The Community Garden in Toluca has lettuce, radishes, and onions available right now ready to harvest. Tomatoes, green beans, broccoli, carrots, and cucumbers are still growing for later harvest. Pictured: Ava Dahlbach harvests a radish from the garden

This garden was planted by the third-grade students at Fieldcrest Intermediate School in Toluca under the supervision of the Marshall-Putnam University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners as part of the University of Illinois 4-H Seeds to Harvest program offered each spring at Fieldcrest.  

Everyone is welcome to harvest from this garden as the students would like to see this garden enjoyed by anyone in the community. All that is asked is that you use what you take. 

The Master Gardeners were surprised at the amount of knowledge the students had learned in school about gardening; the difference of fruits and vegetables, how the seeds sprout, and why plants need sun, water, air, and soil to grow.   Plus, they appreciated the outstanding behavior of the students which was rewarded with each student taking home a tomato plant for their home garden.  The students and Master Gardeners wish to thank Tim O’Connor from Toluca for growing the tomatoes for their garden and the special one for each of them.

Please support the students by using their garden knowing they are helping the community.  The pride of knowing they did something to help others cannot be felt unless the garden is harvested.   The four beds are located on the south side of the Fieldcrest Intermediate School in Toluca.  

The Mission of University of Illinois Extension is to provide practical education you can trust to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. Visit our website at https://extension.illinois.edu/blmp

If you have questions or need more information, please call University of Illinois Extension- Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam Unit Office at 815-224-0889. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please indicate when registering or contact the Extension office. Extension offices are located in Princeton, Ottawa, Henry and in Oglesby on the IVCC campus.