<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?><!-- generator=Zoho Sites --><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"><channel><atom:link href="https://www.growingsmiles.ca/blogs/news/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><title>Growing Smiles Fundraising - Blog , News</title><description>Growing Smiles Fundraising - Blog , News</description><link>https://www.growingsmiles.ca/blogs/news</link><lastBuildDate>Sat, 25 Apr 2026 03:25:53 -0700</lastBuildDate><generator>http://zoho.com/sites/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Succulent Plant Care]]></title><link>https://www.growingsmiles.ca/blogs/post/plantcare-succulent</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.growingsmiles.ca/In Bloom -21-.png"/>A how to on taking care of your succulents.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_1Cv2VF_zRbaO9qjuUytFsQ" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_ubfZqElmQV2CQFm_FBBRdQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_N8DiESxLTjCFlrGnLMRMDQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_NdXUhCr2TPqvEzqkAYMLIA" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style> [data-element-id="elm_NdXUhCr2TPqvEzqkAYMLIA"].zpelem-heading { border-radius:1px; } </style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center " data-editor="true">Succ-essfully Taking Care of your Plant</h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_g0pT8k3yLrwsojHXfiCxcQ" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> [data-element-id="elm_g0pT8k3yLrwsojHXfiCxcQ"].zpelem-image { border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="size-original" data-size-mobile="size-original" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="" data-mobile-image-separate="" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-size-original zpimage-tablet-fallback-original zpimage-mobile-fallback-original hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
                type:fullscreen,
                theme:dark"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/In%20Bloom%20-22-.png" size="original" data-lightbox="true" style="height:294px;width:294px;"/></picture></span></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_L0kMyLgCSDqhz_VyXpH9PQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_L0kMyLgCSDqhz_VyXpH9PQ"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><p align="center" style="text-align:center;"><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p align="center" style="text-align:center;"><span>&nbsp;</span>This 10 plant variety pack offers you the flexibility of gifting, keeping indoors, or planting outside. Easy to care for succulents are a great addition for anyone. Possible Varieties include: Echevaria- Perle Von Nurnburg, Miranda Red, Purpusorum, Affins and Pulidonis. Sedum/Sedevaria- Hens and chicks, Hako Chocokate Ball, Tetractinum Coarl Reef, and Lemon Angelina. Senecio- Mandraliscea</p><p align="center" style="text-align:center;"><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>Water</span></p><p><span>Succulents don't like to be over watered. Let them dry out between watering. Sometimes the bathroom has too much moisture for them to thrive.</span></p><p><span>Light</span></p><p><span>Succulents prefer full sunlight all the time. Rotate your succulents frequently (every couple weeks) so they all get adequate light. You can bring them outside when temperatures are above 15°C</span></p><p><span>Fertilize</span></p><p><span>Succulents only need fertilizer once or twice a year. Once in the Spring and once in the summer.</span></p><p><span>Maintain/Soil</span></p><p><span>Succulents prefer porous sandy soil that drains well.</span></p><p><span>Temperature</span></p><p><span style="color:inherit;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Ideal temperatures for succulents shouldn't drop below about 15°C. They can handle heat very well.</span></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm__doKAmZGTUmUi874QkGKsw" data-element-type="button" class="zpelement zpelem-button "><style></style><div class="zpbutton-container zpbutton-align-center "><style type="text/css"></style><a class="zpbutton-wrapper zpbutton zpbutton-type-primary zpbutton-size-md " href="javascript:;" target="_blank"><span class="zpbutton-content">Get Started Now</span></a></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Fri, 13 Aug 2021 14:50:05 -0700</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[World Water Day - March 22]]></title><link>https://www.growingsmiles.ca/blogs/post/world-water-day-2021</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.growingsmiles.ca/images/Blog Posts/World Water Day.png"/>March 22nd is World Water Day by the UN. Learn what we do to help conserve water in the greenhouse!]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_TooRmx9RSdiHk3Q735w2EQ" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_3tgLXMyvSFWZr_e1lpeyGA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_oYoq-ZGSS5GfhQP8J0UrBg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_oYoq-ZGSS5GfhQP8J0UrBg"].zpelem-col{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_u8mcUpqeQFCwC462MduvPQ" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style> [data-element-id="elm_u8mcUpqeQFCwC462MduvPQ"].zpelem-heading { border-radius:1px; } </style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center " data-editor="true">Conserving Water when you Work in a Greenhouse</h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_OZxjfycElOknL7OiB7E0sg" data-element-type="imagetext" class="zpelement zpelem-imagetext "><style> [data-element-id="elm_OZxjfycElOknL7OiB7E0sg"].zpelem-imagetext{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-size-tablet="size-original" data-size-mobile="size-original" data-align="left" data-tablet-image-separate="" data-mobile-image-separate="" class="zpimagetext-container zpimage-with-text-container zpimage-align-left zpimage-size-medium zpimage-tablet-fallback-medium zpimage-mobile-fallback-medium hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
            type:fullscreen,
