February 2021

Welcome to the Roots Down Companion.

Welcome to the very first Roots Down Companion, our monthly action guide for Growers from all backgrounds and skill levels.

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Here at Roots Down, we envision a world where every American is less than a 15-minute walk away from all the fresh food, and soul-brightening nature they could ever want.

We're building the country's largest independent food network of Growers, Doers, Organizers, and everyday people just like you, working together to combat food and job insecurity, and do our part to put an end to Climate Change. It's an ambitious plan, but many hands make light work, and we're confident we can do it because of people like you!

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Now let's have a ton of fun! 
 

Sincerely,

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Jamie Rosenthal

Founder and CEO, Roots Down

How to get the most out of this companion.

Grower Profile

Meet the organizations, farmers, and leaders that are helping us grow a greener world.

Making a Better Earth with BeCompostable.

Welcome to the very first Roots Down Companion, our monthly action guide for Growers from all backgrounds and skill levels.

​

Here at Roots Down, we envision a world where every American is less than a 15-minute walk away from all the fresh food, and soul-brightening nature they could ever want.

We're building the country's largest independent food network of Growers, Doers, Organizers, and everyday people just like you, working together to combat food and job insecurity, and do our part to put an end to Climate Change. It's an ambitious plan, but many hands make light work, and we're confident we can do it because of people like you!

How you can help BeCompostable!

Grow Food.

3 ways you can change your relationship to food this month!

READ THIS.

Let's talk about heirloom seeds.

Heirloom seeds are old varieties of seeds -- at least 50 years old, specifically -- that are typically passed down from generation to generation. Heirloom varieties of fruit such as tomatoes often have different characteristics than what you might find at a grocery store, because they are often selected for size and flavor instead of shelf life.

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Let's take a deeper dive into heirloom seeds, and the advantages they hold for new Growers.

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> READ MORE <

DO THIS.

Find out what plant you are!

So, now that you've read up on Heirloom seeds, we think you're ready to grow a little green buddy of your own. This is the medium-difficulty activity, so we're not expecting you to read one article and suddenly be a master gardener. No, we're gonna take it slow. Just like how Harry Potter had to first choose a wand before he could learn magic, let's start by choosing the perfect plant for you. So, here's what you need to do:

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1. Read this short blog: "What is your plant patronus?"

2. Visit the Baker Creek website and browse their incredible catalog of heirloom seeds.

3. Buy a pack of seeds and then head on over to the Roots Down Forum and tell our network what you bought and what plant you are.

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> TELL THE FORUM <

PRINT THIS.

Let's talk about ecology.

For those of you interested in the harmonious relationship between bugs, plants, fungi, soil, and other organisms, composting is one of the best ways to improve the soil food web. Food scraps such as coffee grounds, banana peels, strawberry tops, egg shells, and onion skins are perfect for recycling back into the soil.

Without the soil food web, plants wouldn’t have enough nutrients to grow. That’s why taking good care of our soil is priority number one when it comes to landscaping or growing food.

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This month, we're focusing on observation. So grab a pencil and notebook and head outside to find what you discover in your own backyard.

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> DOWNLOAD GUIDE <

Grow ecology.

3 ways you can change your relationship to the earth this month!