Friday, June 30, 2017

Dear Gardeners,

Happy 4th of July weekend everyone!  What an amazing Community Garden we have!  The warm weather and all of the rain have been really great for our plants.  I have heard so many positive comments from visitors on what a beautiful, healthy garden we have.   I hope you all are enjoying the time you are spending in the garden.  I know I am! 

Are you growing eggplants?  Do the leaves on your eggplants look like lace?  This is probably the work of flea beetles.  Check this week's e-mail for ideas on combating this pest.   I will be demonstrating the use of yellow sticky paper in the lasagne plot.  This paper is available at Red's Garden Center in Northbrook for 99 cents a page.   You have to ask for the sticky paper at the desk at Red's.  They have it in the back.

Don't forget to read the following garden reminders and tips below.

*FARMER'S MARKET- Come visit me this Saturday at the Green Table at the Farmer's Market.  The theme for this week is recycling.  I will be planting seeds in recycled toilet paper tube pots with the kids who visit my booth.

*MILK FUNGICIDE- Due to the fact that I will be at the Farmer's Market, a volunteer will be bringing out the milk fungicide for us.  Please BRING YOUR OWN SPRAY BOTTLE and help yourself!  Remember, the milk fungicide is to prevent powdery mildew.

*GARDEN VISITORS- It is the policy of the Glenview Park District to welcome visitors to walk around the garden.  The majority of our visitors are respectful of our garden and really appreciate seeing all of your plots.  There are a few visitors who think the garden is "hands-on" and try to water, dig, or pick from a plot.  If you do see this going on, you have my permission to please ask them kindly not to do this.  You can also send me an e-mail or tell another staff member at the farm that this is going on.  Thanks for your help with this!

*WATERING CANS- I encourage you to bring your own watering can to leave in your plot.  Many of the ones I purchased are already broken.

*WAGONS- We no longer have wagons at the Community Garden.  We just borrowed them for the first few weeks.  

*GARDEN TALK BY JOHN BROSSARD- A big thank you to John Brossard for sharing all his wonderful garden tips and tricks.  The talk was well attended and we all learned some new things!

*WEEDS- Please be a good community garden member and don't forget to come by and weed your plot!  Weed warnings have already been given and will continue to be given on a weekly basis.

*T-SHIRTS- Don't forget- the Community Garden t-shirts are here!  You can pick up your t-shirt at the front desk of the Heritage Center (where the gift shop is).

*SEED EXCHANGE-There is a basket of seeds at the front desk in the Heritage Center.  Feel free to come and take some seeds and leave seeds you will not be using!

 Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Alyssa Tadelman
Community Garden Plot Coordinator
Historic Wagner Farm

Friday, June 23, 2017

Dear Gardeners,

Please welcome our NEW Community Gardeners, Anna Grzymkowski (plot #47) and Derek Dwyer (plot #85).  They recently took over plots that were relinquished.  Come by and say "hi" to them when you are at the garden.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone at John Brossard's Talk.  Join us at 9:30 in the Heritage Center Classroom.  RSVP to me if you have not already done so.  For more information on this talk, see the section below.

This Saturday is the first day of the Farmer's Market.  Come by between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. for some amazing produce!  Parking will be challenging during these hours.  Please park at the greek church.

Please see the following reminders below:

*WAGONS- We no longer have wagons at the Community Garden.  We just borrowed them for the first few weeks. 
 
*GARDEN TALK BY JOHN BROSSARD- Please join me this Saturday, June 24, from 9:30 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. for an informative garden talk by our own community gardener, John Brossard.  John is a long-time member of the Wagner Farm Community Garden and the original Heirloom Garden.  The theme of John's talk is WEED, WATER, and AIR. Some of the topics John will be discussing include: maximizing your garden for a second crop, tips for sowing beets, onions and beans, the secret to growing eggplants, how to support and prune your tomato plants, tips for using neem oil and powder on your cucumbers, and soil additives for summer.

