On Thursday, March 27, the Garfield Park Lodge was buzzing with energy as a full room of eager gardeners—some seasoned, some just starting out—gathered for the Community Garden Workshop: Beginners Gardening Class. Hosted by the Grand Rapids Food Co-Op in partnership with the Grand Rapids Urban Agriculture Committee, the event was a warm and welcoming space for folks ready to get their hands in the dirt and grow their own food.
Why Garden?
The evening kicked off with a discussion on the many reasons people choose to garden, from growing fresh food to fostering a deeper connection with nature. Emily Cooney of the Grand Rapids Food Co-Op shared insights on urban agriculture and the different types of gardens people can create—whether in-ground, container gardens on patios, raised beds, or even food forests.
Gardening 101: Tips for Success
Emily had plenty of great advice for beginners, and one of her biggest takeaways was simple: Grow what you like to eat! She covered the basics of soil health, where to find quality seeds, and how to store them for future planting. Saving seeds from your best plants can set you up for success next year, as these plants have already adapted to our climate.
Starting seedlings at home is an affordable and flexible way to grow exactly what you want. Emily shared creative solutions for sprouting seedlings, emphasizing that you don’t need expensive grow lights—affordable shop lights from a hardware store work just fine. She recommended using a heat pad under seedlings to encourage sprouting and keeping lights close to prevent plants from growing too tall and weak (aka “leggy”). And forget fancy seedling pots! Recycled items like Solo cups, yogurt containers, or even toilet paper rolls work perfectly.
For those looking to source sprouting trays, she suggested checking out Bootstrapfarmer.com or FlowerLand. She also highlighted the benefits of bottom watering seedlings to encourage deep root growth.
Mulching Matters & Planting Timing
Emily stressed the importance of mulch in maintaining soil moisture and preventing weeds. If using straw, she cautioned to ensure it’s chemical-free to avoid unwanted contaminants in the garden. Wood mulch, though pricier, can be sourced for free through Chipdrop.com, which connects gardeners with local tree service companies.
She also clarified that in Michigan, frost dates are more important than USDA growing zones when planning plantings. In Grand Rapids, the last frost date is around May 15, while the first fall frost typically hits mid-October. For those eager to start now, cold-hardy crops like lettuce, kale, peas, beets, and carrots can be directly sown, and onion sets can go in the ground immediately. Potatoes can be planted in the next couple of weeks.
Hands-On Fun for All Ages
After the presentation, attendees got to put their knowledge into action. Indoors, they mapped out their gardens using graph paper, while outside, kids (and a few enthusiastic adults) planted seeds in green plastic cups. The selection included tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, sunflowers, daisies, marigolds, and more.
Looking Ahead: Plant & Seed Swap on May 10
Excited to keep the gardening momentum going? Mark your calendars for the upcoming Plant and Seed Swap on Saturday, May 10, from 10 AM to 1 PM at Garfield Park. Attendees will have the chance to take home seeds and plants, and everyone is encouraged to bring veggie plants, seeds, or even houseplants to share with the community.
Events like these are a beautiful reminder that gardening isn’t just about growing food—it’s about growing connections, knowledge, and a stronger community. We can’t wait to see what you all plant this season!