What can you use to contain a garden?

Hello guys n gals... I planted another garden yesterday, forgot to take a pick to show you all tho.  Oh well... next time.  Thanx again to Celia and the kiddos for waterin the garden last night. 

So I've heard of a few things to use as raised garden square borders... use the comment thingy here and lets see what else we can come up with.  So far I've heard...

Lumber

bricks

tires

bale of straw

and by the way... get well quickly Alan! And hang in there Karen

Happy Gardening, Beth

Seeds Seeds and more Seeds

Thanx Celia for this info, I'm gettin on it today...

Free Seed Grants for Volunteer Projects.

The America the Beautiful Fund has grants available for free seed for volunteers all over America to improve neighborhoods; create new parks and community gardens; start new environmental education programs; or grow food for the hungry, for soup kitchens and food banks, or others. Local groups can apply for a grant of 100 to 1000 free seed packets or up to 500 pounds of bulk vegetable seeds for a project in their communities. The most outstanding projects will be chosen for National Recognition Awards as models of how to nourish and beautify America and create a greener planet. For an application form, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to America the Beautiful Fund, Department N, 219 Shoreham Bldg., Washington, DC 20005.

 

The GROW Award (Gardeners Renewing Our World).

The GROW award is sponsored annually by the Vermont-based Gardener's Supply Company in honor of the late Robert Rodale. To apply for the GROW Award for individuals or groups who are "healing the earth through gardening," write to Gardener's Supply, 128 Intervale Road, Burlington, Vermont 05401, ATTN: GROW Award.

Monday Update

Hello fellow Gardeners... Thank you Celia, Aleesa & Andrew for watering the garden this evenin... you all ROCK!!  

I spoke with Russell, that has the storage containers west of town, near hospital, he has a 20 ft one for $1950 delivered... wouldn't budge on that price.  I'll keep looking.

I also went to Awards n More and found out they have a marker that would work great under the trees and its only $15 engraved.  They were out but said they ordered more last Friday and they should be in Tues-Wed, so I'll go back by and check it out the end of this week.

The bricks are unloaded and ready to border beds.... 

I also completed the letter requesting donations from area businesses and the letter inviting groups to come plant a garden square.    Drop me an email if you want a copy for your group or business.  I'll be printing some Tuesday and they will start going out in the mail.

Don't forget about the car wash Saturday at the MOW building, Noon-4pm, I'll be out there working in the garden... come by and say hi

Happy Gardening, Beth 

Garden Needs

We seem to have alot of border material & seeds all the sudden... now we need garden soil....

FOUR EASY STEPS TO COMPOSTING

Starting Your Own Compost Bin  



Step One: Choose a 4' x 4' area to place bin or pile, preferably in the shade. Add a layer of "brown" organic materials rich in carbon, like straw, leaves or chopped twigs.

Step Two: Add water as you add organic materials to the pile so the materials are damp like a sponge, not soggy.

Step Three: Add green organic materials that are rich in nitrogen, like grass clippings. Continue to add equal amounts in weight of "green" and "brown" organic materials.

Step Four: A properly made pile will reach temperatures up to 160 degrees F. in a day or two. The pile will settle during the process that may last from a few weeks to a few months. Turning the pile after the first week will speed up the process. Compost is ready for use when it appears dark, brown, crumbly and will have an earthy smell. Compost added to the garden, landscape and lawn will provide benefits of plant growth, water retention and protects plants from pests and diseases.

Fall/Winter Planting Suggestions

I know we're barely into summer but thought this was good info...

We are all familiar with the summer crops of tomatoes, squashes,

cukes, eggplant, peppers, potatoes, etc. but winter presents a

opportunity to plant the cooler season plants. And, as a bonus most

of them are very nutritious. Some good choices for this area by

experience are collards (Georgia), broccoli(Pac Man), Brussels

sprouts, cabbage, Swiss chard, spinach, garlic, beets, carrots,

turnips, and kale. Most of these are frost tolerant and will reward you

with fresh produce in the winter/spring months and keep you in the

gardening spirit year round.

Lettuce is also a wonderful plant to seed this month, especially right

before a nice rain storm. Consider Romaine, Salad Bowl, Red

Sails, Loose-Leaf, Mesclin mixes, Red Oak Leaf, Black Seeded,

Buttercrunch. There are many selections and if you get the seed in

early, there will be lots to share at Thanksgiving and Christmas time.

Dig your soil very loose by turning up the soil. Add compost.

Sprinkle out a pepper shaker full of seed and water in lightly.

Mother Nature will take over from there and will supply you and your

neighbors with an abundance of fresh lettuce. Enjoy!

Happy cool weather gardening,

Easter Gardening

I just returned from the Garden... wish I could do more.  So I remembered I forgot to let you all know we raised $29 in the donation box, so Jacob, Jeremy & I took that that and bought soil and peppers and built another square. 

This bricked in square I added this morning.  This is a smaller square and took about 1.5 cubic feet of soil.  I put 3 pepper plants in it but when they grow a bit I might have to move 1-2 to its own square, depending on how big they get.

Jacob & Jeremy medrano came out to help me water the garden this morning.  The sure enjoyed waterin the trees.  The hose didn't quiet reach that 4th tree but me managed.  Of course had to go get them dry clothes afterwards.

I know some of you object to leaving the hose out, but in order for peopel to help keep the garden watered I need to keep it accessable.  So there is a small pile of assorted lumber, a bag of soil, and the water hose. All located at the MOW building.

My truck is loaded with bricks, need to find someone to give me ahand at unloadin these in the next day or so.  Have another load of assorted lumber to go pick up.











You can find me on Facebook as Beth Pilkington LaFata... look me up and you can keep up to the minute updates of The Garden, since thats about all I talk about anymore... lol

Thanx again to all those that helped out yesterday!!