Menominee Area Communal Garden

Tiny Fruits

2009-07-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

We are just beginning to see tiny cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, and yellow zucchini in the garden. What a wonderful time of year! We are passing the mid-season mark, and the garden is really kickin in to high gear. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and harvest, harvest, harvest. Our hard work and patience is beginning to bare fruit.

Here is a peak (above) at the Paris Island Cos (Romaine) we will be harvesting this week. Sublime results this year!

Have you ever had the experience of 'voluntary' plants coming up in your garden? We've had many this year, including many melons, squashes, and sunflowers, likely brought in as we spread our compost throughout the garden. Here is a shot of 4 such plants that came up this year, which are actually doing far better than any of the same family of plants we seeded (above). They are at least four time the size of those we seeded. It will be interesting to see how they perform throughout the season. We tend to just let them run free and enjoy seeing nature take its course. Please share with us your favorite voluntary plant stories.

May your garden continue to flourish as ours is!

Marty

Turnips, Peas, Lettuce in July?

2009-07-15T18:23:00.000-07:00

Our bountiful harvest continues to gain speed! We began harvesting turnips last week, and are overrun by the two rows we planted. (Photo above: Garden member Karen pulling turnips)

Snow peas are delectable, and our short row of Drawf Greys (about 15 feet) are producing a pound to a pound and a half every other day. The few beets that survived the deer invasion are just perfect.

Surprisingly, lettuces (Black-seeded Simpson and Bibb) continue to give, with only a slight hint of occasional bitterness beginning...bolting is happening in select areas of the row. The Romaine heads will be harvested this week. (Photo above: Gardener members Karen & Carol harvesting lettuces)

The garden is becoming more beautiful every day. I find myself wandering through it just taking in the beauty. Come out for a tour soon!

Marty

The Joys of Summer

2009-07-05T08:12:00.000-07:00

Every day the landscape of the garden changes. Something new is in bloom, developing fruits, or ready to harvest. The garden is now about 9,000 square feet, packed full of veggies, flowers, and herbs (more photos soon, I promise!). I have been so busy with the garden project, that blogging has been last priority. Now that planting season is (mostly) past, and we are mainly on maintenance duty until harvest rolls around, I hope to be a more consistent blogger.

I am pleased to report that we have implemented the 'Three Sisters' planting method this year, which is the inter planting of squashes, corn, and beans. The beans feed the corn, the corn provides a 'pole' for the beans, and the squashes (mostly pumpkins in our garden), provide shade to retain moisture and discourage weed production. We followed the planting guide found in Great Garden Companions by Sally Jean Cunningham.

We also followed the advise of Eliot Coleman (from his book Four Season Harvest) to place 6-8 inches of straw over and around our potato plants to deter the potato beetles, and it has worked very well. Although there have been 20-30 beetles visiting so far, they have been manageable, with a couple of walk-through each day and checking for eggs every other day, we have (so far) averted disaster. The potato plants are lush! Best success we have had here with potatoes.

Here is a shot of our first spinach harvest. We have enjoyed five cuttings, ranging from 23 oz to 18 oz. This week will be our last cutting, as the spinach has bolted. Next week, we will sow the Fall harvest, and continue to grow spinach year-round in cold frames, following Eliot Coleman's instructions (same book as mentioned above).

The lettuce harvest this year has been phenomenal. Bibb, Black Seeded Simpson, and Paris Island Cos (Romaine) have all stood up to the heat without bolting or becoming bitter. This is my first experience with BSS, and I love it!

The communal aspect of the garden continues to be full of joy. We are enjoying getting to know one another while working together for a common goal. A very rewarding experience.

Garden on!

Marty

Chilly Spring Weather

2009-06-06T12:30:00.000-07:00

It has been a very, very cold Spring. And, the weatherman has been predicting last-minute frosts, which has taken out over half of our tomatoes and peppers that were set out a couple of weeks ago. Fortunately, not all of the tomatoes and peppers were put out early, but we did lose a significant portion of our heirloom tomatoes. Rumor has it that after Sunday's full moon, the cold weather threat will be over...I certainly hope so, the plants are getting impatient to spread their roots and fly.

