Resources

Types of gardens

Hoop Houses, Poly-Houses and Greenhouses
Hoop houses are a kind of greenhouse.  The Center for Innovative Food Technology http://www.eisc.org/ has supported a hoop house at Bittersweet Farms.

Jerry Palermo jpalermo@sjtitans.org president of Feed the Hungry at St. John's Jesuit Academy http://www.sjjtitans.org/ has been active in constructing hoop houses, greenhouses and vertical gardens, then donating the food to local homeless shelters and food banks. 

The Sisters of St. Francis have a four season poly-house (greenhouse) which proves that food can be produced year-round in Ohio.  Phone: 419-824-3623. See a picture on our Faith Gardens page.

Rain Gardens
A rain garden is a garden in a low spot that catches and slows storm water from downspouts, driveways, parking lots, and roads and allows it to infiltrate into the soil with the help of deep-rooted plants that like water.  http://www.raingardeninitiative.org/

Sofia Quintero Center Rain Garden Pilot Project  http://www.raingardeninitiative.org/Pilot-Sofia.html

Vertical Gardens
A good example of a modern hydroponic vertical garden may be found at Toledo Seagate Foodbank http://www.seagatefoodbank.org/index.php?src= The Center for Innovative Food Technology helped build a Vertical Garden at Flower Hospital.

Equipment for small or large vertical gardens may be purchased at http://www.vertigro.com/index.php

Raised Beds
If your soil is difficult to work or poor in quality, it may be advisable to use raised beds.  A good example may be found at Christ Presbyterian Church, listed on our Sample Gardens page.

Successful Faith Garden Projects (willing to share experiences)

Center of Hope Community Baptist Church, Messiah Lutheran Church, Monroe Street Methodist Church, Sisters of St. Francis - Click here for contact information and photos of other successful faith gardens.

Organizations and Individuals who will help

Toledo GROWs - outreach program of the Botanical Garden http://www.toledogarden.org/content/toledogrows/
Square Foot Gardening http://www.squarefootgardening.com/ - Contact Toledo GROWs for a presentation on Square Foot Gardening by certified teachers

The OSU Extension Office at Toledo Botanical Garden. http://osutbg.osu.edu/
Mailing address: 5403 Elmer Drive, Toledo, OH 43615
Physical location: 5526 W. Bancroft St.Toledo, OH 43615
Phone: 419.578.6783 Fax 419.578.5367 email mghotline@cfaes.osu.edu  
Amy K. Stone Extension Educator stone.91@cfaes.osu.edu

Help with garden problems, identifying insects, or weeds,  419-578-6783 or email: mghotline@ag.osu.edu

How to become a Master Gardener:
http://osutbg.osu.edu/mg-lucas-county/about%20MG%20program 

Our City in a Garden - many resources about local efforts for food sustainability
http://www.ourcityinagarden.org/