Monday, July 25, 2011
Sunday work recap (7/24): Quick harvest
The storm clouds were rolling in, so the youth group and I did a quick pick through the beans and cucumbers. We'll have to wait until next week to do some maintenance.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Work this week
While Sunday night will be the group night, you are welcome to come out any time to work on your own. In particular, coming out to do even a small amount of weeding (in the cool hours of the day) would really make a big difference.
Weeding: the tomatoes and beans are getting a little crowded and could both use some work.
Picking: The beans are starting to come in, so we'll be picking more Sunday night.
Posts: We have a few more fence posts to put in, so if you want some exercise (or can just stand still and hold a post), come on out.
Also, we need people to deliver the produce to the food pantries. If you are interested in driving, please contact me via Facebook or the Contact link on this page. I need to schedule this on a case by case basis, so I need your contact information if you can do it.
Weeding: the tomatoes and beans are getting a little crowded and could both use some work.
Picking: The beans are starting to come in, so we'll be picking more Sunday night.
Posts: We have a few more fence posts to put in, so if you want some exercise (or can just stand still and hold a post), come on out.
Also, we need people to deliver the produce to the food pantries. If you are interested in driving, please contact me via Facebook or the Contact link on this page. I need to schedule this on a case by case basis, so I need your contact information if you can do it.
First harvest 2011: It's on
It wasn't the biggest haul of vegetables, a handful of beans and this nice summer squash, but it's a sign that our hard work has paid off. We'll pick more this Sunday and next week. By the end of next week, we should have enough beans and squash to make a drop at one of the food pantries.
Monday, July 18, 2011
An invitation to the garden
We're entering a crucial time for the garden. We've worked hard to make this our best year yet, and the garden is looking great.
If you haven't come out to see the garden yet, consider this your invitation. You are welcome to pull some weeds (the tomatoes are looking a little crowded with crabgrass), but you are also invited to just come out and spend some quiet time enjoying the grass, trees, and plants.
The garden is located at the end of the driveway as you approach the church. Be aware of the fishing line fence and look for the black mesh fabric where the gate is. There are two twine ties that secure the gate to a metal pole. Please tie the gate back up when you leave.
Mornings and late evenings are especially beautiful and peaceful. My favorite time in the garden is just after 8pm as the sun is going down. The swallows come out and the temperature drops. (Bring along bug spray if you are out toward sunset or the mosquitoes might interfere with your relaxed mood.) There is also a picnic table where you can just sit and enjoy the birds and fireflies as the light changes over the garden. You can even bring along the kids to play on the playground or the dog to run around the big open spaces.
Please take this opportunity to come and see what we have done and to think about the people around us who are in need. In the end, this garden isn't for us, but for all the people we hope will benefit from this fresh food grown in their own neighborhood.
If you haven't come out to see the garden yet, consider this your invitation. You are welcome to pull some weeds (the tomatoes are looking a little crowded with crabgrass), but you are also invited to just come out and spend some quiet time enjoying the grass, trees, and plants.
The garden is located at the end of the driveway as you approach the church. Be aware of the fishing line fence and look for the black mesh fabric where the gate is. There are two twine ties that secure the gate to a metal pole. Please tie the gate back up when you leave.
Mornings and late evenings are especially beautiful and peaceful. My favorite time in the garden is just after 8pm as the sun is going down. The swallows come out and the temperature drops. (Bring along bug spray if you are out toward sunset or the mosquitoes might interfere with your relaxed mood.) There is also a picnic table where you can just sit and enjoy the birds and fireflies as the light changes over the garden. You can even bring along the kids to play on the playground or the dog to run around the big open spaces.
Please take this opportunity to come and see what we have done and to think about the people around us who are in need. In the end, this garden isn't for us, but for all the people we hope will benefit from this fresh food grown in their own neighborhood.
Sunday work recap (7/17): Trellises are up
It was so hot in the garden that I waited about an hour to head out and work. The evening actually turned out pretty nice and I was able to get a lot done. In particular, I set up two trellises: one for the pole beans and one for some tomatoes that didn't have cages. They went in very easily and I think they will be something we can use for years to come. I got the idea for it here, if anyone else wants to try it. I used some fence posts we had laying around instead of bamboo poles and twine for the beans to climb. I'll add another couple layers later.