On a high note, all but one small segment of our first garden is planted. Potatoes are thriving. The garlic is loving the straw mulch. Turnips, arugula, green onions, carrots, and lettuces are at cruising altitude. The corn is up, and is tolerating the brief cold snaps well (although the growth is slow, almost timid or unsure); we are planting using the 'Three Sisters' method this year. Peas are ready for trellising, the brussles sprouts have taken, and onions abound. We have reseeded the Mache twice, with no luck...any hints? We have been eating radishes out of the garden for two weeks now, and we plan to enjoy our first harvest of baby spinach leaves next week.

Last week there was a minor weed overtake, but thanks to a handy new weeding tool, and a lot of hands-and-knees weeding time from our garden members, and things are looking ship-shape! If you are looking for what I think may be the world's greatest garden tool, check out the weeding hoe through Johnny's Select Seed. I am ordering this one soon, and am using an older model for now...which works wonders, so I can't wait to see what this new version can do!

One of our neighbors was kind enough to give us raspberry suckers, which means next year we will be enjoying a raspberry patch!

We have a busy week ahead. All the live plants and remaining seeds will be sown, putting garden season at full throttle. Many hopes that your gardening efforts are going as well, if not better, than ours.

Come visit us soon...

Marty

Plant Sale this Saturday, May 23, 2009

2009-05-20T11:30:00.001-07:00

Please visit our booth at the Menominee Farm Market (streetside in front of the Bandshell - open Sat 9 am-1pm). Our booth will be manned from 10 am to close and will feature live plants, including the following:

Spaghetti Squash
Broccoli
Herbs
Tomatoes (Heirlooms + favorites)
Peppers (Bells and Banana)
Summer Squash
Zucchini
Cucumbers (Heirlooms + favorites)
Okra
Eggplant
Brussels Sprouts
Asparagus
and a few Perennial Flowers

The communal garden will sell only live plants this year, but I will be bringing fresh flowers, plants, and produce to market all season; if you are looking for inexpensive foods grown using organic practices, stop by the market!

The Farm Market will continue through October 11, every Saturday as above, Thursdays from 3-7 pm, and then in the parking lot of Harbors (corner of 10th/10th, beside Holy Spirit Church) on Sundays from 8 am to Noon.

Happy Gardening,
Marty

Sprout It Out

2009-05-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

There are hundreds of tiny sprouts covering the garden (most of them weeds!). Since the last post, spinach (pictured below), garlic, carrots, green onions, turnips, peas, and more radishes. The abundant rains have been welcome, as watering the garden is very cumbersome and time consuming.

The second wave of potatoes, spinach, turnips, and peas went in last week. This week, tulips, daffodils, blue bonnets, and violets blossomed. We have enjoyed wonderfully warm temperatures, with several days hitting 75 F.

Here is a shot of how the garden looked last week, if you look closely, you can see radishes inside the cold frames (which will be removed this week), and directly beside the row of cold frames is a triple row of garlic with 6" green tops already!

This week will be transplanting more Brussels sprouts (our first wave of Brussels sprouts are not doing so well), and seeding another wave of carrots, radishes, and potatoes. As if that weren't enough to keep our hands busy, we are in full swing preparing for the upcoming plant sale, May 23, and weeds are so abundant after these few rainy days that the garden appears to have a green carpet!

Wish us luck!

Marty

First Transplants

2009-04-28T14:45:00.000-07:00

The first transplants (brussels sprouts) went in on this sunny but oh, so windy day. This is my first experience growing brussels sprouts, and have enjoyed watching them thrive as seedlings, and look forward to learning how to cook them when they are ready to harvest (after first Fall frost).

Arugula and Mache Corn Salad were sown yesterday, both of which will add a nice variety to our lettuce mixes this season.

Tomorrow's forcast looks decent, partly cloudy with temps in the 50s...looking forward to another day of communal gardening. Feel free to come any time between 10 am and 4 pm.

Marty

Local Gardening Classes

2009-04-25T06:51:00.000-07:00

Is anyone interested in attending local gardening classes? We could pick a class to attend as a group, and get to know one another. There are really cool classes offered at Harmony Arbatorium.

Enjoy this rainy day!

Marty

Happy EARTH Day

2009-04-22T17:28:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful way to spend Earth Day 2009...in the communal garden planting seeds with friends! It was a beautiful experience, thank you.

AND, appropriately enough, our first seedlings in the cold frames broke through this evening, the French Breakfast Radishes, photo above. After posting a photo of snow on the cold frames yesterday, the sprouts are affirming the benefits of cold framing.

