Thursday, September 26, 2024

The canopies were removed from all the beds. The group continues to bring young new members. Attendance was at 7 last week and remains strong and steady. The extra hands are making the garden better and greener.

Some unfortunate news for the watermelons. All the seedlings died. Possibly this was due to a combination of transplant shock and hot weather. It would have been best to cover the seedlings directly with shade. Shade was put on top of the cage but it possibly did not protect the seedlings enough. There is a chance that a critter might have eaten the seedlings as well, but the cage should have prevented that. Yet another reason putting shade cloth on top would have saved the seedlings.

All the pvc cages are done. Only thing remaining is to place cleats at the bottom for bed 1.

Bed 6 squash bed now has an overhanging trellis. Let’s hope the vines cover the trellis and provide lots of hanging squash to pick.

Tip! Mini greenhouse jugs are a great way to germinate seeds and start growing seedlings. Join us to learn more.

Task for this Saturday:

1. Review list of task and assign activities

2. Up-pot seedling from mini greenhouse to 3 inch pots

3. Coat benches with linseed oil

4. Plant Calima beans seedlings in children’s ministry box

5. Transplant pepper plants

6. Harvest as needed.

7. Add pvc cage cleats to bed 1

8. Add wood chips to all bed walk ways

Supplies: Water for drinking, gloves, sun lotion, painting brushes and trays, linseed oil, pitch fork, wheel barrow, 3 in pots (5-6), grow trays (5-6), auger drill, drills, hand spades

Friday, September 20, 2024

We did a lesson on mini jug greenhouses. Our members planted Marigolds, Cantaloupe, spinach and onions in the jugs. We lightly watered and taped the jugs. Next week they will be ready for up potting.

We temporarily removed the cage in bed 6. Some work to trellis squash was completed. Old and damaged squash leaves were pruned, along with some weeding. The squash is doing well, however, the lower temperatures slowed the growth. Baby squash is starting to develop.

There was a small harvest of basil, peppers and mint. The garden is slowing becoming productive again. We still have lots of planting to do..

Tip! Want to see what you can grow this fall? See the Planting Chart

Task for this Saturday:

1. Review list of task and assign activities.

2. Planning Fall and Winter

3. Group project mini greenhouse for our next seedings*

4. Remove shade canopies

5. Trim pvc cage in bed 2.

6. Check if bed 6 the squash needs more trellis training.

7. Harvest as needed.

* Red Acre Cabbage (15c), Mammoth Red Rock Cabbage (15c). Spinach (30c), Zucchini (10c) – cold weather, w – warm weather.

Friday, September 13, 2024

Last week we accomplished all goals we had set for ourselves and we received help from some young adult teens. Of course we also couldn’t have done it without our regular group members. We have been working with squash seedlings for the last months. The Butternut and Red Kuri squash is growing well in bed 6 and the teens helped us add more wiring lines to trellis the squash. After that the teens helped with planting Sicilian Cuzuzza squash seedlings in the children’s ministry box. This plant predates the Zucchini in Italy. After planting the seedlings and covering with woodchips they helped with placing a round cage over the squash and covering the cage it with shade cloth. After checking throughout the week the squash in bed 6 and children’s box are doing well. (26 out of 30 are doing well).

Meanwhile, progress is being made with additional pvc cages. These cages are working better than the round plain cages we made. Part of why bed 6 is doing so well is the pvc cage (cage 1) that we started using recently. Work is being done to complete pvc cages 2 and 3. We are experimenting with cleats at the bottom of the cages to help with stability. They also are to prevent gaps between the bed boarder and the cage. The cleats are still too wide apart so some rework is needed to make it grab the caging better. Last weekend we were installing the mesh for the cages using zip ties, but we ran out so we couldn’t finish cage 2.

During the week we worked on cage 1 to remove excess meshing that was interfering with the bungy cords. Also, the cages pvc connections were becoming undone so screws were inserted at the connections for greater structural soundness. Cage 3 was also assembled.

Tip! When planting seedlings during hot weather, it's best to plant in the evenings. Also, it's a good idea to cover plants, especially new seedlings with shade cloths until cooler weather arrives. See the Planting Chart for what you can plant right now in our climate zone.

Task for this Saturday:

1. Review list of task and assign activities.

2. Provide a lesson and have group members complete mini greenhouse for our next seedlings*

3. Finish mesh on pvc cage 2 and start mesh on pvc 3.

4. Check if bed 6 the squash needs more trellis training.

5. Harvest peppers, basil, tomatoes….

* Bunching onions (60c), Marigolds (36w), Chives (60c), Spinach (60c), Broccoli (25c), Cantaloupe (15w), Cucumber (25w) Red Acre Cabbage (25c), Mammoth Red Rock Cabbage (25c). c – cold weather, w – warm weather.