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

3/23/15

New Snow, Greenhouses, Seeds and Hope!

RCS Teaching Giving Garden Greenhouse  (Click to enlarge)
We had a new snow fall today!  Our greenhouse is covered, but it won't be long until those seed's of hope are planted and the youth return to the garden to learn where their food comes from!

We received an email from Julie Froslan Ferralez, Food Shelf Manager at Valley Outreach food shelf, where all of our produce is donated.  She said:

"As winter, theoretically, comes to an end, my attention has now been turned to garden produce and the Retail Construction Giving Garden was our top donor last year! Your support is so crucial in Valley Outreach’s efforts to bring fresh produce to our clients."

We are so excited for the greenhouse to shed its new winter coat, for what the new year brings, increasing our produce donation, and hearing the laughter of children back in the garden!

Audrey Hepburn said "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow"  - I'd like to add to that;  "To plant a Teaching Giving Garden is to believe in the youth of tomorrow!"

- Contributing writer - Joni Fletty

3/9/15

A.J. Moses, Beekeeper, Feeding the Teaching Giving Garden Bees!

Bee covered A.J. Moses!
(Click on any photo to enlarge)
A.J. Moses stopped out on Saturday and again today to feed the bees. Today he was going to add a few frames of honey for them to use as food, but there was plenty of honey in the hive!  This past Saturday, he stopped by and put a Pollen Patty inside the hive for the bees to feed on.  Here is what A.J. wrote:

"Bees have a great gift for storing food to get themselves through  the winter.  Mostly, they store a surplus of honey late in the season, using empty brood cells in the comb for food storage.  They also store pollen, but often not enough to ensure adequate supplies for that time before trees and flowers start blooming.  They also need temperatures high enough for foraging.

So we can feed a pollen patty to ensure they don't run short.  Like with our bodies, Bees require both carbohydrates - honey, and protein - pollen. 

In late February or early March the queen starts laying eggs for the coming season.  Worker bees tasked with feeding the larvae must have adequate supplies of pollen.  Pollen triggers their instinct to tend and feed said larvae. 

One note - honey bees typically prefer pollen they've stored, but most experienced beekeepers realize adding a pollen patty in early spring is an important safety net.

 - A.J. Moses - Beekeeper 

Thank you A.J. for all that you do for the bees at the RCS Teaching Giving Garden!
- contributing writer, Joni Fletty

3/5/15

RCS Giving Garden Memories 2009-2014

While we look forward to the upcoming 2015 growing season, here are some RCS Giving Garden Memories 2009-2014!


- contributing writer, Joni Fletty
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