Garden Meeting Notes: Feb 15, 2025
St Davids Foundation Community Garden Admin Account
Garden Meeting Notes: Feb 15, 2025
Attendees
Corey, Edward Kiri, Deb, Arianna, Billy, Cody, Scott, Reneee, Marcelline, Liz, Joelle, Sam, Randy, Bob, Madeline
Opening discussions:
Gardeners shared what's happening in their plots as spring approaches. There was a mix of winter wins and losses - some folks lost plants to the freeze while others had success with cool-weather crops like Chinese broccoli and saffron. Plans for tomatoes. Purple henbit "weeds" are actually edible and good for early pollinators in the spring!
Agenda Topics
Book Club Initiative
Deb presented 5-6 book options
Proposed bi-monthly meeting schedule
Venue suggestion: Casa De Luz
Additional Considerations: :
Share library links for book access
Create book donation/sharing system
Deb to post options on Discord
Check with Casa De Luz as potential meeting location
Guest Speakers in Future Meetings
Potential speakers identified:
Joelle's contact (city worker)
Expert on beneficial insects
Liz Cardinal is if she would like to return as speaker
Monarch butterfly specialist
Focus on educational topics for garden community
If anyone knows others that would like speak
Amplify Austin Fundraising
Campaign goal: $5,000
Priority projects:
Community pavilion restoration
Adding benches
Maintaining gardening equipment
Matching opportunity: Alton Prep Foundation will match Amazon Smile donations up to $3,500
Ariana created draft promotional materials
Action items:
Edit campaign language to include matching information
Distribute content through website, social media, and email
Order promotional signs with mission statement
Events and Outreach
Garden Birthday Party still in the works for future
Garden workday coincides with It's My Park Day
Not an official park day event
Will welcome Red Line Parkway volunteers
Orchard Updates
Orchard one-year anniversary celebrated Feb 3
Sam attending a tree card training today
Cold Weather Preparations
Contrary to the notice that Corey sent out, we are still going to have more freezing weather this week.
Water will be turned off Tue - Fri based on current forecast
Watch for updates on Discord
Committee Updates
Compost, Trash, and Recycling (Lead: Billy)
Ordering a new sign for the compost - will help direct people on what to place in the compost
Outreach & Communication (Lead: Ariana)
See discussion above on Amplify and other events.
Thanks Ariana for all the work on the copy in the Amplify Austin Campaign Document
Shed & Inventory
Recently Purchased Items:
3 Electric Weed Wackers
2 Orchard Trimmers
Mulch Transport Sleds
Replacement Watering Wands (inventory check pending)
Please keep the shed tidy!
Pollinator Gardens
Jeremy shared some plans for work in the pollinator plots
Texan by Nature offers a grant for signage, Deb is looking into this
Missy and Deb are working on the pocket prairie
Garden Maintenance Updates
Water system:
New tank installed by shed
Ongoing repairs needed for leaking pavilion tanks
Water schedule: Tuesday evening to Friday
Infrastructure:
Broken gate latch needs repair
Shed loft closure issues reported
Action items:
Investigate tank liner as repair option
Plan gate latch repair with soldering equipment
Clear weeds within three feet of paths (All gardeners)
Important Upcoming Dates
Next Garden Meeting: March 18 (RSVP Link)
Final indoor meeting of the season
Next Volunteer Day: March 1