Dear Gardeners,

Have you been wondering what the fenced structure in the Sensational Salad plot (plot #73) is?  It is called a Japanese Tomato Ring.  Surprisingly, it is not a gardening practice that comes from Japanese culture.  It was developed by a gardeners from South Carolina in the 1950’s.  At one point, the gardening technique was written up in “The Miami Herald”.  The author incorrectly named it the Japanese Tomato Ring in the article.  Although the name was wrong, it caught on.

The ring can be made from a heavy wire fencing that is about 4-6 ft. high.  Bend the wire into a ring.  Attach the ring to 4 metal posts with wire or ties.  Fill the ring with layers of compost, organic grass clippings, organic fertilizer, liming agent, and garden soil.  Plant tomatoes around the ring.  You can tie them to the stakes as they grow.  The Japanese Tomato Ring is supposed to grow the sweetest tomatoes.

                

                 

We also have a 6 varieties of basil growing around the Japanese Tomato Ring.  Basil is a great companion to tomatoes.  It is a natural deterrent for white flies, mosquitoes, tomato hornworms, aphids, houseflies, and asparagus beetles.  Basil is also thought to improve the flavor of your tomatoes if planted nearby.  Come by and check out the Sensational Salad Plot next time you are in the garden!

*CSA Memberships- We still have CSA Memberships available! NSSED and Wagner Farm are joining forces to offer CSA shares at Wagner Farm. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. As a CSA member, you will receive a bushel basket filled with produce grown at Wagner Farm for 16 weeks starting the 3rd week of June and ending at the beginning of October. Shares are $400 for the season. Baskets are filled by student farmers, volunteers and staff for Tuesday or Friday pickups 3:00pm-5:00pm. To purchase a share visit Wagner Farm gift store in person.

*WEEDS in the GARDEN- with all the rain we have had, the weeds are growing fast!  Please come by and weed your garden while the weeds are small.  It is easiest to weed when the soil is moist.

*GLENVIEW FARMER'S MARKET- begins THIS Saturday,  June 22 from 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.  Come early for fresh eggs.  Stop by the Wagner Farm Studebaker Truck to buy rainbow chard, garlic scapes, mixed greens, and spinach all grown in our Wagner Farm Fields!  Parking will be difficult!  Please park in the Greek Church lot.

*TERRIFIC TOMATOES- Registration is open for our Terrific Tomatoes gardening class.  Learn the various growing methods for successfully producing this very popular “vegetable”.  Tomato varieties, planting, staking, fertilizing, pruning, and more will be covered.  6/25/19- 6:30-8:00 pm.  $15 residents/$18 nonresidents.

Register online at www.glenviewparks.org.

*LENDING LIBRARY-Our lending library has been installed by the South entrance to the garden.  Come by and help yourself to a good book!  Bring a book to share if you’d like.

*GLENVIEW GARDENERS PLANT SALE- The Glenview Gardeners will be having a plant sale at the Farmer’s Market on June 22, 8:00 am- 12:00 pm.  Plants from members’ gardens will be sold and gardening tips will be provided.

Happy Gardening!

Alyssa