The goal is to get home-grown vegetables, fruits and herbs donated to food banks and soup kitchens, where they are precious commodities. Last year, the drive brought in an estimated 30 tons of produce. Gardeners of any age who pledge to participate in the Plant a Row campaign may receive a free plastic row marker by sending name, address and daytime phone to Plant a Row, Detroit Free Press, Box 828, Detroit 48226. Second Harvest, a nonprofit network of food banks nationwide, can direct Michigan gardeners to agencies in their communities that welcome home-grown produce. Visit a children's garden The 4H Children's Garden at Michigan State University in East Lansing has plants to taste, touch and use.
Some plants even do tricks, like the evening primroses that open at dusk on summer nights.
Curator Jane Taylor and the garden's staff asked 4H members and East Lansing preschoolers what they'd like to see in a children's garden and included many of those suggestions with their own. The results have drawn international attention to the garden, which opened in 1993. The 4H Children's Garden is open during daylight hours every day through Oct. 31. There is no admission fee. Detroit Free Press and may not be republished without permission.