Discovery Garden
The Discovery Garden at LaVista Park serves to teach children, through organic means, about their natural source of food. This tangible learning experience promotes children’s connection with the soil and the natural cycles of the Earth thereby fostering an appreciation of nature that will increase the children’s “Earth Literacy”. The garden provides an alternative and creative outdoor activity and will encourage the holistic growth of the community’s consciousness.
The main purpose of the Discovery Garden is to help children learn and remember their connection to their food. The garden also makes a positive statement about the culture and values in Godfrey and the surrounding area. The Discovery Garden and its associated programs enhance the opportunities for social interaction among its cultivators.
The Community Cultivators host several programs throughout the year. Below is a list of the latest offerings and happenings at the Discovery Garden.
Family Plots (your own small garden plot at the Discovery Garden!)
$10 annual fee or 3 volunteer hours at an event
Deadline to sign up: Friday, April 25
First work and planting day*: May 03; 9am- 12pm
Mid-season cleaning day*: June 21; 9am-12pm
Late-season planting day*: August 02; 9am- 12pm
*all work days include a free kid’s garden craft activity, so that you can focus on the task at hand!
Spring 2008 Workshops. Advanced Registration requested, but not necessary
1. Organic Gardening Basics
April 20; 3-5 pm
$5 fee
Organic gardening includes thinking of plants as part of a whole system within Nature that starts in the soil and includes the placement of plants, the water supply, wildlife, and insects. Participants will learn how to garden without the use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides by learning about companion planting and design; composting; integrated pest management, and cover crops and green crops.
2. Composting
May 24; 9-11am
$30 fee with compost bin
$15 fee without compost bin
Participants will learn the basics of composting, worm bin composting, composting equipment, the pros and cons of different composting systems, and more. A hands-on portion of the workshop will include building a compost pile (participants are encouraged to bring material to add to the pile).
3. Medicinal Herb Workshop
$5 fee
June 14; 3-5pm
Participants will learn about possible medicinal uses of herbs, herb-growing, harvesting, and preserving techniques, and a discussion of the nutritional value of herbs and how they work in the body, including possible herbal interactions with medicines. A short walking tour of the Children’s Discovery Garden will be taken during the presentation.
4. Native Plants in the Garden and Landscape
$5 fee
Participants will learn how native plants were used historically, what the local varieties are, and how to plant and maintain them in their garden
Special plantings and harvests. Public invited to our free events!
Potato planting: March 28; 5-7pm
Potato harvest party: July 24; 6-8pm
Tomato harvest & party: August 16; 6:30-8:30pm
End-o-season party: October 24; 5-7pm ($3 donation to cover pumpkin carving supplies)
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