            theme:dark"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/images/Blog%20Posts/WWD2021_water2me_card_square-01.png" size="medium" data-lightbox="true" style="height:407px;width:407px;"/></picture></span></figure><div class="zpimage-text zpimage-text-align-left " data-editor="true"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-family:&quot;work sans&quot;;"><br></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-family:&quot;work sans&quot;;">Water is the source of life in a greenhouse. For the United Nations World Water Day, we are sharing some of the ways our greenhouse is taking steps to protect our precious water resources. Our greenhouses save thousands of litres of fresh-water each month by recycling water and collecting rainwater.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;, sans-serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-family:&quot;work sans&quot;;"><br></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Source Sans Pro&quot;, sans-serif;color:rgb(45, 180, 164);">Rainwater Collection.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-family:&quot;work sans&quot;;">Each greenhouse has a special reservoir that collects rainwater, which we use to water our plants with! The reservoirs vary in size depending on the watering needs of that particular location. Most of our greenhouses are located on the &quot;Rainy West Coast&quot; of Canada, which means that we have the opportunity to use a lot of rainwater instead of city water.&nbsp;</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-family:&quot;work sans&quot;;"><br></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-family:&quot;work sans&quot;;">Rainwater is great for our plants because it is fresh and natural.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-family:&quot;work sans&quot;;"><br></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:&quot;work sans&quot;;font-size:16px;"><br></span></span></p></div>
</div></div><div data-element-id="elm_Lred8LzYm_eEOsesyo12AQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_Lred8LzYm_eEOsesyo12AQ"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; margin-block-start:-22px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(45, 180, 164);font-family:&quot;Source Sans Pro&quot;, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:700;">Watering the Plants.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:inherit;text-align:center;">A lot of water can be wasted if it does not reach the roots of a plant. Sprinklers and &quot;overhead&quot; watering end up wasting water that doesn't reach the soil and the roots. For some plants overhead watering can damage the delicate flowers or even cause moldy berries.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:inherit;"><br></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:inherit;">Our greenhouses have special floors that are designed to retain water and allow the plant roots to soak up what each individual plant needs. These floors water the roots of the plants directly instead of the tops of the plant/soil.</span></p><div style="text-align:left;color:inherit;"><span style="color:inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align:left;color:inherit;"><span style="color:inherit;">Another way we can water the roots of a plant directly is by using drip irrigation lines. These are basically special hoses with attachments that are connected to a spike inserted in the dirt of each potted plant. The hose feeds water to each plant using a drip system so the roots have time to absorb the water. We use this technique with our larger crops and hanging baskets.</span></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_LHkkDGWx3Vih45rYCCglyQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_LHkkDGWx3Vih45rYCCglyQ"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; margin-block-start:31px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(45, 180, 164);font-family:&quot;Source Sans Pro&quot;, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:700;">Watering the Right Amount at the Right Time.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span>Plants need varying amounts of water to be happy! Did you know that too much water can be just as harmful as not enough water? If plants are watered too much, their roots can “suffocate” from the lack of oxygen! This is known as root-rot, which can be identified when an unhappy plant has very damp/heavy soil and the roots turn brown. </span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:inherit;"></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span>Our growers are experts at using our water efficiently to avoid waste and keep our plants happy!</span></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_rKrJ9P2XQZzA-mFsgsqEVw" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_rKrJ9P2XQZzA-mFsgsqEVw"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; margin-block-start:31px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(45, 180, 164);font-family:&quot;Source Sans Pro&quot;, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:700;">Water Recycling Systems.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:inherit;text-align:center;">Most of our greenhouses are designed with some kind of trough or collection system that captures any run-off water the plants don’t absorb. We collect the used and dirty water, then filter it ourselves so that it can be recycled and re-used for the same plants.</span></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_p0Cm-wu8YeDV1mfUYeU7dA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_p0Cm-wu8YeDV1mfUYeU7dA"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; margin-block-start:31px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(45, 180, 164);font-family:&quot;Source Sans Pro&quot;, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:700;">Water-Conscious Office Space.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;">Our offices are equipped with water-efficient appliances and motion-sensing taps.</p><p style="text-align:left;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:16px;">The amount of water wasted in the production of single-use bottles, plates, and cups is astronomical. To reduce the number of plastic bottles being used, and the number of cups being washed, the company provided water bottles to each employee and installed a water filter.&nbsp;</span><span style="color:inherit;font-size:16px;">Our office also has a full-sized kitchen with stoves to allow employees to cook meals rather than bring in take-out. Using the provided dishes and dishwasher is another way we reduce waste and water consumption.&nbsp;</span></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_fyC8D2-etrWvKuaRfSbZIA" data-element-type="divider" class="zpelement zpelem-divider "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_fyC8D2-etrWvKuaRfSbZIA"].zpelem-divider{ border-radius:1px; } </style><style> [data-element-id="elm_fyC8D2-etrWvKuaRfSbZIA"] .zpdivider-container .zpdivider-common:after, [data-element-id="elm_fyC8D2-etrWvKuaRfSbZIA"] .zpdivider-container .zpdivider-common:before{ border-color:#5CB4AA } </style><div class="zpdivider-container zpdivider-line zpdivider-align-center zpdivider-width100 zpdivider-line-style-solid "><div class="zpdivider-common"></div>
