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

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 Café 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

Dear Gardeners,

I think we had a very successful opening weekend in the Community Garden.  Many gardeners came out despite the weather to start preparing and planting in their plots.  

*STRAW- Please make sure you secure your straw!  Straw has been blowing on other people's plots.  When you spread your straw, please spread it carefully and then secure it with U shaped landscaping clips or wet it down.  Keep all your extra straw in your plot.  If you have any extra straw you do not want, please spread it on a nearby straw walkway.

*PLOT EDGE-You must leave a 1 foot border all the way around your plot when you are planting.  Leave at least 18" or more if you are planting large plants such as tomatillos.  I have had to send out reminders to several gardeners to move plants in because they have planted too close to their plot edge.

*SOIL TEMPERATURE- The soil temperature in the Community Garden is currently only 56º.   You can plant tomatoes and peppers when the soil temp is 60º, and nighttime temperatures are above 50º, and your plants have been hardened off.  It is recommended that you plant cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons, etc.) when the soil temp is 70º or warmer.  Chalet Garden Center posts the soil temp in Glenview on their website.  See the attached screenshot of directions on how to find it on their website (Thank you gardener, Barbara Coughlin for sharing this!)

*WAGONS- Wagons will be available on Saturday and Sunday.  You may borrow a wagon to carry things from your car to your plot.

  

*TOOLS and WATERING CANS-Please bring your own tools.  I have purchased 5 green watering cans.  They are in the wooden storage boxes.  Feel free to use them.

*RED'S GARDENING CENTER- I have attached a list of gardening events going on in the month of June at Red's Gardening Center.

*Rain and Irrigation- Check the calendar on the bulletin board to find out how much rain we have had.  You can also check out blog at: http://wfcg.blogspot.com

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me.

Happy Gardening!

Alyssa

Dear Gardeners,

Please read the following last minute reminders below. 

*PLOT STAKES-When you arrive, DO NOT MOVE the stakes surrounding your plot in any way.  If you have a question about how they are placed, please contact me.  

*SOIL TEMPERATURE- The soil temperature today in the Community Garden is only 50º.  Plants such as tomatoes, corn, cantaloupe, cucumbers, peppers, pumpkins, squash and watermelons require a soil temperature of 60º or more.  PLANT AT YOUR OWN RISK!  Plants such as cabbage, onions, peas, celery, and broccoli can be safely planted in this soil temperature.

*STRAW- Most of the 1/2 bales of straw were delivered and the remainder will be delivered tomorrow.  Please bring a scissors to cut the string on your straw.  Throw strings in the trash or bring them home with you.  A BIG thank you to our fellow gardeners, Stacey  and Mel, who helped me deliver the straw.

*WAGON RIDES-There are wagon rides scheduled this weekend.  Therefore, you will not be able to enter the circular drive on Saturday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and on Sun. from 3:45-4:40 p.m.  At those times, the circular drive will be blocked off.  A volunteer will be there so that you can check out a wagon and drop off your gardening supplies there.

*PLOT EDGE-Leave a 1 foot edge around your plot when planting.  Leave at least 18" or more if you are planting large plants such as tomatillos.

*TOOLS and WATERING CANS-Please bring your own tools.  I have purchased 5 new, green watering cans.  They are in the wooden storage boxes.  Feel free to use them.

Happy Gardening!

Alyssa

Dear Gardeners, 

The day is finally here!!! Opening Day!  The garden will be open this Saturday, May 20 at 6:00 a.m.  Join me on Saturday and Sunday for cookies, lemonade, and gardening fun (snacks will be inside if it's raining).  Please see the following IMPORTANT reminders below:

*FINDING YOUR PLOT-When you are facing West and facing the numbers on the stakes, YOUR PLOT WILL BE TO THE RIGHT of your stake.  I have attached a plot map and a diagram of how to find your plot.  There will also be a map up on the bulletin board.  If you have ANY questions about where your plot is, please ask me, another gardener, or a Wagner Farm staff member.  

*RAIN-The garden will be open rain or shine.  I will be at the garden most of the day on Saturday and Sunday.  IF IT IS RAINING, I WILL BE INSIDE THE HERITAGE CENTER. Feel free to ask for me at the front desk of the Heritage Center.  I am available to help you.  If lightning is spotted, you will be asked to come inside the Heritage Center for your safety.

*ORGANIC-Please remember that this is an ORGANIC garden.  All amendments, fertilizers, weed or pest control must say organic on the packaging.  Be a good community member and follow our rules.

*PARKING- You must park in the lot East of the farm by the Greek church.  You may drive into the circular drive to drop off supplies (this weekend only) but please move your car to the parking lot as soon as possible.  The circular drive will be closed during wagon rides.

*WAGONS-A few wagons will be available from 6:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  on Saturday and Sunday, for you to bring your plants and supplies from the circular drive to your plot.  You can get a wagon from me (Alyssa) by the gate to the garden.  Please return your wagons as soon as possible so that other gardeners can use them.

*STAY ON THE GRASS areas or walkways when you walk around the garden.  Walking on the soil compacts the soil and ruins the soil structure.  Please make sure your children stay on the paths as well.

*STRAW- If you pre-ordered straw, your 1/2 bales will be waiting at your plot.  Please keep your straw on your plot and not in the grass area.  If you have extra straw, please spread it on the areas labeled "walkway".  Please do not put extra straw in the compost bins.

*COMPOST AND TRASH- All compost should be put in the compost bins that are just outside the Community Garden fence (no soil please).  All trash should be put in the garbage cans.  

*WOODEN SIGNS- If you ordered a wooden sign, it is ready for pick-up at the front desk of the Heritage Center.

Happy Gardening!

Alyssa Tadelman