Previous Events
Sunday, April 26th - Second Work Party and Workshop with Chuck McClung
Today was our second 'offishal' work party and a lot of people showed up with tools and implements of destruction. Dave brought the tractor as well as a PA system and some tunes.
We were able to finish off the remaining two beds so a couple more families signed up to get plots.
As a treat, local author and gardner Chuck McClung came by and spent almost two hours talking with a very interested crowd about growing vegetables and tomatoes in this area. He addressed a lot of things that people do not normally consider when putting in a garden -- the microclimate, what to look for when buying plant starts, spacing, trellis and staking systems. It was a wonderful brain dump from someone who knows what he is talking about. From reading his columns, I got the feeling that he knew what he was talking about but when he mentioned a Masters Degree in Botany today, that made it all very clear.
Here are some photos of todays festivities:
This little Grass Snake came to see what was happening.
The first bed planted.
The music kept us movin'
Chuck really seemed to enjoy his work.
Sunday, April 19th - First Work Party
Last Sunday we had our first 'official' Work Party. About 12 people showed up and a lot of work was done.
To everyone that showed up -- THANKS!
Dave had used Buttercup the tractor to rip up the sod but there was still a lot of work getting it out of the ground and over to a pile. The sod will break down over the summer and will provide excellent compost and topsoil for next year. One of the wonderful things about organic gardening is that very little goes to waste and something that you do not want can be converted into something very valuable in the span of a few months time.
Here are some photos of the event:
Busting Sod
Busting more Sod - Hard work!
A quick consultation...
Making the sod pile bigger.
Moving a log with Buttercup
Placing the log in the bed
First bed is finished and ready!!!
Off to the Compost Pile with this one
Hey, we don't need to wait for the tractor...
Finishing off the second bed
We will be having a second work party this coming Sunday, April 26th. We will finish the remaining two beds for a total of four.
Sunday, April 5th - Composting Workshop with Master Composter Christy Nieto
On Sunday, we spent a few hours with Christy Nieto, a Master Composter. Composting is an ideal way to get rid of food scraps (non meat or oil), lawn clippings, coffee grounds, newspapers, etc...
Here are a few photographs of the event:
A good turnout - about ten people.
Christy explaining the ingredients.
How to moniitor the pile
(check the temperature)
Shoveling...
The Garden's first Compost Pile
The last photo was actually a demonstration pile that Christy brought with her but later that afternoon, people made a real pile using a couple shipping pallets screwed together.
Some local restaurants and households are contributing materials so we will have a good batch for this fall. It can work in over the winter.