Important Dates for Community Gardeners:

2/18/17-Glenview Park District Spring Brochure is delivered to residents
2/23/17-3/5/17- Resident Registration- Apply during these dates to get into the lottery for the Wagner Farm Community Garden.
3/6/17-The Lottery is Spun and non-Resident Registration begins
3/14/17-Organizational Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
3/18/17-Organizational Meeting at 9:00 a.m.

If you have any questions about registering for the Community Garden program, feel free to contact Alyssa at: Alyssa.Tadelman@glenviewparks.org or (224)521-2203.

Dear Gardeners,

If you have already closed your plot for the season, you can disregard the following information.

•COMPOST BINS- The compost bins are now full.  If you are closing down your plot before we empty them, please pull all plant material and pile it in the center of your plot.  We will come by with the bobcat and remove it.

•WATER- I was just told that the irrigation system was turned off yesterday.  You will not be able to get  water out of the spigots at this time.  You are welcome to wash your hands in the heritage center building  during business hours.  You can also use the light blue rain barrels behind the heritage center.

•WEEDS- Please note that you are responsible to pull all weeds in your plot that are over 8 inches tall.  The  more plant material we are able to remove from the plots now, the better chance we have of getting rid of  unwanted bugs and disease.

Thanks for all of your hard work to prepare the garden for winter!

Alyssa Tadelman

Dear Gardeners,

Happy Friday!  I just wanted to clarify a few things.  NEW THIS YEAR- we are asking that gardeners REMOVE ALL PLANT MATERIAL from their plot before the closing date (to be announced).  Please put ALL of your plant material in the compost bins.  Closer to closing day, we will put a hayrack in the garden.  Plant material can be placed on the hayrack as well to prevent the compost bins from becoming too full.  All plant material will be taken out in the pasture for composting.  It will NOT be brought back to the community garden.  We are trying to prevent diseases by not letting diseased plants be tilled into the garden.  We are also hoping that by removing the plant material, insects such as cucumber and squash beetles will not overwinter in plant material in the plots.  Thank you for helping to improve the community garden!

Here are some more announcements:

•Fall Sales at Wagner Farm- Come and buy your mums, pumpkins and gourds at Wagner Farm.  Farm toys and gifts will be available as well!

•Build Your Own Scarecrow- Join me THIS SATURDAY at Wagner Farm to build a scarecrow.  Bring some old clothes and the farm will provide you with the straw, a pumpkin head, and instructions on how to do it!  12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.  The cost is $5 per scarecrow.

•Fall Harvest Festival- Experience how harvest time was celebrated on an early 20th century farm.  Join us for wagon rides, farm activities, and fall arts and crafts.  Harvest foods are available for purchase.  

When:  Saturday, October 15, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

$5 per person, children under 2 are free

•GARDEN CLOSING- I will try to keep the garden open until around the 3rd week in October.  If we happen to have an early frost or very cold spell, we may have to close earlier.  Please be a good community garden member and continue to harvest and weed your plot.  

•EARLY CLOSING- If you would like to close up your plot early, please remove all non-organic materials such as tomato ties, plant tags, stakes, string, cages, etc.  Take them home or put them in the trash.  Remove all plant material and put it in a compost bin.  When you are completely out of your plot, please send me an e-mail.  I will check your plot to see that it has been properly closed down.  We will mow any remaining weeds/grass to keep our garden looking neat.  E-mail me with any questions.

•DONATIONS- I will be at the farm on Saturday from 10:00-11:30 to collect donations for the Northfield Food Pantry.  Your fresh food donations are greatly appreciated.

Happy Gardening!

Alyssa Tadelman

Dear Gardeners,

Harvest time is a very exciting time in the garden!  There are so many beautiful vegetables ready to be harvested in the garden right now!!!  Don't forget to come and harvest your crops.  We have about 4 more weeks in the garden.  We are hoping to keep the garden open until about the third week in October (weather permitting).  This is just enough time to grow some fresh greens like butter lettuce, leaf lettuce, mustard greens, arugula, and Asian greens.  This is also a great time to grow a cover crop in your garden.  A cover crop adds nitrogen to your soil, suppress weeds, attract bees and beneficial insects, and much, much, more!  I highly recommend planting a cover crop in your plot.

If you are finished with your garden plot, please remove all plants and put them in the compost bins (peas and beans can be left to be turned into the soil to add nitrogen).  Remove all non-organic material as well.  Throw stakes and structures in the trash or take them home with you.  Throw out all plant tags and tomato ties.  LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU ARE DONE WITH YOUR PLOT.

Thank you!
Alyssa

Dear Gardeners,

I certainly have not needed to run the irrigation system lately!  We have had more rain than we need!  I hope your plots are not too flooded and that your plants are still surviving and producing for you.  I am constantly amazed at all of the delicious vegetables ready for harvest in our garden.  PLEASE COME AND HARVEST YOUR VEGGIES!!!  

Here are some more announcements:

•HARVEST VEGETABLE COOKING CLASS- You have a variety of veggies-now what do you do with them?  Taught by local chef, Jill Houk, you will discover new recipes, especially using TOMATOES and eat what you cook!  Please join me on Tuesday, September 20 from 6:00-7:30 pm for this fun class!

