Garlic

My neighbor has a bunch of garlic available if anyone wants some. She is usually travelling in July and never harvests it. Now she has hundreds of small garlic plants starting. She said she got it from a local garlic farmer. I planted a bunch yesterday at home. Does anyone want any garlic? If so, I'll leave some out at the garden.

STATE OF THE GARDEN

END OF OCTOBER

What an incredible fall we are having. And it looks as though it will continue for a while. I spent some time in the garden yesterday and decided that my favorite season is whichever season we are currently having.  The shades of browns, yellows, and oranges that are in both the garden and up on the bluffs are too numerous to count. And harvesting continues. Kale, brussel sprouts, calendula, snap dragons are all at their peak. Even my dill keeps re-sprouting. Winter squash that was hidden all summer stands out from the dead vines, saying, "Pick me! Pick me!" There are even some tomatoes here and there.

For the most part, the garden is in really good shape. Some of you have closed up shop for the season. Many of you have cover-cropped. You won't be sorry. Next year you will have fewer weeds and better soil. 

Because this is a community garden in a very public place and not a backyard, how we care for the garden impacts others. Here are some reminders of things that need to be done:

• All stakes, tomato cages, fences, or other supports need to be removed and stored for the winter. I wish we had a place in the garden to do this, but we don't. There are quite a few of the 2' pointed stakes (extras from the corner posts on all the plots). These can be slipped in the palette slots around the outside edge of the compost bins.
• Weeds:  I struggle with this because there is no cut and dried answer. Different people have different tolerances for weeds. Also, if you are returning next year, there is more leeway because you have to deal with them either now or later. The main point to keep in mind is, again, the impact on the garden as a whole. This means-be sure to remove seedy weeds (foxtail comes to mind), thistle, and the random small tree that has gained a toe hold on the edge of your plot. If you are not returning, pay more attention to clearing out the weeds so you don't leave a mess for someone else. 
• If you had vines growing up the fence, pull off the dead vines.  
• Observe your "property lines", especially in the flower beds. We are beginning to have some lovely perennials. After they are finished blooming, prune them back severely. Many bushy plants (like mint) benefit from being cut back to the ground The new growth will be thicker and healthier. Strawberries want to wander all over the place. Gently pull the runners up and turn them back into the plot. Ground staples work well for this. 

Reminders

• When you know about your plans for next year let me know. Thanks to all of you who have already done so. 
• An order form for notecards was attached to your email. Let me know if you can't open it. My new computer gets a low grade in the "plays well with others" category, but I think I've got it fixed.

STATE OF THE GARDEN

OCTOBER 17, 2011

Work Day-The work day Sunday was successful. 

• We moved all the unfinished compost to the south bin. The bottom half of the north bin was filled with beautiful compost, which was distributed to most of the plots. Now the north bin is available for this year's compost. Reminder: please continue to use restraint on what you put in the compost bin. Chop up the big and heavy stuff. There are loppers in the shed. Keep the small stuff on your own plot to compost over the winter. 
• A green tape tied to one of your corner post  means that compost has been put on your plot. It should be good to go for next year. 
• The south and east outside perimeters of the fence are now nicely weeded and covered with chips. 
• A big thank you to those who came out and did the heavy lifting and digging. 

Closing the Garden, 2011-This glorious late fall is giving us a few extra weeks of gardening. However rumor has it that winter will eventually come to Minnesota. Continue to harvest as long as you can, but eventually we will need to make the garden "winter-ready". This means 

•  Seedy weeds have been pulled and composted
•  All structures (fences, tomato stakes, art, etc.) have been removed and stored. 
• The plot is generally neat and tidy
• Cover cropping is highly encouraged, but not required. Oats are in the shed. 
•  If you want to leave dead vegetable skeletons, that is fine, especially if you are returning next year. I am not a bare-earth advocate. Know which plants or weeds will create a future problem and which don't really matter. 
• In order to receive your clean-up refund or roll it over to next year, your plot must be "winter-ready" and you need to have completed and recorded 10 hours of volunteer work. Ask me if you have any questions about this, 

2012-People are already asking about next year.  All current gardeners may have their same plot next year if they want. Two points to keep in mind:

• If you know for sure what your plans for the garden are in 2012, could you let me know. There is a rather long waiting list for plots next year and I need to start thinking about what is going to be available. At this point, I don't need a firm commitment, just an idea. 
• Also, at this point we don't know what the fee schedule for 2012 will be, so we need to hold off on registrations. We plan to discuss our financial needs at the annual meeting. Then we will be able to register people for next year. 