Paul broke ground for one of the additional gardens to create more space today. The garden is growing...it is all so very exciting!

One more shot of the rows we put in today. Things are really coming along.

Happiest of Earth Days to you all...especially you, Mother Earth.

Marty

Snow Day + MACG on Twitter

2009-04-21T07:23:00.000-07:00

A photo of snow on the garden this morning. The sensitive seeds are tucked in under the cold frams, and the potatoes, onions, garlic, turnips, spinach and peas won't mind the brief cold.

Also, MACG is now on Twitter! Search for MACG or communalgarden and follow the Twitter updates. If you have links, quotes, or thoughts that would make a good MACG Tweets, please pass them along.

Have a wonderful day! See you tomorrow.
Marty

New Photo + First Harvest as Early as May 7!

2009-04-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a new garden photo, these are the red/white/blue potatoes Carol and I put in Easter Sunday.

I am mapping out harvest dates as we plant, and we will be harvesting as early as May 7...radishes! Here are the approximate harvest dates so far (dependant upon temperatures, etc.):

May
7-cherry bell radish
8-french breakfast radish
13-white icicle radish
17-mesclun mix lettuce
20-watermelon radish

June
1-gourmet lettuce blend
2-bloomsdale spinach
8-chioggia beets
9-turnips
13-detroit dark red beets
14-tall top early wonder beets & green onions
16-scarlet nantes carrots
21-touchon carrots & dark seeded early perfection shelling peas

THIS is why we are planting so early...early planting = early harvest! I am so very excited that we will be eating veggies fresh from the garden so early in the season.

Have a wonderful day, see you in the garden soon!
Marty

Planting Times & Other News

2009-04-07T10:09:00.000-07:00

Finally! The time has come for us to begin PLANTING!

Paul plowed a section of Earth (44' x 117') to get things started (see pic). A neighbor loaned us their tiller, and we will be tilling throughout the week. We can begin to set out onions, turnips, potatoes, garlic, and peas, and a there are a few other items that can be started with the help of cold frames, like carrots, lettuce, radishes, and leeks.

We will begin planting this weekend, April 12 between the hours of 10 am-4 pm. Join us if you can (let me know so I can have everything ready).

You may spend time in the garden, weather permitting, on Wednesdays and Sundays between 10 am-4 pm through May 20th, at which time the schedule will be adjusted to accommodate the Farm Market hours (again, let me know when you will be here, and if this schedule does not work for you, please let me know so I can adjust the schedule).

Other updates include good news from the fundraising efforts of the yoga class @ Spies Library. The funds have greatly helped efforts to purchase a large variety of seed and seed starting supplies. We are hoping the support for the class continues, so that we can purchase materials for a the raised beds. Please tell everyone you know to come to class (Saturdays @ 10 am, except April 11th it is at 1 pm).

Our next fundraising effort will be a plant sale at the end of May @ the Menominee Farm Market. Plants are coming along nicely, and we are hoping the sale will raise enough funds for our first green house (which will extend our growing potential into the late Fall and possibly Winter, and also provide a better space for seedlings to live next Spring). If you would like to volunteer additional time to work the Farm Market booth to raise funds for our garden, the schedule starts May 23 (Saturdays from 9-1, Sundays from 8-12, Thursdays from 3-7).

Hope to see you this Sunday! Have a great week.

Marty

Work Hours & Work Days

2009-03-24T13:43:00.000-07:00

Details, details, details! Here we go!

Four work hours per person/share per week, a total of sixteen hours per month. If four hours per week is too much to fit in your schedule, you can work half the hours for half the harvest share (this will apply for the full season, no switching mid-season). A full share is for those who plan to put up food for Winter, a half share is for those who just want to eat fresh, in-season foods from May-Sept. For those who joined as a couple, if you come together and work for two hours, it counts as four hours. Working double time for two shares may be available next year, depending on how this year goes...it is unpredictable at this point, so we will not offer it as an option this year.

You may schedule your work hours with me, or come on scheduled work days, which will be posted for the upcoming starting the first week of April. We are still waiting for Parthees to open for the season to access sifted dirt for the raised beds, so that is impeding our progress on getting the schedule posted. However we do have a patch of garden that was not used last year that, with the space concerns and cost of building raised beds, will be a huge help. So if we can borrow a tiller (we foolishly sold ours last year) from a neighbor, we will till the soil as soon as the frost breaks, and can begin sowing onions, potatoes, spinach and other cold crops out in the open or in cold frames.

