Keys to Garden
soulm...@nyc.rr.com
Yesterday we met with Gail for the Garden meeting. There were only
three of us there, so not much was really discussed. However we did
discuss the use of the Garden and the keys that are given out.
We (the three of us there) had discussed with Gail that we didn't
think it was a good thing that only a few people actually have keys.
We believed that everyone who has been a member in good standing with
the Garden group should be able to have a key, and access the garden.
This being that some of us who do not have keys have to rely on those
who do, and it's not guaranteed that we will be getting access. Key
issues are being addressed for us from Gail to Angie.
The other thing we discussed is the sage in the front of the Garden.
It's starting to choke off the other plants there that don't have a
deep root structure. And it's not sage that can be consumed. It's
really there for scent. But being that sage is in the mint family,
Gail was told that it will continue to spread and choke off other
plants unless it's removed.
We didn't have enough people there to set a new meeting date, so Angie
will probably set the next meeting.
Hope all is well, and speak to you all soon.
Matt
Mark Levine
surrounding blocks that they can download the cardholder agreement
from the Yahoo Group page? If so I (and I'm sure others as well) can
forward around the link.
- Mark Levine
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mark Levine
Democratic District Leader, 71st AD, Part A (Northern Manhattan)
www.MarkDLevine.com
(917)553-3548
MarkDLe...@yahoo.com
Matthew Stockmyer
The thing with the keys is that for people (like my wife and I) volunteer in
the Garden, and I don't think it would really be proper to just give out
keys unless the folks that we have been giving the keys to are really going
to stick with it (volunteering wise). This way, we can keep track of who
has the keys, etc....
There are people who don't have keys and volunteer sitting in the Garden,
which keeps the gates open, so the people in the community can enjoy it.
The Garden has to stay open for a minimum of 10 hours a week, however it's
not limited to those on just 150th Street. People from all over are more
than welcome to come by, and sign up to volunteer, however, even though
there are keys going out, I don't know how the current Group feels about
each person who signs up getting a key unless they intend on volunteering in
the Garden.
I think it would be great to get more people from the surrounding blocks
involved! We had another subject come up with Gail that I forgot to mention
in my previous post. I think the timing was off with this particular
subject, but starting late next spring, I would really like to have some
kind of "butterfly project" to raise, feed and when they are mature and
ready, to release them into the area.
I have all of the information for the 5 species of butterfly that are
available to buy / ship (there are many more species in the downstate area,
however only 5 can be raised / transported, according the the butterfly farm
that I'm in contact with). They are all beautiful, a fairly good size, and
hearty species. (I did this particular project many years ago) A couple of
screen boxes are built, and the eggs from whichever species the group
decides are purchased. The eggs are shipped to us, along with a little bit
of food. After the caterpillars hatch, they are going to be really hungry,
and they eat a lot! Their feces is a great fertilizer (another green idea)
and it doesn't take long for them to turn to crysali. After they emerge, it
takes about a day or two for them to get strong enough to carry themselves
in the wind, and they are then ready to be released! I thought this was a
great idea to help teach school kids various things about the butterflies,
and when they are released, it is very beautiful!
Maybe there is some kind of funding to help with things like this? Granted,
it's not really that expensive to buy them, but to make sure the food supply
is kept up can be up there - depending on how many little caterpillars are
being fed...
I would love to hear from others regarding this, as there are a lot of
different things that can be done here that won't take up too much space (as
space is definitely limited in the garden).
I hope this answers your questions, Mr. Levine, and I look forward to
hearing from you again soon.
Matt