Chives were selected to be a part of our food garden because their stems provide an edible vegetable that is easily harvested. They are a great companion plant as they deter insect pests, helping other plants establish themselves and grow.

Chives were selected because they grow best with 6+ hours of sun. Chives grow best in loose, well-drained soil and enjoy regular watering, especially during hot or dry spells. They can tolerate short dry periods if needed and require very little maintenance. Chives will not require extra fertilizer to establish themselves. 

Chives will grow up to 20 inches in height while also growing up to 12 inches in diameter. When Planting chives they can be considered 1 square foot per plant. 

Chives are typically used in cooking a garnish topping for dishes or in some recipe's. Chives are also great companion plants as they deter pests. The Farmer's Almanac recommends planting chives close to carrots, peas, and beats. 

Nodding onions are a beautiful pollinator, that is safe for consumption. The nodding onion was included in our food garden because all parts of the plant can be eaten, even the flower. Most often the stem is used in cooking or garnishing dishes, but the bulb can be cooked or pickled as well. 

Nodding onion was selected because these plants thrive in full sun, which encourages strong flowering and healthy growth. Our garden's 16 hours of sunlight will be ideal for growth. These plants also prefer well-drained soils which our garden offers.

The nodding onion is a native perennial making it drought-tolerant once established. This plant should be watered regularly for a season. Once it is established it will survive with little water, however, nodding onion can also thrive with regular watering, making it an excellent choice for our garden bed. 

Nodding onions will grow up to 20 inches tall and up to 12 inches wide.  

Strawberries are a wonderful plant which provides nice spreading ground cover and an edible fruit most learners will be familiar with. They also help control soil erosion and make a great snack for local wildlife like birds!

Wild Strawberries were selected because they produce the most fruit with 8+ hours of sun daily. Our garden’s 16 hours of sunlight will encourage growth. They rot easily in soggy soil, so our quick-draining raised bed is ideal.

Wild Strawberries prefer regular, even watering, especially while fruiting. These plants will require regular watering even after they are established. They do not require extra fertilizer to establish themselves.

Wild Strawberries plant will vary in size depending on the area it has to grow. Typically they reach heights around 6 inches and a width of 12 - 24 inches. When planting they can be considered 1 square foot per plant.