Visit produce stands and farmers’ markets and to fi nd locally grown fruits and vegetables to try summer. Enjoy the fl avorful taste of fresh, local produce when it is in season. Fresh, locally grown produce is picked at its prime and often sold the same day it is picked. When produce is grown in other states or countries to be shipped here, it is picked before it is ripe and shipped in cooled trailers to be sold sometimes weeks after it is picked. Test your taste buds this summer and see if you can taste the di� erence in fresh, locally grown produce.

Visit www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/fresh-fruit-veggie-month for tips on storing fresh produce and fun ways to try new fruits and vegetables.

Grow Your Own Sweet Potatoes!

This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP. The University of Maryland Extension will not discriminate against any person because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political a� liation, and gender identity or expression. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition assistance to people with low income. It can help you buy nutritious foods for a better diet. To � nd out more about Maryland’s Food Supplement Program (SNAP), contact the Maryland Department of Human Resources at 1-800-332-6347 or apply online at https://mydhrbene� ts.dhr.state.md.us/.FSNE

These are sweet potatoes that have soaked in water for one week and are sprouting slips that can be cut o� and planted to produce new sweet potato plants.

Summer is a bountiful time in Maryland! Kickstart your summer with National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables month in June and make sure to try a new fruit or vegetable each week!

It’s not too late to plant sweet potatoes in June! Sweet potatoes are tropical plants and love Maryland summers. Plant them in June for an early fall harvest in September or October. These delicious spuds are packed full of vitamin A and are also a great source of fi ber and potassium. Sweet potatoes can be grown in the ground, in a large container or grow bag that can hold at least 3 gallons.

Visit your local garden supply store for sweet potato seedlings or slips. (You can also sprout your own from sweet potatoes from the store by cutting o� the bottom of the sweet potato and letting it soak in a shallow dish with water for 4-6 weeks, until new green vines (slips) grow out from the sweet potato. The individual shoots can be removed and planted.) If you plan to plant them in a container, you will also need to purchase enough potting soil to fi ll your container.

To get started:• If planting in a container, use a container that is

made of cloth, wood, or clay that holds at least 3-5 gallons.

• Fill container with potting soil.

• Plant seedlings (slips) about 2 inches deep and 12 inches apart.

• Water regularly and keep in a sunny location.

• Mulch around the plants with straw to help keep the soil moist.

• In 100-120 days from planting, sweet potatoes will be ready to harvest.

• In late September to early October, the ends of the vines will begin to turn yellow. As this happens, gently pull up the vine and dig out the sweet potatoes.

• Shake o� soil and place the unwashed sweet potatoes in a warm, dry place for 7 to 10 days, before eating.

turn yellow. As this happens, gently pull up the vine and dig out the sweet

Shake o� soil and place the unwashed sweet potatoes

Summer newsletter

Gardening for Nutrition

Farm to TableAcross the state of Maryland, delicious produce is grown all summer. This is the time of year to bring the farm to your table with locally grown produce. Some crops to look forward to during the summer include strawberries, cantaloupe, peaches, blueberries, summer squash, peppers, cucumbers, okra, and tomatoes. Visit a local farm or farm stand to learn how and where your food comes from.

Visit www.marylandsbest.net to fi nd a farm stand or farm near you and plan a family visit. Many farms o� er “pick your own”, as well as many other fun summer activities related to farming. This is a great way to get the whole family involved and interested in eating fresh foods.

Visit http://www.pickyourown.org/MD.htm to fi nd a local “pick your own” farm and enjoy tasting fresh from the farm produce.

Watermelon and Tomato SaladServings: 4

Ingredients:2 cups cherry tomatoes, washed2 cups watermelon, cut in cubes½ cup fresh basil, washed and chopped½ cup reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, cut in cubes1 Tablespoon lemon juice1 Tablespoon vegetable oilSalt and pepper to taste

Directions: 1. In a large bowl, put tomatoes and watermelon.2. Add basil, cheese, lemon juice, and oil.3. Mix to combine and season with salt

and pepper to taste.4. Chill in refrigerator before serving.

Note: Wash melon before slicing.

Gardening for Nutrition

Did you know that gardening activities, such as pulling weeds, removing rocks, digging, planting spreading and mixing compost and soil, watering, and harvesting burns calories?Gardening is a fun activity and a great way to grow food for your family, and it is also a good way to be physically active.

Keep Hydrated with Homemade Spa WaterSummers in Maryland can also be quite hot and it is important to remember to drink plenty of water. One great way to encourage drinking more water is to make it more appealing by adding sliced fruit, herbs, and vegetables to your water. Combinations such as strawberries and melon, cucumbers and tarragon, lime and mint, or strawberries and mint are delicious combinations to add to your glass or pitcher of water. Get creative! As you are slicing your fruits and veggies this summer, try adding some to a pitcher of water for your very own “spa water!”