Hello Gardeners - - - 

The cypress tree is planted and staked in the back of the garden. Had to find a nice spot that didn't interfere with the fruit trees. We were able to keep the succulents intact around the base when we planted it. It is quite stately.   Please give it a water when you can.  

The Jade plant is sitting on a chair by the shed with its canopy supported by the back of the chair. Any gardener that is so inclined - please find a nice spot to plant this jade. Also please give it a water when you can.

Our garden is beginning to look very lush and it's only spring. Everyone's plots are looking good and the smell of fresh manure was delightful last evening.

Hello Gardeners - - - 

A "friend" of our Garden, Sylvia, called me to pick up several plants she wanted to donate to our garden. One is an Italian Cypress tree (about 16 ft), a mass of succulents in the same pot as the tree, and a rather large top-heavy jade plant. THANK YOU Sylvia. 

I got them to my house and plan to meet up with a friend tomorrow (Sunday) evening to unload them at the garden. I think the Cypress will look nice in the back among the fruit trees. I will leave the jade plant and other succulents by the shed for any one of you to find a spot to plant them.

The warm weather is upon us with no rain in sight. So please adjust your watering accordingly. 

The warm (hot) weather is upon us for a few days at least. The rain that is expected mid-week will be helpful. Because some of you have planted for the warm season already, please make sure you are watering every day. You might even want to come by and do supplemental hand-watering. This will go a long way towards your seeds growing and your seedlings getting rooted. 

NOTE: Our gate was wide open today. Please make sure that when you close the combo lock, you hold it closed and flip the numbers in secure the lock. If not, then it will fall open. 

NOTE:  I really appreciate everyone taking the time to weed their plots and the pathways. Please place the green waste in the green trash containers. The black containers are for trash. If there is an excess of green waste that our 2 containers will not hold, please leave in a pile by the waste containers. Some of us with pick-ups can take the excess to the PCC dumpster. 

Happy Earth Day. Mary

Hello Gardeners - - - 

The rain and cool temps are behind us and the warm weather is upon us - at least for this week :-) That means your veggies will bolt and go to seed if not tended to quickly.

I was at our Garden this morning and saw broccoli and lettuces VERY ready to be picked. Brussel sprouts that were planted late are unlikely to yield sprouts. If you have an artichoke plant that is several years old and is not bearing artichokes this season, it has probably outlived itself. You might try pruning way back and see what happens. I contacted several gardeners who are not harvesting their crops. If they have not been picked in the next few days, I will pick them and give them to those who are in need. It's better than wasting the nutritious produce.

This month and next are the best months to plant warm season veggies to get the most out of them thru the summer and early fall. 

How about our fruit trees !!! Doing mighty fine. Our apricot tree seems to have taken off !!! I am awaiting the second apple tree and will plant it as soon as my friend delivers one to me. Looks like we will have a huge crop of grapes this year. And don't worry about the plum tree in the front. It had some issues last year, I pruned it  way back several months ago so it might not bear fruit for this year. 

Finally, since our rain last week, the weeds are starting to grow. Please take a little time, just 15 minutes, and let's keep them under control.

Mary  P.S. You haven't heard from me on chickens because although many of you are happy to help, no one or two people stepped up to take responsibility. No worries. It is a task that requires that special dedication. There is no deadline on this project (lol).

Hello Gardeners - - - 

Hello Gardener - - - Here are some photos from our tree planting this weekend. We couldn't have timed it better with the rain from yesterday. Evelyn and I are taking the responsibility to water the trees because we want them to grow deep root systems. Mary

Hello Gardeners  - - - 

Thanks to the 8 gardeners who came out this afternoon to help plant 6 fruit trees in the back of the garden. Evelyn and I will be responsible for watering the trees. So we ask the other gardeners NOT to water them. They require a deep watering every 10-14 days during the winter and once a week during the summer. We will stop watering when fall arrives and monitor them. They should do well, requiring water only occasionally. That's what we did with the trees in the front and they are doing great.

You will notice one hole dug that is awaiting the arrival of a 2nd apple tree. 

Also, thanks to Carol and Evelyn for cleaning up the internal fenced area in the NW section of the garden. If we get the okay from our landlords, we hope to raise egg-laying chickens in that area.