The talk will be held in the classrooms in the Heritage Center at Wagner Farm.  This class is open to Community Gardeners, Wagner Farm Staff, and Wagner Farm volunteers.  Please RSVP to Alyssa if you are planning to attend.

*WEEDS- Please be a good community garden member and don't forget to come by and weed your plot!  Weed warnings will be given on a weekly basis.

*T-SHIRTS- Don't forget- the Community Garden t-shirts are here!  You can pick up your t-shirt at the front desk of the Heritage Center (where the gift shop is).
*SEED EXCHANGE-There is a basket of seeds at the front desk in the Heritage Center.  Feel free to come and take some seeds and leave seeds you will not be using!
If you have any questions about your garden, please feel free to contact me.
Happy Gardening!
Alyssa Tadelman
Community Garden Plot Coordinator
Historic Wagner Farm

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Dear Gardeners,  

Please join me this Saturday, June 24, from 9:30 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. for an informative garden talk by our own community gardener, John Brossard.  John is a long-time member of the Wagner Farm Community Garden and the original Heirloom Garden.  The theme of John's talk is WEED, WATER, and AIR. Some of the topics John will be discussing include: maximizing your garden for a second crop, tips for sowing beets, onions and beans, the secret to growing eggplants, how to support and prune your tomato plants, tips for using neem oil and powder on your cucumbers, and soil additives for summer.

The talk will be held in the classrooms in the Heritage Center at Wagner Farm.  This class is open to Community Gardeners, Wagner Farm Staff, and Wagner Farm volunteers.  Please RSVP to Alyssa if you are planning to attend.

Happy Gardening!

Alyssa Tadelman
Wagner Farm Community Garden Coordinator

Friday, June 9, 2017

Dear Gardeners,

This hot weather is definitely helping our wonderful gardens grow.  Everyone's plants looks amazing!  Please see the following important reminders about the garden:

*IMPORTANT- On Saturday, June 10, we will be having the Dairy Breakfast at the farm.  This is a paid event.  If you are coming to the Community Garden this Saturday, we are asking that you DO NOT WALK THROUGH THE FARM GROUNDS.  Please walk NORTH along the sidewalk and enter by the circular drive.  Thank you!

*IMPORTANT- Please dispose of garbage in the garbage containers provided.  The plastic compost bins (located on the outside of the Community Garden fence) is for WEEDS ONLY!  We have found many plastic plant containers, gloves, and even a bucket in them.  The compost is dumped in the cow pasture.  Garbage in the compost bins is dangerous for our cows.

*TOOLS and WATERING CANS- Only use ONE of our watering cans at a time if there are other gardeners at the farm.  Let's all share!  If you need more than one, bring your own.

*DAIRY BREAKFAST- Join us for the annual Wagner Farm Dairy Breakfast this Saturday, June 10 from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 2-10.   The breakfast is sponsored by Egg Harbor CafĂ© of Glenview and will feature dairy demonstrations and contests, wagon rides, farmhouse tours, crafts, and more!  The Livestock Show is sponsored by Potash Corporation and will feature visiting 4H clubs showing their farm livestock while competing for the top prizes and ribbons!  Ice cream and other cool treats will also be available for purchase in the Sweets & Treats Ice Cream Parlor from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (located inside the Heritage Center on the west side of the building). 

*T-SHIRTS- The Community Garden t-shirts are here!  You can pick up your t-shirt at the front desk of the Heritage Center (where the gift shop is).

*SEED EXCHANGE-There is a basket of seeds at the front desk in the Heritage Center.  Feel free to come and take some seeds and leave seeds you will not be using!

*STRAW- Please make sure your straw is INSIDE your plot.  We need all straw off the walkways so the mower can get through.  Rake any straw that has blown into the grass back into your plot.  If you do not want your straw, please put it in one of the straw walkways.

If you have any questions about your garden, please feel free to contact me.

Happy Gardening!
Alyssa Tadelman