Stay tuned. I will post the schedule of work days for April ASAP!

Marty

Progress Report

2009-03-23T08:51:00.000-07:00

The seedlings are flourishing, and planting continues. As you can see, my living room now resembles more closely a greenhouse than a living space. I am really enjoying tending the nursery, and am looking forward to planting them in the garden with you in the near future. This week is 'crunch' week to get the last of the seeds planted and the current seedlings out into bigger pots. With over 500 tomato plants (not counting the asparagus, peppers, herbs, etc.), it should keep me quite busy.

Here's a preview of what we have to look forward to come harvest:

Cucumbers, including Organic Straight Eights, Org. Sumters, and Heirloom Lemons
Brussels Sprouts, Long Island Improved (this is an experiment, I've never grown these!)
Eggplant, including White Eggs, Organic Early Long Purple, and a Burpee Hybrid
Winter Squash, including Waltham Butternuts, Bush Pink Bananas, Buttercups, and Spagetti
Summer Squash, including Greyzini Zucchini, Black Beauty Zucchini, and Organic Straigtneck (yellow squash)
Cabbages, including Oriental Express and I am still looking for a couple more varieties
Broccoli, an Organic Green Sprouting Calabrese
Gourds, a mix of ornamental for Autumn decor
Pumpkins galore, including Jack-Be-Little (ornamental), Jack-O'-Lantern, Organic Small Sugar (think pumpkin pie, bread, etc.), and Triple Treat (looking to add a couple more varieties as well)
Melons, including Organice Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe, Organic Moon & Stars Watermelon, and Bush Sugar Baby Watermelon
Leeks, Broad London
Sandwich/Sauce Tomatoes, including Steak Sandwich Hybrid, Organic Beefsteaks, Romas, Heirloom Brandywine (pink), Heirloom Mortgage Lifter :) (red/burgundy), Heirloom Big Rainbow (yellow/red), and Better Boy Hybrid (and MAYBE a couple of other Heirlooms)
Cherry/Salad Tomatoes, including Tasty Treat, Super Sweet 100, Sungold Hybrid (orange), Heirloom Yellow Pear, and Gardener's Delight
Asparagus (ready to harvest in a couple of years, but will be planted this year), Mary Washington
Spinach, Organic Bloomsdale (long standing), and looking for a second variety
Bell Peppers, including Big Red, Chardonnay, Purple Beauty, Orange Sun, Diamond, Heirloom Chinese Giants, and Organic California Wonder
Hot Peppers, including Anaheim, Ancho, Cayenne, Jalapeno, and Hungarian Wax
Sweet Peppers, Sweet Banana
Beans, including Sequoia (purple), Heirloom Triomphe De Farcy (green), and Early Bush Italian (green)
Peas, including Heirloom Mammoth Melting (snow), Drawf Gray Sugar, and Dark Seeded Early Perfection (shelling)
Okra, Clemson Spineless
Radishes, including Heirloom French Breakfast, Heirloom Watermelon (white w/red core), Organic Cherry Bell, and White Icicle
Turnips, Organic Purple Top White Globe
Beets, including Heirloom Chioggia (striped core), Organic Detriot Dark Red, and Organic Tall Top Early Wonder
Carrots, including Heirloom Touchon and Organic Denvers (maybe a couple more yet)
Lettuce, including Organic Mesclun Mix (salad bowl, oak leaf, red salad bowl, arugula endive, radicchio, and cress), Organic Gourmet Blend (grand rapids, oak leaf, salad bowl, red salad bowl and prizeleaf), Organic Bibb, Organic Parris Island Cos (romaine), and Organic Black Seeded Simpson
Corn, Organic Luscious Hybrid (maybe an ornamental as well)
Onions, including Organic Evergreen Bunching (green onion), and white and yellow onions (also I am look for reds to start from seed, we will see!)
Herbs, including Rosemary, Organic Sweet Basil, Organic Sage, Organic Cat Grass (for the cats!), Catnip (again, the cats), Organic Cilantro, Lavender, Spearmint, Org. Chives, German Chamomile, Fernleaf Dill, Common Thyme, and Sweet Marjoram

Wait...HOW IS ALL THIS GOING TO FIT IN MY YARD???? :)

This is going to be a huge garden, hope you are ready for an abundant season of joyful gardening! We are starting to construct the beds next week, with hopes of planting in the cold frames during the first two weeks of April. I will keep you posted when work hours are available. So far, we have six participants, and I am going to figure out the hours per person/per harvest portion and let you know where we stand next week.

