Mike's Pictures from the Thursday Workday

Rita and Elise digging weeds

Carol moving dirt to top off a bed

Dalita supervising Vicki's weed pulling



Hard at work spreading mulch
 



Lost & Found Box

We now have an official Lost & Found Box in the shed. It even has something in it! The tools in the Lost & Found Box were originally found on Dec 20 near Bed 17. 

What the Lost & Found Box looks like

 

 

What is in the Lost & Found Box

Question on Corn Seed

Hey Everyone,

I have a really stupid question that I seem to see mixed information on.

I am looking at Sugar Buns Hybrid Corn Seed which states it contains sugar-enhancer endosperm.  If it is endosperm enhanced, is that the GMO seed? 

Also on a funny note the endosperm comes up as a misspelling and blogger wants to replace it with the word spender......Maybe it is the late night on the computer, but spender and endosperm in my corn is certainly tickling the ole funny bone.  That would be a conversation piece in the garden, lol!

Denise, Beds 25 & 29

Super Sow Sunday

I received this email for a good chance to get some early spring planting knowledge. Super Sow Sunday at all Pikes Sunday, February 3, 10am - 3pm Start your seeds now so they are ready for spring. Join us for this hands-on event at all Pike Nurseries locations. We will have everything in stock you'll need, and of course plenty of expert advice! No registration needed.

Bluebird Trail - Labor of Love

All it takes is one person taking one small action to make a difference. The Green Meadows Preserve Bluebird Trail is a perfect example of that statement. (You can follow Jim's bluebird adventures here - Green Meadows Bluebird Trail)


Male Eastern Bluebird 

I'm sure most of you have met Jim (he has beds # 34 & 35) at some point when he comes out to Green Meadows to walk his two golden labs Daisy and Abbi, work in the garden and work on the bluebird trail. Jim has helped build the Community Garden from the ground up. He put in over 200 hours of volunteer work before he got his two beds in July of 2012!



Jim pounding in rebar

While Jim was helping to build the garden he noticed bluebirds flying around everywhere. Shortly after that, he and Kathy (his wife) bought a bluebird house to put on the fence to provide a home for the bluebirds. The more he watched the birds and read about them, the more he wanted to help provide nest boxes for them.  Green Meadows Preserve has lots of choice habitat for bluebirds but lacked one essential thing - spots for bluebirds to build a nest.

The Community Garden is lucky enough to have 3 bluebird boxes nearby. Two of the boxes are in the small clearing behind the shed. Lucky, because not only are bluebirds fascinating to watch, but because bluebirds eat lots and lots bugs. In fact, 60-80% of their diet consists of bugs!

Box # 1 is the original box Jim had on the fence. Box # 20 is the

box that Jim and Kathy gave their grandaughter for Christmas.

 

There are 20 nest boxes on the bluebird trail. Jim's human assistants installing the nest boxes have been Kathy and Mike (bed #30). Daisy & Abbi go along as needed.  Four of the nest boxes on the trail were donated by community gardeners - Kitty & Harvey, Jim & Kathy, Vicki & Victor.

Jim showing Avery and her father Jed

the bluebird nest box she got for Christmas.

On the first terrace up from the garden you can see a bluebird feeder and a birdbath that have been installed.  If bluebirds eat insects, why have bird feeders you ask?  They also eat suet, cracked pecan meats, sunflower meats, dried and live mealworms and any live grubs we happen to dig up in the garden. (Denise has donated dried mealworms to feed the bluebirds.)

Jim is going to put a small feeder on the fence so we don't have to leave the garden when we find grubs to feed the bluebirds. Providing more food sources means the bluebirds will stay around, have babies in the nest boxes and eat our pestiferous bugs as well.

Where is the food? Where are those humans that are

bringing the bird seed out? Mike? Jim?

 

Be sure and watch all the activity around the bird feeders and birdbath! There is already lots of action to watch around the 2 boxes near the garden. The males are investigating the houses and trying to get females to accept check them (and the nest boxes).  In another 6 weeks or so they will get serious and start building nests. 

Saturday Weeding Party & Door Prizes

Hey Everyone,
 Don't forget that we are having the Saturday version of the Weeding Party/Workday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Saturday the 26th.

   The main tasks for the Saturday Weeding Party:

•  weeding the two big main paths
•  weeding where the Sunflower/Good Predator Borders are going to go in
•  finish pruning/cutting back the pollinator beds

Be sure and bring your favorite weeding tools and possibly something to kneel or sit on, as the ground is going to be soggy after the rains on Friday. Rain makes it easier to weed but unfortunately much wetter and messier.

I've also been informed that there will be DOOR PRIZES for Saturday as well!

     See you there if you can make it.

              Vicki

Thursday's Weeding Party Accomplishments

Thank you to everyone who came out and worked -we had a great turn out and a lot of fun.

