SOUTHEAST AREA EXTENSION SAYS                                                              

Growing a Vegetable Garden

Article by: Michaela Mattes, CSU Extension Agronomist

As the weather warms, we want to go outside and enjoy nature. Many of us decide to grow a vegetable garden because of its many benefits. Growing your own vegetables teaches you about soil, plants, and the environment, and it is fun. Gardening increases the amount of exercise you do, which promotes healthy weight and better sleep. Nurturing growing plants also improves your mood. Gardening can be enjoyed by the whole family at any age. It fosters connection between family members. Harvesting vegetables grown in your own garden gives you a sense of accomplishment. Vegetables picked from your garden usually taste better than storebought ones.

There are several things to consider before you plant seeds or purchase any starter plants. The first thing to consider is where do you want to plant the garden. You can have a very small area and still plant a few vegetables. You can also use containers or raised garden beds to grow vegetables. Whichever option you choose, I suggest that you select a space that is easily accessible and close to a faucet so you can easily water your plants. Also consider that as plants grow you still need to be able to walk around them to harvest, weed, or water them. Watering your plants throughout the growing season is very important. If you have dogs or live in a place where deer visit from time to time, you might consider building a fence to keep them out. The next thing to think about is what vegetables you like to eat. Some vegetables are easy to grow and grow well in the hot summer, zucchini squash for example. Other vegetables, radishes, and lettuce for example, grow better when the weather is still cool. Another point is to figure out when to plant the seeds, seedlings, or starter plants. You can start seedlings indoors in February or March but have to wait to plant them outside until the middle of May. Mulch or peatmoss is a good soil amendment to help with water retention and nutrients for your plants.

The next thing to consider is the layout of your garden. Familiarize yourself with how much room each plant will need as they grow. You will need room to walk around plants and weed between them as they grow. The rest is up to you. Create a layout that is pleasing to you. There are no wrong ways of arranging your plants.

Once you have chosen which vegetable plants you want to grow, find out as much as possible about nutrient and water needs as well as possible pests or nutrient deficiencies to look out for. It is also important that you can identify which seedlings are your vegetables and which ones are weeds.

The rest of the process includes the actual planting, watering every other day when it’s cool, and every day when the daily high temperature reaches 80-degree Fahrenheit and above. Learn about fertilizing your vegetables and how to tell when a plant has a nutrient deficiency. Rip weeds out as soon as you can. Use other forms of pest control for bugs when necessary. Now you can enjoy your plants as they grow, harvest vegetables, and delight in the beauty of your garden.  

Happy gardening!

4-H Youth Use Technology to Change Their World

Article by: Marlena Griesse, 4-H Youth Development Specialist

Youth around the country are using technology to make their clubs, communities, countries, and world a better place through the 4-H Tech Changemakers program. The 4-H Tech Changemakers program has had a significant impact by inspiring teens in over 160 communities across 18 states to contribute positively. In 2021 alone, 325 teens engaged with and reached over 37,000 adults within the communities they served.

The 4-H Tech Changemakers program is an initiative designed to empower young people to tackle community challenges using technology and innovation. Founded on the principles of the 4-H organization, which focuses on youth development and leadership, this program specifically targets technology-driven solutions.

Key aspects of the 4-H Tech Changemakers program include:

• Youth Empowerment: The program aims to empower youth by providing them with the skills, resources, and mentorship needed to develop and implement technology-based solutions. Participants are encouraged to identify issues within their communities and leverage technology to create positive change.
• Hands-On Learning: It emphasizes hands-on learning through workshops, training sessions, and project-based activities. Participants gain practical experience in areas such as coding, digital design, prototyping, and project management.
• Community Impact: The core focus is on addressing community challenges. Participants are guided to think critically about local issues and how technology can be applied creatively to solve them. Projects often span diverse fields such as environmental sustainability, healthcare, education, and social justice.
• Mentorship and Collaboration: Mentorship from professionals in the tech industry and collaboration with peers are integral parts of the program. This support network helps participants refine their ideas, develop technical skills, and build confidence in their ability to make a difference.
• National and Global Connections: While rooted in local communities, the program also connects participants to a broader network of changemakers nationally and sometimes globally. This exposure allows for sharing of ideas, learning from others’ experiences, and amplifying the impact of their projects.
• Leadership Development: Beyond technical skills, the program fosters leadership qualities such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience. Participants are encouraged to become advocates for their causes and inspire others to embrace technology for social good.

Overall, the 4-H Tech Changemakers program serves as a platform for youth to innovate, collaborate, and lead in creating solutions that address real-world challenges using technology. It not only equips participants with technical skills but also nurtures a sense of civic responsibility and empowerment to effect positive change in their communities.

