So glad we held off on our plantings the other night with the threat of a late season frost. We will try again for Saturday to get some summer transplants in and pray for no more frost scares! Basil, parsley, leeks, marigolds, calendula, rosemary, chives, tarragon, and lavender are leaving my porch and moving into the garden! We still have lots of fresh "greens" to pick, along with a few splashes of red (strawberries and radishes)!
Maybe join us for food and fun at the Haw River Festival in Saxapahaw after working in the garden. Our junior garden member Evie Becknell will be performing in dance under the direction of our new garden member Debbie Cook around 1:45 (Can't wait to see!) Also Rebecca Von Hoene and her husband will begin their new season of sales at the Farmer's Market and handing out our garden brochures as well(thanks Rebecca!).
You know...It WILL be good!!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Plantin's and Pickin's a Plenty Tonight!! and What Time Is Good For You?
As you know our garden hours are presently Monday and Wednesday 5:30-7:30; Friday and Saturday 9:00-Noon.
So what day/times are good for you? This is your garden and we want to be open and available for you when it is convenient for you. As a reminder, part of the membership "dues" is working in the garden (at least) one hour a week or 4 hours a month. We want to make this as easy as possible for everyone by scheduling available work hours that work for everyone. Please think about what "hour(s)" would be best for you to commit to (if possible) so that we can adjust our work day schedule accordingly. As mentioned in the past, it is very helpful in my planning of tasks for the day/week, to have a heads up of who will be visiting the garden for the scheduled work day/time. A note again for parents of our junior gardeners, that on Wednesday evenings, we are blessed to have Jessica Dean joining us in the garden to "oversee" their activities:0)
The joy and success of a community garden is made possible when we are gardening together in unity as a community! Many hands truly do make light work! Thank you to all of our 35 present family memberships' help and support. Your thoughts and time are so appreciated and I look forward to seeing all of you again soon in The Garden of Concord!
It WILL be good!
So what day/times are good for you? This is your garden and we want to be open and available for you when it is convenient for you. As a reminder, part of the membership "dues" is working in the garden (at least) one hour a week or 4 hours a month. We want to make this as easy as possible for everyone by scheduling available work hours that work for everyone. Please think about what "hour(s)" would be best for you to commit to (if possible) so that we can adjust our work day schedule accordingly. As mentioned in the past, it is very helpful in my planning of tasks for the day/week, to have a heads up of who will be visiting the garden for the scheduled work day/time. A note again for parents of our junior gardeners, that on Wednesday evenings, we are blessed to have Jessica Dean joining us in the garden to "oversee" their activities:0)
The joy and success of a community garden is made possible when we are gardening together in unity as a community! Many hands truly do make light work! Thank you to all of our 35 present family memberships' help and support. Your thoughts and time are so appreciated and I look forward to seeing all of you again soon in The Garden of Concord!
It WILL be good!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Saturday in the Garden
This past week, we planted a bunch of spider lillies in our bulb garden donated by Shirley Pierce from her garden and we have about 50 left to share. Thanks Shirley! We also planted some more onion sets in the strawberry bed donated by Robin Council. Thanks Robin! With the little bit of rain we had, everything in the garden is looking so fresh and pretty. Come check out the pea trellises that we have worked on (Thanks Cindy and Gretchen!)..too cool! There are some really big berries developing in the strawberry bed. The perennial herbs are incredible. The potatoes, brocolli, cauliflower, and brussels are all gaining speed. Radishes ready soon.
Preview for next week: Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes!
Saturday, April 24th in the garden…
What we are harvesting:
Herbs (Oregano, Parsley, Thyme, Sage)
Lettuce Mix
Collard/Mustard Mix
Note: Instead of individually picking leaves like we did last year,
we are harvesting this time by using scissors and cutting
bunches at a time. We might have cut too low on Wednesday
so cut a bit higher.
What we are working on:
Finish adding compost to Bed#13.
Add compost to Bed #14.