Have a great week!

Marty

Fund Raiser! Yoga @ Spies Library

2009-03-07T06:46:00.000-08:00

Please spread the word about this!

Invite a friend and come enjoy a soothing yoga class while support the communal garden.

Please join me @ the Spies Library on Saturday March 7 @ 10 am for an all levels Hatha yoga class. This class is beginner friendly, and will also offer modifications for experienced yogis to deepen their practice (same format as the Stephenson and MMS classes). You will need a sticky-style yoga mat! The classroom is located in the first floor art gallery (go just past the front desk and turn left). If well supported, this class will continue into April/May, and possibly beyond.

There is no fee for the class, however there is the opportunity for those who enjoy the class and would like to express their gratitude to 'paying it forward' by making a cash donation of any size to the Menominee Area Communal Garden. A donation bucket will be available at class, and a printed flyer with information about joining, supporting, or purchasing produce from the garden will be available for those who are interested. There are still a few spots left for those interesting in cultivating this year's garden.

For more info about this and other yoga classes, visit http://www.martytribble.com/yogaclasses.html.

Have a great day...the promise of Spring is in the air!

Variety is the Spice of Life!

2009-03-05T08:55:00.000-08:00

Hello all!

By week's end, my living room will be a mini-greenhouse. I've been planting seeds each day since last Thursday. This post is just an update on the seeds sown so far this season (if all goes well and the seeds sprout and survive, of course!). The names with an asterisk (*) are organic seeds. I've been really impressed with the availability of organic seed at various stores both locally and in Green Bay. I will only have to mail order a few items

Tomatoes: Roma, Heirloom Brandywine (pink), Heirloom Big Rainbow (yellow), Beefsteak*, Steak Sandwich Hybrid, Better Boy Hybrid, and a variety of Cherry tomatoes (including Gardener's Delight, Tasty Treat, Sweet 100, Sun Gold Hybrid (orange), and Yellow Pear (yellow).

Eggplant: Burpee Hybrid, Early Long Purple*

Peppers: Hot Pepper Mix (Anaheim, Ancho, Cayenne, Jalapeno, Hungarian Wax), Sweet Banana, Bell Mix (Heirloom Chinese Giant, California Wonder*, Big Red, Chardonnay, Purple Beauty, Orange Sun, Diamond).

Herbs: Sweet Marjoram, Thyme*, Lavender, Spearmint, Basil*, Chives*, Sage*, Rosemary

Ornamental: Catgrass* (for those who have cats @ home!)

Asparagus seeds will be started, however, it will take one to two years for us to be able to harvest them...but they will be a cool addition to the garden.

I hope you are feeling as inspired...I know I am. Even with the snow still lingering, seeing the seedlings is a real promise of Spring.

Have a great day!
Marty

The First Seedlings Have Arrived

2009-03-04T11:19:00.000-08:00

How exciting is this? The first tomato seedlings burst through the soil yesterday (about 100 of them so far). There are more on the way, so stay tuned. I've planted several hundred seeds so far, both veggies and herbs, I'll post more details soon. Just wanted to post this inspiring photo.

Enjoy!

Marty

Seeds Are Being Sown

2009-02-28T10:36:00.000-08:00

(update: we have 6 participants already!)

This is my favorite part of the gardening season...the first contact with soil at the tail-end a long, long Winter. The smell of the fresh dirt, the texture of tiny seeds, the thrill of choosing varieties, and the anticipation of seedlings breaking through in as little as 7 days.

This week I began a variety of tomato seedlings for the communal garden. So far the varieties include Organic Beefsteak Tomatoes, a mix of cherry tomatoes (Sweet 100, Sun Gold Hybrid, and Yellow Pears), an Heirloom Pink Brandywine Tomato, and a basic Roma...and if the season goes well, we should be overrun with tomatoes, around 100 plants, depending on how many participant we have in total. It may seem like a lot, but we have had over 40 plants each year for one household! Think filling the freezer or pantry your spaghetti, marinara, and pizza sauce, salsa, stew tomatoes, etc. Over the next three months, my living room will be overrun with little seedlings, growing and reaching toward the light.