Seed Saving - The Organic Seed Alliance has a detailed seed-saving guide available to download. It crammed with information and is almost a short course in botany

http://www.seedalliance.org/download-form-1/

Garden Notecards-Don't forget to order notecards. An order form is included in your email.

REMINDER

COMMUNITY GARDEN FALL WORK DAY

THIS SUNDAY, 

OCTOBER 16, 1:00

BIG JOB

Transfer unfinished compost from the north bin to the south bin

Distribute finished compost to all the plots

Empty north bin to use for this year's compostables

OTHER JOBS

{as time, energy and labor are available}

Spiff up paths with newspaper and wood chips where needed

Weed outside perimeter of fence line

General end-of-the-season clean up

BRING

work gloves, spading forks or shovels, garden rakes, wheelbarrows

snacks and drinks

ALSO

Bring your orders and checks for the garden notecards

$15 for a box of 6

Order forms are in the shed or in your email attachement

(1 hour of volunteer work is credited for each box ordered)

AND

Remember to update your work hours on the list in the shed.

Dates and Updates

Mark your calendars

Sunday, October 16, 1:00                               Sunday, evening, November 13

Fall Work Day in the garden                           Annual Meeting, Lake Park Lodge

Fall Work Day--

      Compost will be the main focus of the day. Plant material in the south bin needs to be chopped, stomped and turned to make room for more. Plant material in the north bin needs to be moved to the south bin. Underneath, there should be beautiful finished compost. We can distribute this, along with what remains of the compost pile by the road, to all the plots in the garden.

      If there is time and energy left, we can repair some of the paths with newspaper and chips.

      So--polish up your wheelbarrows and shovels and choppers and mark your calendar for October 16

      A note about the compost bins: Wayne has stapled hail cloth around the bottom edge of both compost bins to keep out voles (It actually worked pretty well). He has cut one end of each bin to allow access into the bins. Instructions for moving one side are posted on each bin. 

      Please continue to use restraint on filling the bins. After the work day we should have one whole empty one to use. 

Water-

      You have probably noticed that the city has begun working on the new water line. There is supposed to be a hydrant on the line that runs along the north side of the garden. This should make hooking onto the garden easy for next season. I'll keep people posted as I get more information. 

      The City will pull our connection, read the meter, and bill us sometime in mid-October. Last year the bill was about $135 and it should be close to that this year. 

      Next year rates are going up. I can't remember exactly how much, but a lot.

Garden Notecards--

      Cards go to the printer the first week of November. Order forms are in the shed,or contact Jan for an email copy. Return orders, along with payment, to Sue Burnett (address is on the form) or bring it to the Fall Work Day.

      Orders by October 31 will be much appreciated. That will give us some idea of how many to print. 

Annual Meeting of the Community Garden--Plans are still forming, but the major topic of discussion will be about finances. We are operating in the red at the present and need to figure out how to make ourselves, first solvent, then sustainable. The board has discussed raising the annual plot rental or assessing an upfront contribution to be repaid when volunteer hours are completed. We don't want to become prohibitively costly, but we need to be able to cover expenses. Input from everyone on this subject is encouraged.  Come to the meeting and share your ideas. We will also be electing new board members. If you are interested in becoming involved, let us know.

The Winona Post-had a lovely article about the garden last Sunday. I will put up a copy on the shed bulletin board.

Cover cropping--Oat seeds are available in the shed for cover cropping. Sprinkle some on your plot when when you have cleared a section for the season. Some may sprout this fall, some in the spring. Fall-sprouted oats will die and make lovely compost for you plot. Spring-sprouted seeds will suppress the weeds until you get something planted, then make lovely mulch around your new plants. Isn't nature wonderful?

Community Garden Note Cards-Pollinator Series

Here is a great gift idea for the holiday season__AND a way to help the Garden:

A set of six note cards, with beautiful photographs taken by Wapahasa Community Garden members.

The back of the cards include information about pollinator plants and the inside is blank.

The sets are wrapped in ecofriendly clear packaging and may also be purchased singly. 