Complete trellis on teepee by tying vertical pieces of twine on
bottom two horizontal strands in same pattern as above.
Work on planting trees where placed. Backfill dirt with added compost.
Spot cover open areas where grass has popped thru by pulling up and pulling over cardboard and straw. Add additional cardboard or newspaper with straw if needed.
**Extra Spider Lily bulbs (around 50) available to share in garage (Thanks Shirley Pierce!!)
Preview for next week: Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes!
Saturday, April 24th in the garden…
What we are harvesting:
Herbs (Oregano, Parsley, Thyme, Sage)
Lettuce Mix
Collard/Mustard Mix
Note: Instead of individually picking leaves like we did last year,
we are harvesting this time by using scissors and cutting
bunches at a time. We might have cut too low on Wednesday
so cut a bit higher.
What we are working on:
Finish adding compost to Bed#13.
Add compost to Bed #14.
Complete trellis on teepee by tying vertical pieces of twine on
bottom two horizontal strands in same pattern as above.
Work on planting trees where placed. Backfill dirt with added compost.
Spot cover open areas where grass has popped thru by pulling up and pulling over cardboard and straw. Add additional cardboard or newspaper with straw if needed.
**Extra Spider Lily bulbs (around 50) available to share in garage (Thanks Shirley Pierce!!)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
"Oh Baby"
Lots of baby collard/mustard and salad greens to pick tonight! Yum yum!
Handwatering is crossed off the "to do" list with the needed rain received and hopefully the skies will clear a bit so we can get a couple of things done.
Don't forget the showing of Food, Inc. tonight on UNC TV at 9:00 pm.
It WILL be good!
Handwatering is crossed off the "to do" list with the needed rain received and hopefully the skies will clear a bit so we can get a couple of things done.
Don't forget the showing of Food, Inc. tonight on UNC TV at 9:00 pm.
It WILL be good!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Plantings this Week
This week we will be planting a big box full of Spider Lily bulbs (thanks Shirley!!), bunching onions, leeks, and some flowering trees (where's our "grunt workers"?!). We will also be working on (and figuring out how to!) build a tent trellis for the peas out of bamboo, as well as prepping (cutting), placing, and filling with soil, the wine barrels for plantings (another "man" job?).
On Wednesday (now dubbed "Kid's night in the garden") will be full of fun and activities for our junior members led by Jessica Dean (thanks again Jess!!).
All of our new plantings (the theme beds and blueberry bushes) need alot of handwatering so if you happen to be around and want to water them, that would be great (don't forget to turn off the electric fence..and back on:0)
We have also "planted" the announcement and order form for the Mother's Day Flower Sale to the members of our churches (Concord and Bethel). The flowers this year will be 4" begonias potted, wrapped, and ribboned for $5.00. This is our only fundraiser planned at this point so please share our sale with all your friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Order forms can be picked up at the garden, Bethel UMC, and Concord UMC. I will send one by email with more details shortly.
On Wednesday (now dubbed "Kid's night in the garden") will be full of fun and activities for our junior members led by Jessica Dean (thanks again Jess!!).
All of our new plantings (the theme beds and blueberry bushes) need alot of handwatering so if you happen to be around and want to water them, that would be great (don't forget to turn off the electric fence..and back on:0)
We have also "planted" the announcement and order form for the Mother's Day Flower Sale to the members of our churches (Concord and Bethel). The flowers this year will be 4" begonias potted, wrapped, and ribboned for $5.00. This is our only fundraiser planned at this point so please share our sale with all your friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Order forms can be picked up at the garden, Bethel UMC, and Concord UMC. I will send one by email with more details shortly.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Wendesday in the Garden
Hope everyone is enjoying their week. This evening in the garden, we will be working on moving the tomatoes to larger living quarters for a short stay until their permanent residence; starting German Johnson tomatoes in a tray, feeding the peas, finishing up the walkways, and spraying a garlic/pepper mix around the asparagus bed (we are suppose to be sampling the asparagus and not the rabbits(?)!....hope it's not the groundhog from last year visiting again!) We have some brochures and info cards to work on as well...always something for everyone!!
