Folks,

A couple of announcements and updates:

1. The next WCG workday is Saturday, 01 June.  Our primary goal is path maintenance.  If you are bringing cardboard to the garden, three requests: (1) we only need larger pieces of cardboard like appliance, mattress, or TV boxes, (2) if possible, please strip off labels and tape before bringing to the garden, and (3) cardboard needs to be dropped off/stored up at the cisterns (not at the 'carport').    

2. Please harvest your summer crops as soon as they are ready.  Do not leave/discard crops in your plot.  They attract mice/rats, which can spread a variety of diseases.

3. The apiary is up/running, which means there may be more bees/pollinators around the garden.  If this is an allergy issue for you, please be aware.

4. The deadline to plant your garden plot was 01 May, please move forward with your planting if you haven't already.  Failure to plant your plot may result in non-renewal.

5. You, and your plot-mates, are responsible for the pathways around your plot.  Please take some time with each visit to your plot to weed, cover and chip your pathways.

See you all on Saturday, 01 June - it will be a good opportunity to knock out some of your 10 volunteer hours.

PS. Please do not bring/drop off tools, equipment, or materials without checking first with me.  

Cheers.

Chip

A Thousand Thank You's 

I offer that to all of you for helping to pull off a successful Farm Day 2024.

With Joseph preparing the site, Greta linking us to W&M resources, the county stepping up for services, the Board being present and engaged, our community partners participating, community gardeners filling in so many ways-especially the beautiful Partners Path (not to mention their own plots which look amazing), musicians, a caterer with great food for sale and free fresh produce dishes and recipes with our very own fresh local produce, yet another successful plant sale, a well received early season pop up farm stand, the inspiring garden workshop (which Justin has agreed to continue through the summer!), our tee shirt sponsors Chesapeake Bank and A Logo For You...the list goes on. At the risk of forgetting something or someone, I will simply say thank you. Our farm is a tremendous community platform for good.

-Pam 

Animal Waste 

Dogs have been allowed to be in the garden as long as they are confined on a 6-foot leash. That implies that the owners are in control of the actions of their animals. How is it possible that dogs have been allowed to defecate without the owners cleaning up on not 1, not 2, but on 3 occasions recently?

Come on, people! We all love your dogs, but please be responsible! The alternative is implementing a total ban on dogs in the garden. Or Flying Monkeys?

Slugs and snails do not like to crawl over DE because the silica skeletons are VERY sharp-like tiny pieces of broken glass. (Slugs and snail's don't like eggshells, either). If their soft bodies do get cut, they eventually dehydrate and die. This process works on other soft-bodied insects too! Insects include caterpillars, aphids, beetles, fleas, cockroaches and even bed bugs! The tiny particles of DE get into the insects' joints, causing irritation and dehydration!

Our summer workshop series are BACK!  

When: First Saturday of every month, immediately following the work party, at 10am. They are open to the public so tell your friends!

Where: Williamsburg Community Garden

Our first workshop, "All Things Tomatoes"  is scheduled for June 1st at 10AM

Plant facts, growing techniques, pruning, pest and disease management, harvesting considerations will be discussed! Plenty of time for Q&A. Bring your tomato starts and let's get learning! 

The Colorado Potato beetle (CPB) has made its appearance in our garden. Though they are the most damaging to potato crops, they are also found on tomato and eggplant crops. This insect typically has two generations per year. Adults spend the winter in the soil or under crop residues and other organic debris. Adults become active in the spring (around May) and begin laying clusters of yellowish orange eggs on the undersides of leaves. After the eggs hatch, larvae feed for approximately two to four weeks before dropping to the ground to pupate in the soil. New adults typically emerge from the soil one week later to continue the next generation.

If practiced on a regular basis, hand removal can be an effective method for controlling Colorado potato beetle in small plantings. The larvae and adults can be removed and placed in a container filled with water and a few drops of dish soap. The dish soap breaks the water’s surface tension so the insects sink into the water and drown rather than escape. Or, if you have your gloves on, "squooshing" them is effective, too. Make sure to look on the undersides of leaves for the yellow egg masses. Smearing them will help to control the population down the road.