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.

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The RCS Giving Garden

The RCS Giving Garden

8/23/16

“38% of our clients are children”

8/22/16
 
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As I dropped off produce to Valley Outreach last week, I couldn’t help but freeze in my tracks when I saw this postcard.  We are so happy we can help provide fresh fruit and veggies to stock the shelves for our communities’ families in need of grocery assistance.  This garden season we have had the pleasure of working with hundreds of volunteers, mostly kids, and we don’t always know their stories.  Are their bellies full?  Do they have access to fresh produce?  This is why we now are offering kids the choice of taking home a bag filled with a few veggies to share with their families.  They are so excited to be able to pick some to keep and some to share!  
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8/15/15  Adventure Club’s last visit for the season!


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Eggplant kissing!?
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This banana pepper grew a curl just like our volunteer’s hair!
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The broccoli keeps coming!
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Checking out the Sunflower House
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Squash Bugs!  YUK!
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We made ‘fancy appetizers!”  
Cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella pearls layered on toothpicks and drizzled with olive oil and sea salt--delicious!
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Master Gardeners Kathy and Sue say goodbye for 2016
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Bye kids!  Enjoy the rest of your summer!  We are grateful for your enthusiasm and helping hands!




8/17/16  Time For Me Kids Check on Their Sunflower House!
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Almost touching the sky!
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Tea Party in the shady Sunflower House!
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Crazy Plants!  Some have ponytails (Amaranth) and some are shy to touch (Sensitive Plant).  Master Gardener Sue helped the kids pot up some extra to take home!  Thanks Master Gardener Dave for sharing!
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Everyone took home tomatoes!
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Picking pears!
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Watermelon popsicles!
Come back and see the sunflowers soon!




8/19/16  Garden Friends harvest 110 pounds!
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Gypsy Peppers and Green Beans


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Muddy veggies need a little scrubbing!
Bree, our frequent Friday volunteer, and Sydney washing cabbage and onions.
Elise and Connie doing some radish cleaning.
Not pictured, but vital to this harvest--Master Gardener Deb!
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The LaFontaine family and puppy Agate came back to help!  He likes pears!  I had great difficulty getting any work completed today with this little guy around.  Amy, Caden, Addie and Anna come back year after year.  Thanks to you!
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60 pounds of fresh ‘Peaches and Cream’ Sweet Corn heading into Valley Outreach!
Thanks to my dear friend, Connie, for your visit from “Egypt (Lake Minnetonka area!).”  Thanks to frequent volunteers Elise and Sydney for continuing to help each year!