First Lady Katie O'Malley's Vegetable Garden Gets Ready for Fall

Encourages Marylanders to Grow their Own Vegetable Gardens

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 24, 2009) – First Lady Katie O’Malley today joined University of Maryland Master Gardeners in encouraging Marylanders to grow their own vegetable garden, especially now as the seasons begin to change.  Last week, University of Maryland Master Gardener volunteers cleaned out remaining lettuce and other vegetable plants that had been harvested during the spring and summer at Government House and planted cabbage, chard, kale, broccoli, and cauliflower seedlings as well as pea and lettuce seeds.  The seedlings were donated by Bonnie Plants in Kennedyville, Kent County.

“Our family has enjoyed the cucumbers, lettuce, peppers, herbs and other delicious vegetables from the garden this summer,” said First Lady O’Malley.  “It was fun for Jack, William and me to plant the seeds in April, watch them grow, and to bring them to the dinner table over the course of the summer and we look forward to doing the same this fall.  The Grow it Eat it vegetable gardening campaign and the expertise of the Master Gardeners are resources all Maryland residents can use to learn to grow a backyard garden. It’s not too late to start.”

First Lady O’Malley has partnered with University of Maryland Cooperative Extension to promote the “Grow It Eat It” campaign which encourages Maryland families to improve health and save money by growing fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs using sustainable practices.  The campaign encourages Marylanders to produce their own affordable, healthy food.  More information on the campaign and the University of Maryland’s Master Gardener program can be found at www.growit.umd.edu. 

“Our first summer with the Grow it Eat it campaign was very successful thanks in part to the support of Mrs. O’Malley in raising the visibility of the program,” said Jon Traunfeld, Director University of Maryland Extension's Home and Garden Information Center. “Home gardeners can start to find fall vegetable seedlings in garden centers now and the Home and Garden Information Center is available to help with questions.  While cool weather is perfect for some plants, gardeners aren’t always used to growing during this time of year, but it isn’t hard to learn what works and what doesn’t.”

“It’s time to buy seeds and seedlings for fall and winter from your local garden center and even some farmers’ markets,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance.  “When you buy locally, you are helping local farmers and local businesses to thrive, protecting farmland, and keeping money in your own community.”

The Maryland Master Gardener Program began in 1978.  The Master Gardener program is a principal outreach education unit of the University of Maryland that serves most Maryland counties and Baltimore City.  For gardening information and advice, contact the University of Maryland Home and Garden Information Center at www.hgic.umd.edu or 1-800-342-2507.

Click here to see the Baltimore Sun's video report on First Lady Katie O'Malley's fall garden.

 

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