February 2023


Barbara's Garden Notes

Happy February!


Spring is just around the corner, and we are excited for the growing season ahead! Here are some important dates/notes to remember:

Save the date!

Cold-season plant sale is on Saturday, March 4 at the Garden from 9-11. 

                                                                                                Items on sale for $3 per pack are:

                                                                                            Lettuce  and Greens

                                                                         Freckles                           Collards

                                                                         Butterhead blend           Chard

                                                                         Drunken Woman                   Kale

                                                                         Gourmet Blend                     Merlot

                                                                         Red Sails

                                                                      Broccoli Packman will also be available.                                                                                                    

Water: 


The water will be turned on around the first of April or as soon as weather permits. We don’t want frozen lines!

Garden Plot Prep:


Tillers:  We currently have a small and a large tiller. The small one, stored under the sun panels at the greenhouse, is being fussy this spring – it is ONLY 30+ years old – and if we cannot fix it, we will replace it. The large tiller is stored in the white shed. If you would like to use it, let me know (Barbara@growwilliamsburg.org) and I can arrange to come down, get it out for you, and show you how to use it.


A reminder that the advice we received from our friend and Organic Farmer Justin Diaz, of Mockingbird Farmstead for starting up your garden is to mix in 3 things: compost, balanced organic fertilizer (like, 10-10-10 or 12-12-12), and a source of nitrogen (he recommended alfalfa pellets, a feed for horses that can be found at Tractor Supply).


Saturday Morning Farm Stand:


The Board of Directors has decided to take a hiatus this season from operating the Farm Stand on Saturday mornings. It is To Be Determined if there will be a way for Community Gardeners to buy produce from the Farm. It looks like we will have a subscription CSA (consumer supported agriculture) program in the fall where you can pay a fee and get a bag of veggies every week. Watch for details.


Thank you and Welcome to the Garden: 


Many thanks to those who were prompt in getting their paperwork and payments submitted! We have offered 12 new gardeners plots in our Garden for 2023. They will have orientation on Saturday, February 25th from 10-11. Feel free to come out and welcome them and make them feel at home.


               

What's Growin' On!

Winter Sowing Progress

Stephanie's Winter Sowing Progress. A combination of native perennials, annuals, vegetables, and herbs sleeping until spring

Fresh mulch for the berry beds!

Volunteer Round-Up! 


Hey Community Gardeners!


Would you like to get more involved with WCG? 


We're looking for folks who would like to join the Volunteer Coordination Team and lead the occasional Saturday morning or Tuesday evening volunteer group. 


If you're interested in learning more, please contact Liz Callan, Volunteer Coordinator, at liz@growwilliamsburg.org or 757-604-7773




Maximizing Space for High Yields


Want to grow the most produce possible and maximize your space? You can use raised bed, vertical garden, interplanting, spacing, and succession planting methods. 

Planning a high-yielding intensive garden requires some time and thought, but now is a great time to do it. Here's how!

https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-335/426-335.html



Monthly Smiles

So my community garden neighbor sees me kneeling down, planting away and asks what I'm doing.

"I'm putting all my plants in alphabetical order."

"Really?! I don't know how you find the time!"

"It's right next to the sage!"


Garden Season 2023

 With the end of February near, Spring is just around the corner! Longer days, warmer temperatures, and more time spent in the garden will surely bring smiles to all. New friendships, new knowledge, and lots of new delectable growth! Be on the lookout for new pictures, updates, and our new monthly "Plotlight" in the coming months!


Would you like to contribute to the monthly blog? Have some advice, pictures, articles for our community growers?!? If so, please send to Barbara for submission! 

 We look forward to seeing you at the garden soon!