Welcome to our new member Jessica Dean! One of the gifts she will be sharing in the garden will be her time spent entertaining the junior gardeners when they get tired of gardening. She will be regularly visiting every Wednesday to keep an eye on our little ones, play with them, read stories, etc. so we (adults and kids) can all enjoy fellowship and fun in the garden. Thank you Jessica!!
There is some spinach that can be harvested and we can begin picking some spring mix lettuce...yum yum! There is also an abundance of parsley and oregano that has sprung up from last year.
Looking forward to seeing some of you tonight. It WILL be good!
Welcome to our new member Jessica Dean! One of the gifts she will be sharing in the garden will be her time spent entertaining the junior gardeners when they get tired of gardening. She will be regularly visiting every Wednesday to keep an eye on our little ones, play with them, read stories, etc. so we (adults and kids) can all enjoy fellowship and fun in the garden. Thank you Jessica!!
There is some spinach that can be harvested and we can begin picking some spring mix lettuce...yum yum! There is also an abundance of parsley and oregano that has sprung up from last year.
Looking forward to seeing some of you tonight. It WILL be good!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Saturday in the Garden
We have had a great week in the garden with the many hands that have helped. This week we planted the broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, asparagus, more strawberries, more lettuce, radishes, and more carrots. All the tomato, pepper, eggplant, basil, and flower seedlings are doing great and repotted. The Easter egg radishes have popped up from the perfect planting performed last Saturday by the kids (great job!!)
Saturday we will begin building some of our theme beds focusing on the prayer garden, bulb garden, and cut flower garden with the help hopefully from the wonderully energetic kids with Crosswave. Lots of other fun things planned so please consider joining us for a beautiful and blessed morning in The Garden of Concord!
It WILL be good!
Saturday we will begin building some of our theme beds focusing on the prayer garden, bulb garden, and cut flower garden with the help hopefully from the wonderully energetic kids with Crosswave. Lots of other fun things planned so please consider joining us for a beautiful and blessed morning in The Garden of Concord!
It WILL be good!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The Garden Is Growing!
Not only are our spring plantings in the ground and growing, but our membership is as well! Welcome Shirley Pierce, Sheila Kiliru, Mary Michael, Gretchen Becknell, Rebecca VonHoene, Debbie Cook, Aleisha Tickle, and Jeff Shepard! Several members have renewed their membership and we look forward to many more new and existing growers to plant and share their gifts of help, support, ideas, and fellowship in The Garden of Concord!
We have planted shell peas, sugar snap peas, snow peas, romaine and spring mix lettuces, asparagus, carrots, onions, garlic, beets, turnips, collards, mustard, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, potatoes, and strawberries. We have started in trays for later planting, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, herbs, and flowers. Regular updates of what we are working on, growing, and harvesting can be found on our blog http://www.thegardenofconcord.blogspot.com/
Please mark your calendars for a couple of garden events happening soon. On Saturday, April 17th, a local cub scout troop will be joining us in the garden to plant blueberry bushes, grapevines, and flowering trees along with other planting activities. We will be grilling up hotdogs to serve along with sides and drinks to the troop, their parents, leaders, and all garden members. More details will follow shortly to include a signup list for food.
We also will be having our Mother’s Day Flower sale again this year as a fundraiser for the garden. 4” wrapped potted plants will be pre-sold for $5.00 each with a gift card included. Order forms will be available soon along with details of the pickup date and site. Thank you in advance for your support and participation in these garden events.
Many material donations have been received over the past couple of weeks to include newspapers, straw, compost, pine needles, cow manure, cardboard, and of course, our awesome new broad fork! Your continued donations are appreciated to include yard décor pieces such as large pots (or any interesting container to plant flowers in), benches, picket fence sections, bird houses, small signs, etc. for our theme gardens. Monetary donations are always welcomed and needed!