</div></div><div data-element-id="elm_uXhr5Y4RQNCEzC7hZoru6Q" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_uXhr5Y4RQNCEzC7hZoru6Q"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; margin-block-start:4px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:center;"><b><span style="font-size:24px;font-family:&quot;Source Sans Pro&quot;, sans-serif;color:rgb(45, 180, 164);">What Now?</span></b></p><p style="text-align:left;"></p><p><span>There are small things you can do each day that add up to a big difference!&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Here are a few tips:</span></p><ul><li style="text-align:left;">Water your plants with repurposed water or collected rainwater.</li><li style="text-align:left;">Skip the Rinse on your dishes when loading them into the dishwasher.</li><li style="text-align:left;">Cut your grass around 2 inches tall.</li><li style="text-align:left;">Water plants only when needed in mornings or evenings.</li><li style="text-align:left;">Use water responsibly: take shorter showers, turn off the taps, check for leaks in your home regularly, and install water efficient appliances.</li><li style="text-align:left;">Be a part of the conversation! What does water mean to you?</li></ul><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align:left;">Thank you for reading today! We hope you have learned something and will join us in the preservation of the Earth’s precious fresh water.</div><span><div style="text-align:left;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align:left;">There are many things every one of us can do to reduce water-waste, but we hope that knowing bigger facilities like our greenhouses are doing their part will inspire you to create an environmentally-aware workplace and home.&nbsp;</div></span><p></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_XTp_9jwAmjzC_cxAJpg3pQ" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> [data-element-id="elm_XTp_9jwAmjzC_cxAJpg3pQ"] .zpimage-container figure figcaption .zpimage-caption-content { font-size:11px; line-height:0px; } [data-element-id="elm_XTp_9jwAmjzC_cxAJpg3pQ"].zpelem-image { border-radius:1px; margin-block-start:37px; } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="size-original" data-size-mobile="size-original" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="" data-mobile-image-separate="" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-size-original zpimage-tablet-fallback-original zpimage-mobile-fallback-original hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
                type:fullscreen,
                theme:dark"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/images/Blog%20Posts/water-quantity.jpg" size="original" data-lightbox="true"/></picture></span><figcaption class="zpimage-caption zpimage-caption-align-center"><span class="zpimage-caption-content">Source: www.coolaustralia.org/how-do-we-use-fresh-water/</span></figcaption></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_6xufIVdltWiuBdA5Giq_8Q" data-element-type="divider" class="zpelement zpelem-divider "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_6xufIVdltWiuBdA5Giq_8Q"].zpelem-divider{ border-radius:1px; margin-block-start:-8px; } </style><style> [data-element-id="elm_6xufIVdltWiuBdA5Giq_8Q"] .zpdivider-container .zpdivider-common:after, [data-element-id="elm_6xufIVdltWiuBdA5Giq_8Q"] .zpdivider-container .zpdivider-common:before{ border-color:#5CB4AA } </style><div class="zpdivider-container zpdivider-line zpdivider-align-center zpdivider-width100 zpdivider-line-style-solid "><div class="zpdivider-common"></div>
</div></div><div data-element-id="elm_lNRVOXqLLuEajAtigMstDQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_lNRVOXqLLuEajAtigMstDQ"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:left;"><b><span style="font-size:18px;font-family:&quot;Source Sans Pro&quot;, sans-serif;color:rgb(45, 180, 164);">More Resources.</span></b></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">If you would like to learn some more, this is a short list of resources to get you started:</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><br></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Website</span>:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.worldwaterday.org/" title="https://www.worldwaterday.org/" target="_blank" rel="" style="text-decoration-line:underline;">https://www.worldwaterday.org/</a>&nbsp; World Water Day by the United Nations Water.<br></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Short Video</span>: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ6ZIdIgv2A" target="_blank" rel="" style="text-decoration-line:underline;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ6ZIdIgv2A</a> by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on World Water Day 2021: What does water mean to you?</p><p style="text-align:left;"><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Website for Kids:</span><a href="https://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/?view=list" target="_blank" rel="" style="text-decoration-line:underline;">https://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/?view=list</a> and <a href="https://wateruseitwisely.com/kids/" target="_blank" rel="" style="text-decoration-line:underline;">https://wateruseitwisely.com/kids/</a> is an informational site that has more than 100 ways to conserve water, including videos, games, tips and challenges for kids.</p><p style="text-align:left;"><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:inherit;"></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Article with Infographic:</span><a href="https://authoring-amwater-prod.awapps.com/nyaw/conservation/wise-water-use" title="https://authoring-amwater-prod.awapps.com/nyaw/conservation/wise-water-use" target="_blank" rel="" style="text-decoration-line:underline;">https://authoring-amwater-prod.awapps.com/nyaw/conservation/wise-water-use</a> by New York American Water with tips for conserving Water in your Garden/Yard during the summer.</p></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Mon, 22 Mar 2021 14:39:57 -0800</pubDate></item></channel></rss>