Argonne Community Summer Solstice Work Day

The next work day is scheduled for Sunday June 14th beginning at 10:00 AM.  A community potluck will follow around 12:00 so bring a dish to share.  A short meeting will take place after the potluck.

On Thursday June 11th the garden received its delivery of compost from Rec & Park heavy equipment thanks to the diligence of  Jonathan, Sheree and Laura.  The city delivers on street cleaning days when the truck can unload through the fence, and everything fell into place for a successful delivery.  Please enjoy all the fresh compost.

Welcome All Our New Gardeners Spring 2009

Laura Del Rosso, our Garden Coordinator, has assigned plots to the following new gardeners:

#8 Lael Kopke
#4 Jeffrey Rose
#18 Laurie Meschke
#43 Rachel Vigil
#35 Charlie Gregg

Charlie Gregg is taking Grant Ernharat's plot (#35) and Grant is taking over plot #71, formerly tended by Stevan Schweitzer. If you see them, welcome them to the garden, or stop by the garden for our next work day on Sunday March 15th.

Next Work Party is Sunday March 15th 2009 at 10:00 AM

Sheree Kaslikowski (plot 13), Orchard Conservator, will coordinate garden's adopt an orchard tree program. Two fruit trees will be planted to replace those that had recently perished. Neem oil will be applied to trees to control aphid infestations.

Converting area by Ed's bench in the Upper Orchard to a flower bed, and weeding along the garden wooden pathway.

Upcoming work days for 2009 are Sunday June 14 and Saturday September 12. The Halloween event will be held at dusk on Saturday October 31st, and the Winter Solstice ceremony will take place on Sunday December 20th.

Equinox Work Party Meeting on September 21st Issues discussed

• On Friday September 19th, Ed Dierauf along with 8 students from the Urban School cleaned the greenhouse and pruned back the adjacent trees in the northeast corner of the garden.

• Sheree Kaslikowski (plot 13) has been tending 3 apple and 1 pear tree nearby her plot, and she shared photos depicting how abundant these trees were just prior to harvest. Sheree also presented a delicious pie made with these apples.

• Sheree mentioned that with just a little work we could increase yields on other apple trees. Apple trees in upper orchard were not producing fruit due to an aphid infestation. This could be prevented in the future by the application of Neem oil as insects do not like the smell of it. Suggested a future work day in the fall or winter to treat the trees.

• Jonathan Howland (plot 60) noted that the garden is receiving fewer manure / compost deliveries from the city with the next one expected for October 9th. If gardeners are interested in recharging their soils before then, Sloat Garden Center is offering 2 cubic yards of organic planting mix for just $6.

Final 2008 Work Party Sunday September 21st!

• Work party 10:00 AM followed by potluck (Yumm!)
• Community Meeting 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
• Please bring a dish to share with 5 or 6 people!
  
  

Agenda for Sunday September 21st meeting

• Signs to be posted at all three entrances to discourage harvesting of individual plots. Discuss having them in three languages.

• Amended garden agreement requesting each gardener inform garden leadership about long term absences when they will be unable to maintain their plot. The waiting list has grown to 30, and there is a growing interest in community gardens and local food.

• Will discuss what each gardener is most excited about harvesting this fall. Keep an inventory of seeds in the greenhouse and provide suggestions about when to plant.

• Compost pile has been depleted due to fewer Rec & Park deliveries. Suggest any alternative compost sources.

• Revisit the policy about the apple trees and clarify harvesting practices. Apples are available for gardeners to harvest.

• Seeking Section Coordinator for Aquarius (plots 30 to 42). Anyone interested in a leadership role in the garden encouraged to apply.

Our Summer Solstice Work Day on June 14th was a great success as much debris was cleared out from behind the shed and under the greenhouse. Jonathan Howland (Vice President) arranged for a truck to haul it all away just as the work day meeting had concluded. Many thanks to all who attended and all the wonderful dishes brought for the delicious potluck.

• Patrick McBride was nominated to a new post as garden club secretary.

• Mako and Yuki Hattori plot #50 announced sad news that they after many years in the garden are leaving their plot to garden at their home. They will be missed.

• The cart by the tool shed has gone missing, and we are looking at acquiring a replacement.

• Sheree plot #13 mentioned improving the path leading up to the Upper Orchard by first placing wooden posts in the sand to allow for easier navigation of wheel barrels. David mentioned there will be a student group visiting the garden on July 12th, and they can assist with putting down wood chips to improve the path. Volunteers were encouraged to attend.

• Alex Mazel #26 passed away recently, and a condolence card was sent around. Tracy #17 had mentioned that she would be willing to purchase tulips for the plot Alex had carved out by the bench. Perhaps this could be a fitting memorial for Alex who had been such a talented and diligent cultivator.

• Apple tree watering was again discussed, and it was mentioned watering is being handled on a casual basis. One tree in the Dell has perished, but the other trees are doing well and producing fruit. The beds around the trees were all cleared of weeds during the work day.

• The Native Border does not need water as those plantings are drought tolerant varieties suited to this climate. Jonathan #60 looks after the street trees on the 15th Street side.

• Sofia #14 asked about garbage, and the gardeners were reminded that garbage should be taken off site. The garden has service only for weeds and other organic material to be put in the green bins.

Welcome All Our New Gardeners!

Laura Del Rosso our garden coordinator, has been busy this summer welcoming new gardeners. Come to the workday or just stop by the garden to meet some of them. Our new gardeners this year are:

We now have 30 people on the waiting list!