What a Wonderful Few Days at the Garden!

Hey Everyone,

What a wonderful few days it has been at the garden.  So many have been out working on their beds, visiting, and volunteering their time.  We are rapidly becoming a wonderful community and it is such a pleasure to garden among each of you.  A special shout out to our young visitors on Friday.  Eli, Lily, and Josh all made my day so enjoyable and you are welcome to visit our garden anytime.  Thank you so much for helping our new gardeners prepare their bed and placing compost in Miss Nancy's bed.  She is very grateful for your help!  Eli, please keep me posted on your mantis egg case.  I cannot wait to see how they do for you.  Lily, I plan on releasing ladybugs in the garden within the next week or two and if you are down for helping, make sure I have your contact information and I will let you know when.  Maybe Miss Vicki will even help us!  Pretty Please, Miss Vicki?

Yes, these are actually chillin'
in my fridge!
Yikes!

On a side note for gardeners - two items.

• Just a friendly reminder to let everyone know that the shed and front gate have been found open on several occasions in the last couple of weeks.  If you are in the garden, please be sure and lock up.  It would also be nice to stroll by and check to be sure that the shed is locked in case someone else has forgotten.  Thanks so much for your help while we all get in the routine!      

Newly hatched mantis's on oregano!
These were Fred & Wilma
a few hours after birth!
They are in the lower right quadrant.

• Part of gardening organically requires the utilization of beneficial insects in the garden to assist in keeping undesirable pests to a minimum.  Ladybugs are wonderful to have around as they feed on small soft-bodied insects with a voracious appetite.  The first release will be to assist us in building numbers before aphids arrive.  Subsequent releases will follow.  I also have praying mantis egg cases in incubation for future releases. If anyone has young children or grandchildren this is a wonderful way to have them involved and be a garden helper.  

        Bugs are cool!  

Have a great start to the week!

Denise, Beds 25 & 29