We have WATER!
Good News…and Bad News!
The BAD news is the water supply to the church sustained damage, so the water line that includes the garden had to be shut off. No news on how long until repairs are completed, but we will keep you posted.
The GOOD News is…surprisingly some plants survived the wicked cold, kale, spinach, onions, potatoes are alive, and we are seeing new growth emerging from the ground.
SPRING is only 30 days away…Take Heart!
Workday Canceled…due to bitter cold
Our workday this Saturday is canceled, due to the dangerous weather conditions. I will be at the garden Saturday from 9-10 am to answer questions, give out “Best Bets”, and just chew the fat, if you want to stop by. New compost has been delivered, and take heart…Spring is on the way!
Water Off at Garden!
Due to predicted record low temperatures, the water at the garden will be turned off to prevent further faucet and water line damage. When temperatures rise above freezing later next week…it will be turned back on. Thank you for your patience.
Bitter Cold Warning!
Temperatures in the next few days will be the coldest of the season, 13 f. Harvest crops like peas, lettuce, and cover or harvest cole crops. Root vegetables like potatoes, beets, and onions should be okay. We are planning on our garden workday, this Saturday, February 13th from 9-11. It is predicted to be very cold but dry…so wear your warmest clothes!
Workday Recap: Jan. 2021
New year — new garden projects! We had a frosty morning in the garden, with one major project—expanding the garden to make room for all our new members!
It’s a great “problem” to have, but most of our gardeners from last year are returning, plus we have several newbies who wanted to join. But we were out of plots!
Not anymore! We spent the morning with hammer and drill and a lot of teamwork to convert several of our experimental beds into formal garden plots!
When work is complete, we will have 10 new beds. Some will stay as community areas, but several are open to new gardeners.
We also took time to collect money from new and existing gardeners to reserve a plot. If you missed us this time, please attend in-person next month and bring your $35/plot donation! (Cash or check please)
We also did some tidying up. It wasn’t a good day for planting because of the impending snow and freeze, but we discussed best bets for January. We even had some beautiful cauliflower and cabbages to harvest!
Now is the time to plan your plot for the year. Some crops take a long time until harvest, so plan ahead so you reserve space for other things. (For example, radishes are ready to harvest in as little as a month, but potatoes planted now won’t be ready until June!)
Good plants for January are onions, English peas (and similar varieties like snow or snap peas), and white potatoes. It’s a good time for root vegetables like carrots, turnips, and radishes. Also consider leafy greens such as leeks and spinach.
See you at the next workday, February 13 from 9-11!
It’s cold…but we are still meeting!
Bring WARM clothes, hammers, drills, levels, and gloves…see you tomorrow.
Grow and Share is Growing…Again!
Bring your hammers, bring your drills, but most of all bring yourself, to our next garden workday this Saturday, January 9, from 9-11 am. We will be building 10 new garden plots to provide space for new gardeners. This is also the time outside gardeners can procure a plot for this year. $35 for a 10 x 4 foot space. Join us and help build for tomorrow.
Workday Recap: Dec. 2020
What a year of gardening! Despite everything, we grew and donated more than 2,570 pounds of produce! Thank you for doing your part to help your community!
Now is the time for returning gardeners to choose their plots! Returning gardeners in good standing can have up to two plots. If you want a specific plot someone already has, consider talking to them: maybe you can trade!
We will open the garden to new gardeners at our January meeting. You must be present at our January workday to choose a plot. Please bring $35 cash or a check per plot.
Of course, gardeners are always welcome to help on our community plots.
This month’s workday focused on cleanup. The frost has given us a lot to do! Our summer and fall crops needed to be removed, and we needed to care for our overwintering plots and winter vegetables.
We also had a lot to shred to improve our compost! Thank you again, Doug and Mike, for your shredding expertise.
We had several large vegetables removed from their plots. Please do not harvest other people’s crops. If you see someone harvesting another person’s plot, please do speak up and remind them of this rule.
However, we do know that unfortunately some people may be hungry this season, and we are unable to prevent all thefts. So please just be courteous to your fellow gardeners and respect our plots so we have more to donate.
Please also be careful with our hoses and faucets. With the cold weather, our faucets are more likely to leak. Please be sure to disconnect them and wind them carefully!
See you at our next workday, Saturday, January 9 from 9-11 a.m. Because of the pandemic, we will be working outside. Please dress warmly!
Gardeners are also invited to Christmas events at The Nor’Kirk, including a winter festival next weekend and Christmas Eve outdoor services. Check the Nor’Kirk’s Facebook page @thenorkirk for service information.
