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

8/16/16

Looks Like We Missed Some! Squash Bugs in Action!

Looks Like We Missed Some!  
Squash Bugs in Action!
Earlier this season we spent time inspecting our squash family plants for small, red,  seed-like eggs on the underside of the leaves.  We removed many but obviously not all!  Here is what those little buggers look like now in the nymph and adult stages.  In case you are finding these in your own gardens, check out this University of Minnesota Extension publication.
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The latest and greatest photos of our wonderful volunteers in action!
July 27th-- Woodbury Peaceful Grove UMC
43 pounds harvested by these lovely ladies!
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Carolina Reaper Pepper!  These hotties are saved for Bob at RCS!
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This beautiful Swallowtail caterpillar was feeding on a carrot plant.
August 1st-- Adventure Club/Spin kids
Lots of bug-picking, our first cabbage harvest and 53 pounds to give!
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August 3rd--Woodbury Peaceful Grove UMC
What a steamy day!  Master Gardener Liz and the boys stayed hydrated and were still smiling!
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August 8th--Adventure Club/Spin kids
These girls harvested 45 pounds plus filled bags of veggies for their own families!
We learned how to help our busy bees pollinate our squash family plants by transferring pollen from flower to flower on small paintbrushes.
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Hippie Headbands!  Here is our attempt at a visual reminder NOT to pick the winter squash until later in the season.
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Garden friends...tree frogs and bees
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Garden foes...Japanese Beetles!  Soy Bean leaves are their current garden favorite


August 9th-- Woodbury Peaceful Grove UMC 3-5th Grade Daycamp Kids
Led by Master Gardeners Mary and Jessica
The critter of the day was a garter snake!  Composting, herb identification and pollination were the mini-lessons of the day.
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August 12th-- Master Gardener Deb and the LaFontaine family plus new puppy Agate.  I hope she liked the sunflower corner!  67 pounds harvested!  
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Corn Smut!  
MG Deb and the kids found this fungus while checking for the ripeness of the corn.  She shared that some people eat this fungus!  In Mexico it is known as “huitlacoche” and is eaten usually as a filling in quesadillas and other tortilla-based foods and soups.  I know what I’ll be looking for with tomorrow’s group though I think I may pass on the taste test!



     As of August 12th, our volunteers have harvested
512 pounds of vegetables to donate to Valley Outreach families!  Great work all!