For January you couldn't have asked for better weather. Thank goodness it was sunny because it was very chilly at 10:00 am! Even though we worked hard for two hours there is still lots left to do at the Saturday Weeding Party.

A special Thank You to Dalita for bringing the delicious Bits-o-Brinkle Cookies for us to enjoy which were made with pecans collected at the garden.


The mulch loaders and wheelbarrow pushers

 

Part of the weeding crew

The mulch spreaders

 

These pictures don't show all the action because 2/3rds of the pollinator beds got pruned AND there were 7 more people weeding!

 

 

Door Lock has been Moved!

The lock on the shed door has now been moved.  Be careful when you use it so you don't pinch a finger. There is a piece of nylon cord hanging from the lock - use it to open and close the bar and you won't shed any tears.

Victor Williams moved it down so
all us vertically challenged people can reach it.

 

Spotlight on a Vegetable - Kohlrabi

Hey Everyone,

I do not know if anyone has ever grown Kohlrabi before, but it has to be one of the best kept secrets out there.  This winter it has proven itself as the most pleasant surprise in my garden.  It has the texture of an apple when eaten raw and a flavor that is so unexpected.  I taste a hint of cabbage to it, but the rest I still need to determine.  It is juicy, mildly flavored, and oh so very sweet. 

  

 Purple Vienna Kohlrabi

My understanding is that Kohlrabi is a European delicacy prized by chefs for its versatility in the kitchen.  Let alone the fact that it is low in calories, high in fiber, and a good source of several vitamins and minerals.  It is also a member of the brassica family for those who enjoy eating foods with anti-cancer properties.  While I enjoyed the first of my bulbs raw, grated on some Lolla Bionda greens (specialty Italian Loose-leaf), there are a host of recipes easily found for boiling, braising, roasting, sautéing, steaming, stir-frying, stuffing, and even throwing it on the grill.  Simply impressive!  My next bulbs will be sautéed with carrots in a little olive oil and garlic butter, and then tossed with fresh parsley for a side dish.  I cannot wait to try this, yummy!

The link below is to Renee’s Garden, which always has a wealth of good information.  Renee grew up in the same part of Ohio where I was raised and she has been such an inspiration with her journey to obtain some of the best seeds out there.  She has a wonderful article written on Kohlrabi and a few recipes posted as well. 

http://www.reneesgarden.com/articles/kohlrabi.html - link to Renee's article on Kohlrabi

For any of those wishing to try Kohlrabi as something unique and versatile now would be the time to sow seeds indoors for transplanting into the garden the first part of March.  Purple Vienna has won a place in my garden for years to come and I cannot wait to try some of the other cultivars.

Hope you enjoy as well,

Denise, Beds 25 & 29 

Serious COLD Tues AM & Weds AM

Just a heads up that Tuesday morning the low is going to be 26 and Wednesday morning the low is going to be 24. If you have anything the least bit tender it is most likely going to be hit hard. The extremely heavy frost on Saturday morning did damaged most of the lettuce that was still in the garden and this freeze may finish them off.

You are Invited to a Weeding "Party"

This month, our Community Garden workday is going to concentrate on removing winter weeds and onions that are taking over.  The workday will make the task much more enjoyable since there should be plenty of people to talk to while you are working. And it certainly won't hurt anything if you get distracted and chop through the middle of the weed while you are socializing!

 

We have too many weedy areas like this!

 

There are two "parties" so everyone has a chance to join in the fun.

Thursday
   Jan 24 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Saturday
  Jan 26 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Bring your favorite weeding tools, water and something to sit on in case the ground is still wet.

 

This is what we want the garden to look like!

No Longer Left Behind

I've felt like I was getting left behind but I finally found something I liked to put in my bed. Sue asked me what I was going to name her so I said Posey...one because she has flowers and also because that was the name of the little black puppy we had back in the early '70's.  Now when Caully wants to go visiting she can go visit Posey instead of that rough and tough Rocky over at Denise's.

 

But I think I need to make her a hat as well because even though she does live in a  nice frost cover house it gets really cold up there. 

 Poor Caully had a frozen head Sat morning even

 though she was under the frost cover!

Parsley, Parmesan Cheese & Garlic Fries

Baked French Fries with Parsley, Parmesan Cheese & Garlic

I made this recipe with fresh parsley and garlic from the garden and wow, they were wonderful.  It was so yummy; I felt the need to share!  Originally it appeared in Bon Appetite Magazine and came from the kitchen of Cookin' Canuck.  Sometimes I even change it up a bit and make chips for a party tray that is always a hit!

Ingredients:

4 - 5 medium russet potatoes

3 tablespoons extra light virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

1 - 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced (one large or two small)

Parchment paper required

My Guilty Pleasure!

