Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Garden Observations
June 29


Potato bugs have arrived. Pick them off daily and smush or toss them in a pail of soapy water. Also watch for eggs on the bottoms of the leaves.


I haven't noticed any early blight on the tomatoes (yet). Yay! We're doing something right. If you do notice that the lower leaves of your tomato plants are starting to curl up and turn yellow, then brown, carefully pick off the affected leaves and put them in the black compost bin. 

Thursday, June 23, 2011

STATE OF THE GARDEN
JUNE 22, 2011
Hunger Garden-Wayne has been managing this plot (between the north gate and the compost bin) and it is quite beautiful. Produce from this plot is donated to the Food Shelf and the Bethany House. Amy is seeing that it gets delivered. If you have extra produce that you can't give away, either of these places would be glad to accept it.

Weeds-Thistle and bindweed are invading the garden and all this rain makes everything grow faster. Don't let the weeding get ahead of you. Remember you are responsible for the paths around your plot.

Water-No date yet on when construction of the new water main begins, but the City Water Department reports that the shut-off time should be hours, not days as I had feared. And here's the best news I've had lately-we should be able to hook up to the new hydrant fairly easily. Yay!

This and That-
  • The nest of starlings in the shed have fledged and Wayne sealed up the hole where they were getting in.
  • The vole population is greatly reduced thanks to Wayne's untiring campaign last winter and this spring. A couple were seen around the black compost bin, but we have them in our sites.
  • Here's a theory on the thistle problem-they were introduced by the birds, especially the finches who love thistle seed, rather than seed in the compost or straw. 
August 14-The Board is planning a garden event for this date. It is still in the formative stage. If you any great ideas about how you would like to celebrate Community Garden Month, let me know.



Monday, June 20, 2011

STATE OF THE GARDEN
JUNE 20, 2011 

Garden Etiquette-Please keep in mind that tools and supplies inside the perimeter of a gardener's plot are usually personal property and not for general use. People may leave diggers, buckets, gloves or hand tools on their plot for convenience or some other reason. If you want to borrow something, ask first. Tools and supplies intended for everyone's use should be stored  in or around the shed or the compost bins. Long handled tools can be stored in the slats of the compost bin.

Recurring Reminders-When you leave the garden:
  • Turn off the water at both spigots (hydrant-yellow handle is perpendicular to the water line; spigot handle turned clockwise. To check, flip one of the spigots without a hose attached.)
  • Lock the shed door
  • Close the gate
  • Turn off the lights

This is an email I received from Dave:

Jan,

For the fourth time this year someone has entered my plot and taken my buckets.  Sometimes they use the water and return some of the buckets.  Usually they are just placed empty back at the compost bins.
This is very unsettling with me.  I fill those buckets nightly or every other night to have air temperature water for my vine crop.  Could you please send a note out to the gardeners reminding everyone that if an item is in someone's plot, it is not a communal item.  I would think that that is common knowledge.

Thanks,
Dave 

Friday, June 10, 2011

STATE OF THE GARDEN
JUNE 10, 2011
Water! Water is now available inside the garden (so, of course it's supposed to rain for the next week).  The supply hose is buried from the hydrant to the corner of the garden. Then it runs above ground to the compost bin. Don't try to use this section as your water source. Use the water spigot at the north compost bin.

Here are the guidelines:
  • Turn the water off and on both at the hydrant and the spigot.
  • There is one lo-o-o-ng hose set up. It should reach to the far corners of the garden. If it doesn't let me know.
  • When you are done watering, splay the hose along one of the paths. It is too long to wind around the hangar.
  • Use care when dragging the hose to your plot. The corner stakes should protect the plots, but keep an eye out.
  • We pay for the water. Use all you need, but don't waste any. Ways to conserve water-mulch heavily, water at the ground level, not up in the air
  • Enjoy this while it's available. I expect the backhoes to show up any day to work on the new water line. I'll keep people posted whenever I get more information.
Thanks to Jim, Gary, Stewart, John and Jim for helping to set this up.
It was late last night when we got done and I didn't check everything real closely. If you notice major leaks at the connections or any other problems, let me know.

Housekeeping Reminders-When you leave the garden, be sure the shed is locked, the gates are shut and the water is off. I keep finding these things left undone.

Straw and Compost-There seems to be plenty still available. Help yourself. ($3/bale for the straw, $1/bucket for the compost).

Weeding-Some of the plots are getting a little hedge of weeds around them. Remember, you are responsible for the paths surrounding your plot.

Extra Plants-If you have extra plant to share, leave them in the wooden box by the shed. If you need extra plants, check in there. If you want to do a good deed, water them.

Mystery Mower-Thanks to whoever mowed the grass path a couple of weeks ago-and to Stewart for doing it last night.

Bake Sale-The community garden will have a booth at the Farmer's Market on Saturday, June 25, 7:30-12. You can drop off baked goods that morning at the market, or Friday afternoon at Jennie Rafferty's house, 173 E. 5th. If your contribution has dietary considerations (nuts, gluten-free, etc.) please note it. Workers to man the booth are also needed. Shifts are 7-9, 9-11-11-close. 

The Social Side of the Garden-In the past we have had casual gatherings in the garden to watch the sunset, share a snack or trade gardening tales. Are people interested in doing this?


Gate

Three mornings this week when I have gone to the garden - 6AM- 7AM ish - the gate on the North (HWY 61) side has been wide open. Please remember to close the gates.

Because...

I hate wabbits!

Thanks,
Elmer Fudd

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Ideas for classes

Here are some ideas for classes, from Matt. If any of these interest you, or you have additional ideas, let me know.

I just put in rain barrels and thought about documenting the process with my camera(but didn't) - It would have made a great class.  This would be easy to recreate during a class.  We could make a barrel during the class to mount under the gardening shed?  Or we could have everyone interested make a rain barrel to bring home.  We might be able ot make some money with this as well!

I've always thought a composting class would be fun to do too.  I am kind of a compost wacko.  I have a 160 degree pile at home right now.  I could go on and on and on abtout compost...

But what are people interested in?

I am interested in Square foot gardening, vertical gardening, companion planting and succession planting.  I have examples of each in my garden plot.  I am no expert in any of them, but I usually know almost as much as anyone that I've seen teaching about them.  If we did a class like that it would be nice to have some examples throughout the garden to show people.

PS I harvested 2 pounds of lettuce and 1 pound of Spinach from my plot yesterday! 

Thanks,
Matt