This year we will be implementing 'companion gardening' which is a new concept for most of us. We've always grown an organic garden (no sprays/chemicals/fertilizers), but had a few issues with pests. We found out that the issue was growing a traditional 'row' style garden encourages pests, whereas mimicking a more natural way of growing plants closer and with their companion plants discourages pests. This style of gardening groups plant 'families' together that either attract or repel insects for one another, or create an optimal soil PH. It should be fun to see what happens!

Feel free to post any ideas, comments, recipes, or musings. Check back soon for updates.

The 2009 (Pilot) Season Has Begun!

2009-02-24T09:48:00.000-08:00

Garden Contact Info:
You may contact the garden coordinator, Marty Tribble, at (715) 330-1821 if you wish to participate. The garden plot is located in Wallace, Michigan, property use provided by Paul Versnick.

Mission Statement/Ideals:
A garden designed to create an experience of growing organic produce, herbs and flowers while cultivating loving cooperation, acts of kindness, a sense of community, and green living practices to the benefit of all beings.

Who Can Participate:
Anyone who subscribes to the above ideals! All ages are welcome, children under 15 must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult. You must supply your own transportation, gardening gloves, hat, bug and sun screen. We strongly recommend using a plant-based bug and sun repellant for your own health and safety (ask for suggestions). Please apply any chemical based bug repellants before coming to the garden, spraying in the garden does not support our organic endeavors. New participants are currently being accepted to the program, you must contact Marty by March 31 to participate in the 2009 season.

Cost:
There is currently no fee for participating in the communal garden. To offset the costs of seeds, tools, materials and supplies for the garden, a portion of the garden harvest and potted herbs/perennials will be sold at local Farmer’s markets.

Participation Requirements:
This garden’s success is dependant upon the participants working in cooperation and a spirit of community.

In order to receive your portion of the garden harvest, you will be required to log a certain number of work hours in the garden on a weekly or bi-weekly basis . This number of hours varies each season depending on the number of participants, and is typically minimal. The schedule is flexible for most of the year, with more specific timing requirements in early Spring and during the harvest.

Work duties will include but not be limited to building/prepping raised and ground beds, starting seedlings indoors in late Winter, transplanting, direct sowing seeds, tending plants, mulching, weeding, bed maintenance, harvest, garden Winterizing. Duties will vary each week depending on the seasonal needs of the garden. Garden duties begin in late March and end in late September.

Plant Varieties:
The plant selection will vary from season to season based on community needs. The following are standard staples in the garden:

HERBS are available early in the season. Enjoy cuttings of fresh basil, chives, sage, oregano, mint, parsley, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, cilalntro, dill, catnip, chamomile. Potted herbs for your window sill are available for a small fee that will go toward off-setting the garden costs.

VEGGIES begin in early spring with rhubarb, potatoes, garlic, onion, green onion, spinach, peas, peas, asparagus (2010) and lettuces, and continues throughout the season with carrots, parsnips, leeks, beets, tomatoes, eggplant, pumpkin, winter squashes, bell peppers, cayenne peppers, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, okra, zucchini, cukes, yellow squash, beans, corn.

FRUITS will include strawberries and there are a few trees that already grow here include baking apples (if the frost doesn't hit the blossoms), and pears (one really good, prolific tree). We are hoping to add plums, berries (blueberries, blackberries, etc.) and cherries in the coming years.

ANNUAL CUTTING FLOWERS start coming in mid-late July and include sunflowers, cosmos, poppies, nasturtium, zinnias, daisies, and many others.

PERENNIALS are offered for a small fee for transplanting in your own beds at home, the fee is collected to offset garden costs. Varieties vary by season.

Special Interest Projects & Events:
There will occasionally be opportunities to participate in special interest projects and events such as learning how to build a water garden, making garden furniture and decor, birdhouses, trellises, visit other area gardens, talks from Master Gardeners, garden parties, etc. These projects and events will be posted on the blog, if you are interested in joining in on the learning, contact Marty for details.

In addition, we will be sharing a portion of our harvest with the local homeless shelter.