It made me think about how much I've learned working in the garden. I really didn't know anything about gardening when I started (and still don't know very much). But by trying things, and learning what works, I've made a lot of progress. For anyone who is interested in trying their own hand at it, this should give you hope. It doesn't take know-how, just a willingness to try.
It made me think about how much I've learned working in the garden. I really didn't know anything about gardening when I started (and still don't know very much). But by trying things, and learning what works, I've made a lot of progress. For anyone who is interested in trying their own hand at it, this should give you hope. It doesn't take know-how, just a willingness to try.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Sunday work night - help needed
Tonight we need some extra help in the garden to put up some fence posts. In particular, we need a fence post driver. So if you can lend a hand, please join us.
Also, the harvest is fast approaching, so spread the word and stayed tuned for updates.
Also, the harvest is fast approaching, so spread the word and stayed tuned for updates.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday work recap (7/10)
Some of the children in the Souled Out youth group came out to help weed the garden. I stayed to mulch the peppers, fix some broken fishing line, fertilize, and spray Liquid Fence. There are some blossoms on the beans and squash and some green tomatoes are already on the plants. We'll be harvesting in no time, so stay tuned.
Need a volunteer from Harlem Rd. and New Albany UMC to be congregational liaison
We're approaching harvest time and communication between our congregations is going to be critical. I need someone from each congregation to be available via email or phone who can pass on messages to their respective congregations. You don't even need to be working in the garden to help out. If you can do it, leave a comment or send me an email via the Contact link on the side of the page. Thanks.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
What we need to do this week (7/4)
The most pressing issue at the moment is weeding. The mulch is doing a great job in most of the garden, but the peppers really need help. At this point the grass is encroaching and we need to put down some newspaper underneath the edges of the hay. You can see this in the picture below.
You are welcome to come out any time and lend a hand. Just be sure to use the gate so you don't get caught in the fence. I've added another bundle of newspapers to the blue bin by the front door of the church that you are welcome to use.
In case you didn't know, the church installed a new playground this spring, so feel free to bring along the kids.
You are welcome to come out any time and lend a hand. Just be sure to use the gate so you don't get caught in the fence. I've added another bundle of newspapers to the blue bin by the front door of the church that you are welcome to use.
In case you didn't know, the church installed a new playground this spring, so feel free to bring along the kids.
There is a work night scheduled for Thursday, but I won't be there. (I will be back for the Sunday night session.) But, again, you are welcome to come out anytime.
Sunday work recap (7/3)
It was a beautiful evening in the garden and I was able to get a lot done. I finished the fishing-line deer fence, mulched the beans with newspaper, and fertilized and applied Liquid Fence.
Some of the plants are looking really good. The tomatoes that were planted in compost are doing really great and there are some blossoms already.
Someone came out during the week and did some great work mulching the tomatoes and squash with newspaper. Even this small amount of help really makes a big difference.
Friday, July 1, 2011
How to keep up with the latest news about the 3 Sisters Garden
If you are reading this, you probably are already familiar with how to find out the latest information about the garden, but just in case, here is a reminder.
Things are happening fast in the garden, but there are lots of ways to keep up with the latest requests for help and posts about what we are up to. We are trying to limit the number of announcements made in church since there is a lot of information to share. As harvest season approaches, our need for volunteers will increase greatly.
1. Subscribe to receive updates via email
We use our website (www.3sistersgarden.blogspot.
This is the FeedBurner service owned by Google (our blog is also hosted by Google.) Enter your email address and click the activation link the email sent to you by FeedBurner to start receiving updates. You can change your subscription preferences anytime. Also, your email is not shared with marketers or 3rd parties.
2. "Like" our Facebook page
If you are on Facebook, you can receive updates through our page there, including links to the latest blog posts. Simply sign into Facebook, and like our page: http://www.facebook.com/
3. Get updates via RSS
If you don't know what RSS, don't try this method. If you use a feed reader, you can subscribe here: http://3sistersgarden.
The email list has been discontinued, but you are always welcome to contact the garden manager through Facebook or the email posted under "Contact" on the website. We've accomplished a lot this year, including sharing fresh peas and lettuce with the Souled Out youth group and the Wide Open worship service hosted by Galena United Methodist at Westerville Estates (more info: http://www.instastore.
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