Garden meeting notes from 3-22-12

[Flo@the garden]

Attached are the garden meeting notes. I'm also pasting them into this message in case you can't open the file.

3/22/12 Community Garden Meeting notes

(Note: This is not a chronological account of the meeting.  People went back and forth, but I organized by who said what so you know whom to ask if you have a question.  I was not an official note taker, so this is just what I heard; I will be happy to correct any errors.)

 

Randy:

·      There will be ¼ acre of strawberries.  You can get a row, but have to transplant and weed.  Also, email Susan Hutchinson, the new garden coordinator, if you want one  + she will mark the rows.

·      There will also be raspberries: need to transplant and maintain.  If interested, email Susan.

·      Grapes: have about 30 plants now, Concord and ?

·      He has samples of broad beans to plant asap.

·      Has leaf mold at the Farm 2 years old, ok to use as mulch against weeds.

·      Praised the benefits of compost to screen heavy metals in soil. (Did not cite source of info)

·      Says there will be an “adopt a row” for corn by the cemetery.  They provide seed and plant it, you weed and water and pay $20 for the water tape (?), and 20% of the corn to the food bank.

·      He also asked if anyone wants a row of bush beans or potatoes.

·      He has a slide show of the garden going and asks for pics to be emailed to Ed.

 

Ed:

·      Master Gardener Plant Sale April 28-29 at the WSU Extension Ctr in Puyallup (Pioneer and Fruitland)

·      Ed wants everyone’s email.  He says they will no longer be calling people, so if you don’t have email, look on the bulletin boards.

·      Will be starting work parties at the Farm to move compost, cut blackberries, etc.  He wants it cleaned up for some visitors who provided funding.

·      Said he had 200 lbs of strawberries last year.  At first he said the strawberries were everbearing, but was corrected by someone to say that they are June bearing.  Question re length of rows (40 ft? 50? 60?), but you can take part of one.

 

Don:

·      He will be doing beans at both locations again, and peas at the farm.

·      He says we will be getting some composted horse manure, and that the wooden box at Shepherd’s Field has compost we can use now. 

·      He has pea seeds anyone can ask for

 

 

Bruce:

·      Has time right now.

·      Dennis and John cleaned out the shed at SF….THANK YOU!!!!

·      Wants to clean up garden as soon as possible.  Please take out big weeds, and rototilling can be done later when it’s drier.

·      Go ahead and take some compost now (share) to make room for more.

·      Wants fine river sand to add to soil.  (Editor’s note:  please read this short article from WSU to see why this is NOT a good idea in our case.) http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~linda%20chalker-scott/horticultural%20myths_files/Myths/Amendments%202.pdf

·      He wants to meet with new members in person. 

·      Renew plots asap!!!  Applications available on city website, print out, and mail in or put in night box at City Hall.

·      His phone number is 863-8125.

·      Water shutoff by building.  Be sure to tell Don or Bruce if there’s a leak and/or you need to shut water off.  The Farm has different sections (ask Randy)

·      Honey bucket will be April 1^st.

 

Nancy:

·      The children’s play area belongs to the preschool, and is ok to use, but stuff has been broken and garbage left there, so watch kids and be sure they treat stuff well.  Also, make sure sandbox is covered when kids finish playing.

·      Chicken coop is open for new members.

 

Susan:

·      If you didn’t get an email from her, let her know.

 

John asked if we’d be getting a map for the garden like the Farm and Bruce said he’d work on it.