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Wash and peel potatoes.  Cut into 1/4-inch julienne style strips.  (See my photo above)   Dry the potatoes between paper towels.  

In a large bowl, combine the olive oil and kosher salt.  Add the potatoes and make sure they are coated well.

Divide the potatoes between two baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spreading into a single layer.

Bake until the potatoes are golden brown, about 35 - 40 minutes, turning the potatoes every 10 minutes and rotating the racks halfway through baking time.

Place the cooked potatoes in a large bowl and toss with the garlic, parsley, and Parmesan cheese. Season with additional salt if necessary.

Makes 4 servings

Hope you enjoy!

Denise, Beds 25 & 29  

Pecan Picker Upper at Lowe's

Today I went up to Lowe's on Dallas Hwy to get some basil seed for the garden and to meet Bill to look at tools for the garden. Amazingly enough, I found Lowe's carries the exact same kind of pecan picker upper that I have! (Though they do call it a nut picker upper.) They had 7 or 8 of them for $10.98 which is a good price. They are in the Tool section on the wall, kind of at my eye level.

Now true, pecan season has ended but if you go ahead and get one now, it means you will be on a more equal footing with the other obsessive/compulsive pecan gatherers.  Ahem....I'm not naming names to protect the innocent but we all know who the obsessive/compulsive pecan picker uppers are.  And we all know who started them on the path towards owning their own pecan picker uppers. Ahem.....

 

Here is the link to the one Lowe's has -  Pecan Picker Upper. When you click

on the link you can see it is just like the one I have in this picture.

Frost Cloth at Pike's

Looking at the long range (10 day forecast) there is going to be a serious dip in the temperatures next week.

If anyone is looking for Frost Cloth/Blanket material, the Pike's on Barrett Parkway (near the Lowe's/Home Depot) still had two rolls of the material on Sunday morning. If you want to call before you go - 770-423-1650.

Make Your Own Seed Tape

Pine Tree Seeds sells tape that you use to make your own seed tapes. Just peel back the backing and stick on the seeds.  Seed Tape

Seed tape picture

from Pine Tree Seeds

 

If you want to go the really cheap route and make your own without buying anything special - here is a link to do that from the Instructables website. Be sure to read the comment section as there are many good hints to increase your success. It might be worth trying with some carrot or raddish seeds.  Make-Your-Own-Seed-Tapes

Items need to make a seed tape using the Instructables tutorial

The Garden Betty Blog had a great blog entry on making seed tapes too. Lots of step by step pictures of how to make the seed tapes, what patterns to use, and then how to plant the seed tape. Garden Betty.make-your-own-seed-tape  A nice rainy day like today would be a good day to make experimental seed tapes to use this spring.

 

One of the seed spacings demonstrated by Garden Betty                       

 

What to Plant and When!

Hey Everyone,

Knowing what to plant and whether to start the seeds indoors or direct sow in the garden can sometimes be a challenge.  In looking for some charts to help develop my seed starting skills, I ran across this link and thought many would find it beneficial.

If you scroll down a bit and utilize the link on the page, they even have charts for each month of the year.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/What-to-Plant-Now-Southern-Interior-Gardening-Region.aspx  - link to Mother Earth News

Looks like I am going to be busy, although starting seeds now is always such a joy!  What a nice reminder that spring is just around the corner.  I don't know about you, but for me, gardening tends to be much more fun when it is warm!

Collecting Seed From Broccoli

How would anyone feel about growing certain cultivars specifically to save seed and then setting up a system where we could actually collect and grow our own plants or have a seed exchange among the garden?  Could be a fun party!  Planting or swapping!

Thoughts and opinions?

Denise, Beds 25 & 29

Carrot Top Flower Arrangement

I was cutting off the tops of my carrots the other day when I said this foliage is too nice to throw out. So I stuck it in a blue tea pot. After a couple of days, I decided I'd find some flowers to stick in as well.  Voila...a beautiful arrangement. Next time I'm going to cut off a tiny bit more of the carrot top so it stays in the teapot better.

Even more amazing, 2 weeks after I took this picture, the arrangement is still looking pretty good.

Self Centering Tape Measure

Denise & Rick,
  Here are two pictures of the Self-Centering Tape Measure Vic got me. He says he got mine from Sears but he also saw it yesterday (Sat 12th) at the Ace Hardware Store in the Seven Hills Shopping Center on Cedar Crest Drive in Paulding County. There is a Publix and a Wild Birds Unlimited in that shopping center. But he says he bets you could find it at any Ace since Ace Hardware carries Sears tools.

I can see why a self centering tape measure would be handy! I never knew there was such a thing. Nothing like creating a little tape envy.

 Vicki

Squirrels for Peace

In your dreams buddy!  I owe you big time!

Denise, Beds 25 & 29