we are "so" grateful for our irrigation system!  Thank you Steve!

5/24/11

Planting Day!

Click to Enlarge Photos


UPS Team!


On Tuesday, May 24th, we had our garden planting day.  We were joined by the Stillwater ALC as well as a team from UPS.   The plants this year were donated by Bergmann's Greenhouse and Gardens.  Thank you Peggy and your team!  These plants are sure to bring many pounds of vegetables for the food shelf!  Thank you to Paul Ritchman from the Washinton County UofM Master Gardeners Extension program who joined us and shared his expertise!  Thank you too to our own staff at RCS who were able to join us in the garden!


ALC Group #1

This year we are trying a "wide row planting method".  Wide-row gardening means grouping several rows together, rather than planting in single rows. The seeds are staggered in an area about 4 to 5" wide.  In addition to saving space, it saves time, increases yield, plants, such as beans, are stand up better to windy conditions and it makes harvesting easier.  We are hoping that his method also doubles or triples the volume of our produce from seed starters!


ALC Group #2

This is our 3rd year and I believe we have learned some shortcuts in planting!  Work began at 9 a.m. and we were completed just before 11 a.m.!  We were all amazed how fast the process went! 

While we still have a few more additions, as well as the peanuts to plant once the plants arrive, our 2011 garden is in and ready for the summer! 


Dan Braun our Garden Layout Master!
Joy, Hannah & Becky


Toni May and a Stillwater Student

5/20/11

Framing the Garden Shed

L to R:  Mike Lubarski, Ben Kreyre and Bob Lubarski (Click to enlarge photo)

The week of May 20th, staff members of RCS began framing of the garden shed.  On May 26th the students from the Stillwater ALC will be here to help finish the project.  The shed will be constructed of reused, recycled, reclaimed doors and windows.  We will be posting pictures of the completed shed after the 26th, and again after it is painted on another project date.  The video below follows the afternoon work along with just fun antics!

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