Heirloom Gardening
We often encourage Cooperative Extension educators to work with youth in exploring the historical “roots” of gardening. This is a wonderful opportunity to dig deeper into gardening from a unique perspective. Below you’ll find resources that can inspire project ideas, provide information, and guide you on your way. Although this is by no means a comprehensive list, which might be overwhelming, we have selected just a few to begin you on the centennial journey. If at any point you have questions, please contact us!
As a part of this process, we invite young people to interview grandparents, great-grandparents, and other elders in their communities about their memories of gardening. In addition to fostering an exciting connection with older adults, we think you will be surprised at the knowledge, memories, and fascinating insights that these older gardeners have to offer.
Two resources to guide young people in working with older adults:
© Copyright Cornell University.
We often encourage Cooperative Extension educators to work with youth in exploring the historical “roots” of gardening. This is a wonderful opportunity to dig deeper into gardening from a unique perspective. Below you’ll find resources that can inspire project ideas, provide information, and guide you on your way. Although this is by no means a comprehensive list, which might be overwhelming, we have selected just a few to begin you on the centennial journey. If at any point you have questions, please contact us!
As a part of this process, we invite young people to interview grandparents, great-grandparents, and other elders in their communities about their memories of gardening. In addition to fostering an exciting connection with older adults, we think you will be surprised at the knowledge, memories, and fascinating insights that these older gardeners have to offer.
Two resources to guide young people in working with older adults:
- 4-H Centennial Storytelling Project Guide on the NYS 4-H Centennial webpage.
- Using Plants to Bridge the Generations: Horticulture and Intergenerational Learning as Therapy (1998, .pdf coming soon) Horticultural Intergenerational Learning as Therapy (HILT) is a successful program that uses horticulture to benefit the elderly by increasing their physical activity and mental stimulation. It also benefits youth by introducing them to concepts of horticulture as well as by showing them how and why to cultivate relationships with the elderly. This manual tells how to plan a HILT program, organize participants and obtain funding. It covers long and short- term activities such as planning an outdoor garden, planting bulbs and seeds, drying flowers, and building birdhouses. Included are lists of materials that are needed to accomplish each project, 30 ways to hold gardeners' interest, facts about seeds, and factors influencing germination. 68 pp. ISBN 1-57753- 224-4 Reviewed and Recommended by the National Jury for inclusion in the 4-H National Collection
- Garden in the City (1991, .pdf coming soon) Designed for youth and adults who have had little experience with gardening and limited space. Covers the garden box, starting seeds, planning the garden, cleaning the site, breaking ground, planting, weeding, thinning, and harvesting. Lists supplies and tools you'll need; suggests activities for groups. 40 pp.
- The Heirloom Vegetable Garden (1981, .pdf coming soon) History and horticulture under one cover! An illustrated view of 36 varieties from the 1800s. Includes recipes. 27 pp.
- The Foxfire series is an excellent set of books that looks broadly to folkways, folk lore, and includes more than gardening.
- The Victory Garden Kid’s Book by Majorie Waters
- The Victory Garden Vegetable Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta
- Victory Garden - This page is a part of a Smithsonian exhibit, and contains some interesting basics.
- Victory Gardens - The Garden Warriors of 1942 - A Canadian perspective.
- World War II Canning and Gardening Posters National Ag Library's Victory Garden poster collection
- Teaching Peace Through Gardening - A 54 page booklet called available through the Seattle Tilth Children's Garden's web.