Graphic design is professionally done by Jaron Theye, son of our own Wayne Theye.

Consider purchasing these cards for yourself, for holiday or birthday gifts, or just to have on hand.

And talk with your friends about ordering sets for themselves.

How to order:

 Order forms are in the garden shed. 

Use this form to keep track of the number of sets or singles you want to purchase. 

Boxed sets of 6 are $15 apiece; single cards are $3 apiece.

Send your order, along with full payment to:

Sue Burnett

P.O. Box 403

Winona, MN 55987

(or hand deliver it at the next work day, TBA)

Orders by October 31 would be appreciated

Pick up date will be posted

Bonus: For every box of 6 that you purchase, you will be credited with 1 hour of volunteer work. 

Why we need to have fundraisers:

The community garden operates on a shoestring, and often in the red. Yearly fees for the plots do not cover all our expenses. Recurring expenses include water bill, liability insurance, garden coordinator position, consumable supplies such as compost, straw, rye seed and repair parts. 

Please help us continue to be able to harvest healthy local food in our community. 

Questions or comments? Reply to this message or contact any of the committee members.

Thank you,

The Wapahasa Prairie Community Garden Fundraising Committee

Jennie, Joyce, Liz and Hisayo

Green Tomato Recipes

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

2 green tomatoes ½ cup flour or cornmeal salt and pepper butter

Slice tomatoes thickly. Combine flour, salt and pepper. Coat tomatoes with flour. Heat butter in skillet and fry tomatoes on both sides until golden brown.

GREEN TOMATO SALSA

3 green tomatoes, coarsely chopped 2 jalapenos, seeded and minced 1 clove garlic, minced ¼ cup cilantro, chopped ¼ cup parsley, chopped ½ red bell pepper, seeded & chopped 3T lime juice 1½ tsp sugar ½ tsp salt

Blend all ingredients in food processor to a coarse puree. Or leave it chunky. Salsa gives off liquid and thins after it sits a while.

GREEN TOMATO AND CORN PICALILLI

3 medium green tomatoes, thinly sliced 1½ tsp salt 2 ears corn 1 cup white vinegar 1 cup sugar ¼ tsp cloves ¼ tsp cinnamon 1/8 tsp cayenne ¼ cup minced red onion 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced

Salt tomatoes and refrigerate overnight. Pour off liquid, then dry tomatoes between paper towels. Boil corn in a pan of boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain and cut kernels from cob. In a medium saucepan combine vinegar, sugar, cloves, cinnamon and cayenne. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Combine tomatoes, corn, red onion and bell pepper. Pour the hot syrup over the vegetables; mix well. Let cool, then refrigerate until ready to serve.

GREEN TOMATO CHUTNEY (Joy of Cooking)

1 seeded, chopped lemon with rind 1 clove garlic, chopped 5 cups green tomatoes 2¼ cup brown sugar 1½ cup raisins 3 oz. chopped crystalized ginger or ¾ cup fresh ginger 1½ tsp salt ¼ tsp cayenne 2 cup cider vinegar 2 cup chopped red bell peppers

Combine and simmer until the vegetables are tender.

STEWED GREEN TOMATOES (Joy of Cooking)

2 tbsp minced onion 2 tbsp butter 2 cups sliced green tomatoes ¾ tsp salt ¼ tsp paprika ½ tsp curry powder

Saute onions in butter until brown. Add tomatoes. Stir and cook slowly until tender. Add seasonings.

GREEN TOMATO AND EGG GRATIN (Madison CSA cookbook)

1½ cup chopped green tomatoes 6 hard boiled eggs, sliced 5 tbsp butter ¾ cup soft bread crumbs 3 tbsp flour 1½ cup milk

Alternate layers of egg and tomatoes in a shallow baking dish. Melt 2 tbsp butter; add bread crumbs and stir well. Melt remaining butter in another saucepan. Stir in flour and cook, stirring often, 3-4 minutes. Whisk in milk and cook, stirring constantly until thickened. Pour milk mixture over tomato/egg layers. Top with bread crumbs. Bake 35-40 minutes in 350 degree oven. Can be assembled the night before and baked in the morning.

Also, I have a vague memory of baking a green tomato pie, but I can't find the recipe. I think you just bake it like an apple pie. If anyone tries this, let me know.