If you are or know of a youth interested in becoming a 4-H Tech Changemaker, check out the free course at https://4-h.org/clover/activities/tech-changemakers/ or contact your local Extension Office:  Baca County 719-523-6971, Bent County 719-456-0764, Cheyenne County 719-767-5716, Crowley County 719-267-5243, Kiowa County 719-438-5321, Otero County 719-254-7608, Prowers County 719-336-7734 or find us on the web at:  https://extension.colostate.edu/

Growing Tomato Plants from Slices

Article by: Ariel Eddings, 4-H Youth Development, Family and Consumer

Spring is right around the corner, and many of us are planning our summer gardens! Home gardeners plant a variety of delicious and nutrient dense fruits and vegetables every year. The most popular fruit to grow in backyard gardens is tomatoes. Annually, 93% of households in America grow tomatoes! Tomatoes are a great crop to plant at home as they are not only delicious and versatile, but they are also easy to grow.

This year, instead of purchasing a tomato plant or tomato seeds, start your tomato plant right at home with store bought tomatoes. This process is easy and something everyone in the family can be a part of!

Materials:

• Pot or container (whatever you have at home)
• Soil
• Tomatoes (romas, beefsteaks, or even cherry tomatoes) – this is also great for tomatoes that you already have at home that might be getting too soft to use. Tomatoes from our grocery stores are typically hybrids and may be sterile. This would allow your plant to grow, but it might not produce fruit.
• Spray bottle

Process:

• To start, fill your pot or container with potting soil. The pot should be filled just about to the top.
• Slice your tomato into ¼ inch slices (if using cherry tomatoes slice in half). If you’re using a smaller container use one to two slices, and three to four slices if you’re using something closer to gallon size.
• Next, lay the tomato slices down in a circle around the pot. Evenly cover the tomato slices with a bit more soil. Once you have your tomatoes and soil all ready, mist the top with water. It is better to use a spray bottle to wet down the top of the soil, so it doesn’t run off the tomato slice.  
• Make sure to keep the top of the soil moist during the entire process.
• After 7-14 days the seeds should start to germinate. Don’t be worried if you see mold during this stage!
• You should end up with 30-50 tomato seedlings! Choose the strongest ones and transplant them into larger pots.
• Now you have successfully grown your own tomato plants!

Try this family friendly recipe with your home grown tomatoes this summer!

The Mindful Hobby: Unveiling the Benefits of Working Puzzles

Article by: Abby Weber, Southeast Area FCS Specialist

January 29, 2024 – National Puzzle Day

In a fast-paced world filled with screens and digital distractions, it’s often refreshing to step back and engage in activities that stimulate the mind and promote relaxation. Puzzles have been a beloved pastime for centuries, and they offer a plethora of benefits that go beyond mere entertainment. Let’s explore the numerous advantages of working puzzles and why you should consider making them a part of your routine.

There are numerous reasons why puzzles contribute to long-term health but let’s start by exploring cognitive exercise. Puzzles are like a mental gym for your brain. They challenge your cognitive abilities, including problem solving, critical thinking, and logical reasoning. Whether it’s a jigsaw puzzle, Sudoku or a crossword, working on puzzles exercises your mind and keeps it sharp. It’s a fun way to improve your memory and boost your intellectual prowess.

Stress reduction is another benefit of Working puzzles. In our hectic lives, stress is an ever-present companion. Puzzles offer a soothing escape from the chaos of the day. When you immerse yourself in a puzzle, your focus shifts away from worries and anxieties. This mindful engagement can lead to reduced stress levels and an overall sense of calm. The repetitive nature of puzzle solving can be a form of meditation, promoting relaxation and tranquility.

Not only can puzzles help improve patience and persistence, but they can also enhance spatial awareness. Puzzles can be challenging, and it’s not uncommon to encounter moments of frustration. However, the act of working through these difficulties can teach patience and persistence. Overcoming obstacles in a puzzle teaches you that with determination and a methodical approach, even the most complex problems can be solved. This valuable life skill can be applied to various aspects of your personal and professional life. One example of this is working a Jigsaw puzzle which is excellent for improving spatial awareness. When assembling pieces into a coherent image, you’re consistently assessing shapes, sizes and how they fit together. This enhances your spatial reasoning skills, which can have real world applications such as improved navigation and a better understanding of spatial relationships.

While solving puzzles may seem like a structured activity, it can also enhance Our creativity. As you work on a puzzle, you develop a sense of pattern recognition and artistic appreciation. This can translate into improved creative problem-solving skills in other areas of your life. Not only are problem-solving and enhanced creativity important benefits of working puzzles, so is a sense of accomplishment. Completing a puzzle is incredibly rewarding, whether it’s a 500-piece puzzle or a challenging Sudoku, that moment when the final piece clicks into place or that last number is filled can boost your self-esteem and confidence. This sense of achievement can spill over into other areas of your life, motivating you to tackle bigger challenges.

Puzzles can be a fantastic social activity. Gathering around a table with friends or family to work a puzzle can lead to meaningful conversations and shared experiences. It’s an opportunity to connect with loved ones in a way that’s screen-friendly and genuinely engaging. Working puzzles is more than just a pastime. It’s a meaningful hobby with numerous benefits for your mind, body, and soul. It’s an accessible and enjoyable way to exercise your brain, reduce stress, develop patience, and improve various cognitive skills. So, the next time you have a spare moment, consider picking up a puzzle and reap the many advantages it has to offer. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced puzzle enthusiast, you’ll find that this age-old hobby is a timeless treasure waiting to be unlocked piece by piece.