Cultivating Biodiversity in Urban Orchards

We are thrilled to present a guest blog post from Ilyse Putz, Giving Grove Program Manager at Grow North Texas, on biodiversity in urban spaces, exploring the transformative potential of urban orchards. In this insightful piece, Ilyse reflects on her upbringing amidst monoculture farming in the Midwest and the pressing need to cultivate biodiversity in both rural and urban settings. By discussing the role of urban orchards, particularly those managed by The Giving Grove, Ilyse highlights how these green spaces can enhance biodiversity, support diverse ecosystems, and offer cultural significance to local communities. Dive into this post to discover how urban orchards can serve as vital biodiversity havens in our increasingly fragmented landscapes.

Transforming Urban Spaces: The Power of Permaculture Design with Tree Pittsburgh

Guest Blog Post from Giving Grove affiliate Tree Pittsburgh with practical information on planting a food forest using permaculture techniques.

Knowledge, SustainabilityGuest UserJune 4, 2024Tree Pittsburgh, Food Forest, Permaculture, Fruit Forest

Unlocking the Potential of School Gardens

Community, Health, Kindness, Knowledge, Opportunity, SustainabilityGuest UserOctober 9, 2023Giving Grove New England, ReTreeUS, Giving Grove Affiliate, Three Sisters, School Orchards

Nurturing Growth and Community

Knowledge, Community, Health, Kindness, Opportunity, SustainabilitySarah SikichSeptember 6, 2023

500 Orchards Creates Sustainable Impact

Kindness, Opportunity, Sustainability, Community, Health, KnowledgeErica KratofilJuly 6, 2023monthly giving, stewardship, sustained giving

With a Cherry on Top!

Giving Grove horticulturist Matt Bunch discusses choosing and growing cherries!

Knowledge, SustainabilityGuest UserJune 6, 2023Cherries, Cherry, Fruit Tree, Horticulture

Steward Spotlight: Dael Umanzor (14 yrs old)

Giving Grove’s youngest orchard steward explains in his own words why planting trees is important!

Community, Sustainability, Kindness, KnowledgeSarah SikichMay 12, 2023Steward Spotlight, Guest Blog

The Serving: December 2023

Published quarterly, The Serving covers backyard orcharding, fruit tree management, helpful harvest tips, and Giving Grove updates. Thank you for helping make a big impact with little orchards!

The Power of Fish Fertilizer in the Orchard

Fish fertilizer is an essential ingredient for a fruit tree holistic spray. Guest blogger, Casey Schoenberger, explains why this fish-tastic fertilizer is not only the best you can offer your trees, but also the best for the environment as well.

Do Fruit Trees Need Probiotics?

Some of the things that probiotics do for fruit trees (and trees in general) are a lot like what they do for your digestion. Each teaspoonful of probiotics contains millions of microbes that quickly spread over the roots or leaves of a plant. There they crowd out other organisms that might not be good for the health of the plant, just like our gut biotic products help establish healthy biomes in your intestines.

Knowledge, SustainabilityGuest UserSeptember 13, 2021Probiotics, Orchard Maintenance

Plant a Tree in Honor of Earth Day!

Celebrated by more than 1 billion people across 192 countries, Earth Day is the world’s largest civic observance! Created over 50 years ago by then-Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day is a day to spread awareness about environmental sustainability and promote environmental protection.

Opportunity, SustainabilitySarah SikichApril 15, 2021Earth Day, Tree Planting

Make Fruitful Difference This Arbor Day

Nothing sparks as much excitement and anticipation for Kansas City gardeners as the warmer temperatures and longer days that come in April. Every year we anxiously await the thawing of soil so that we may tenderly plant, care for, and harvest our annual vegetable gardens, enjoying the fruits of our labors for many months of the year. Tomatoes, peppers, greens, and beans are sure to be on your list of veggies this year, but have you considered adding a fruit tree to the mix?

Opportunity, Community, SustainabilitySarah SikichApril 7, 2021Arbor Day, Tree Planting

Guest Post: The Journey to Urban Orcharding

Guest Blogger, Chris Smyth of The Common Orchard Project, writes about his experience with urban, regenerative agriculture and its importance to a community.

Knowledge, SustainabilityGuest UserFebruary 3, 2021Guest Blog

Guest Post: The Ever Controversial Japanese Beetle Trap

To trap or not to trap, that is the ever present question when it comes to Japanese beetles. The shiny green Japanese beetle was introduced to the northeastern United States from East Asia in the early 1900’s and has made its slow march south and west ever since.

Knowledge, SustainabilitySarah SikichJuly 23, 2020Orchard Maintenance, japanese beetle

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