We have completed the rebuilding and prepping of our existing vegetable beds and are now ready to plan, build, and plant our theme gardens for all to enjoy. Please let me know asap if you would be interested in managing one of these theme gardens which would involve the planning, planting, and care of the flowers as related to the particular garden. We have already marked out designated areas and will assist in the building and continued stages of the beds. We have several flower seeds to pick from to include some that have already been started in flats. The beds suggested so far include a prayer garden, butterfly garden, edible flower garden, medicinal garden, container garden, cut flower garden, bulb garden, and wedding garden. We are open to any other suggestions and ideas you may have! Remember, no green thumb is required in The Garden of Concord! We are learning and planting together!
The Garden Advisory Board has met several times over the past couple of months to brainstorm planting plans, events, fundraisers, grant research, and membership development. All members are always invited to attend these meetings. This is “your” garden and we value everyone’s thoughts, ideas, and concerns. The next GAB meeting is scheduled on April 12th at 7:00 pm in the meeting room of Concord UMC. We have been contacting other community gardens to get their ideas as well on the areas mentioned above. Generally, the success found by most in membership and fundraising has been by word of mouth and the donations from individuals within the garden, congregations, and the community.
Thank you for your continued help, support, and the sharing of the good news of our garden!
It WILL be good!
We have planted shell peas, sugar snap peas, snow peas, romaine and spring mix lettuces, asparagus, carrots, onions, garlic, beets, turnips, collards, mustard, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, potatoes, and strawberries. We have started in trays for later planting, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, herbs, and flowers. Regular updates of what we are working on, growing, and harvesting can be found on our blog http://www.thegardenofconcord.blogspot.com/
Please mark your calendars for a couple of garden events happening soon. On Saturday, April 17th, a local cub scout troop will be joining us in the garden to plant blueberry bushes, grapevines, and flowering trees along with other planting activities. We will be grilling up hotdogs to serve along with sides and drinks to the troop, their parents, leaders, and all garden members. More details will follow shortly to include a signup list for food.
We also will be having our Mother’s Day Flower sale again this year as a fundraiser for the garden. 4” wrapped potted plants will be pre-sold for $5.00 each with a gift card included. Order forms will be available soon along with details of the pickup date and site. Thank you in advance for your support and participation in these garden events.
Many material donations have been received over the past couple of weeks to include newspapers, straw, compost, pine needles, cow manure, cardboard, and of course, our awesome new broad fork! Your continued donations are appreciated to include yard décor pieces such as large pots (or any interesting container to plant flowers in), benches, picket fence sections, bird houses, small signs, etc. for our theme gardens. Monetary donations are always welcomed and needed!
We have completed the rebuilding and prepping of our existing vegetable beds and are now ready to plan, build, and plant our theme gardens for all to enjoy. Please let me know asap if you would be interested in managing one of these theme gardens which would involve the planning, planting, and care of the flowers as related to the particular garden. We have already marked out designated areas and will assist in the building and continued stages of the beds. We have several flower seeds to pick from to include some that have already been started in flats. The beds suggested so far include a prayer garden, butterfly garden, edible flower garden, medicinal garden, container garden, cut flower garden, bulb garden, and wedding garden. We are open to any other suggestions and ideas you may have! Remember, no green thumb is required in The Garden of Concord! We are learning and planting together!
The Garden Advisory Board has met several times over the past couple of months to brainstorm planting plans, events, fundraisers, grant research, and membership development. All members are always invited to attend these meetings. This is “your” garden and we value everyone’s thoughts, ideas, and concerns. The next GAB meeting is scheduled on April 12th at 7:00 pm in the meeting room of Concord UMC. We have been contacting other community gardens to get their ideas as well on the areas mentioned above. Generally, the success found by most in membership and fundraising has been by word of mouth and the donations from individuals within the garden, congregations, and the community.
Thank you for your continued help, support, and the sharing of the good news of our garden!
It WILL be good!
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