•GARDEN CLOSING- These are words we all don't want to hear!  I will try to keep the garden open until around the 3rd week in October.  If we happen to have an early frost or very cold spell, we may have to close earlier.  So that means, we have plenty more gardening time!!!! Be a good community garden member and continue to harvest and weed your plot.  

•EARLY CLOSING- A few gardeners have expressed interest in being done with their plots for the season.  If you would like to close up your plot early, please remove all non-organic materials such as tomato ties, plant tags, stakes, string, cages, etc.  Take them home or put them in the trash.  Remove all plant material and put it in a compost bin.  When you are completely out of your plot, please send me an e-mail.  I will check your plot to see that it has been properly closed down.  We will mow any remaining weeds/grass to keep our garden looking neat.  E-mail me with any questions.

•DONATIONS- I will be at the farm on Saturday from 10:00-11:30 to collect donations for the Northfield Food Pantry.  Your fresh food donations are greatly appreciated.

•MILK FUNGICIDE (Upon Request Only)- Lately, I have not seen anyone using the milk fungicide.  If you would think you will be using it this Saturday, PLEASE E-MAIL ME.  I am happy to mix it and put it out if you would like to use it.

Happy Gardening!

Alyssa Tadelman

What to Grow in July

Hi Gardeners!  Many of you have been asking me what you can still plant and grow in your garden in the month of July.  It’s not too late to grow a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers.  There are many choices, it may be hard to choose what to grow in an empty spot in your plot.  When choosing starter plants or seeds, simply check the DAYS TO MATURITY to make sure that you have enough days left in the season to grow the variety you are growing.  Keep in mind that the Community Garden is typically open until mid-October.

VEGETABLES AND HERBS                         FLOWERS

basil                                                                                                   marigolds

beans                                                                                                 sunflowers

beets                                                                                                  cosmos

broccoli raab                                                                                  zinnias

collard greens                                                                                four o’clocks

coriander (cilantro)                                                                     nasturtium

cucumbers (try them now… the beetles don’t seem as bad)

dill

edamame

green onions (also called bunching onions)

parsley

bush beans and pole beans

kale

kohlrabi

pak choi

leeks

lettuce

marjoram

mustard greens

oregano

perpetual spinach

pumpkins

raddichio

radishes

sage

scallions

summer and winter squash

swiss chard

thyme

turnips

Dear Gardeners,


Please note that the following workshop has been rescheduled.  Hope to see you there!

"Grow Your Own" Workshop- Wednesday, July 27 from 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.
Jeanne Nolan, The Organic Gardener, has been growing food organically for over twenty-five years. She's helped build over a thousand organic food gardens in and around Chicagoland for families, schools, restaurants, businesses, and non-profit organizations.

Discover how Jeanne's background in large-scale organic communal farming influenced her current approach to gardening. Obtain detailed how-to lessons on designing and maintaining a productive organic garden, based on Jeanne's five keys to gardening success. 

"Grow Your Own" will be held in the Heritage Center at Wagner Farm.

RSVP to Alyssa if you are interested in attending. Alyssa.Tadelman@glenviewparks.org Please specify the class(es) you are interested in.

Thanks!
Alyssa Tadelman

Dear Gardeners,

Your gardens are looking beautiful!  It's my favorite thing to walk around the garden and see all of your plants sprouting and growing.  I am continually amazed by how everyone's garden is so different too!  What creative things you are all doing with a 9 x 23 foot piece of land!  Please see the following weekly reminders below:

•Help!-Our entire group e-mail list was recently lost due to a technical difficulty.  Yikes!  I needed to retype all of your e-mails!  We currently have 159 gardeners on the list.  Please let me know if you want me to add (or delete) any of your friends or family members to the list.  I apologize if you already requested this.  I lost many of those e-mails.

•Milk as Fungicide- Bring your empty (and clean) spray bottle!  I will be putting out a raw milk/water solution to be used as a fungicide for your plants.  It will be located on the storage boxes by the Southeast gate of the garden.  Spray this liberally on the leaves of your plants, especially your squash and cucumbers.

•Rain Barrels- There are 2 rain barrels that collect rainwater from the roof of the heritage center.  They are located at the back side of the heritage center, just across from the garden.  They are painted like a sky and clouds.  Please feel free to use this water to fill your watering cans.

•Garden Ornaments- The girl scouts will be selling garden ornaments again this week.  The ornaments are $15 each.  Help support the girl scouts!

Happy Gardening!

Alyssa Tadelman

Dear Gardeners,

We finally got the rain we needed!  This morning, I checked the rain gauge.  We had 3/4" of water overnight!  HOORAY!  Please read other important garden reminders below:

This weekend, I will be checking which gardeners have not been out to their plots yet.  IF YOU ARE NO LONGER INTERESTED IN HAVING A PLOT, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO I CAN GIVE IT TO SOMEONE ON THE WAIT LIST.

*Garden Ornaments for sale!-  This Saturday, from 10:00 -2:00 (weather permitting), there will be Girl Scouts selling hand-made garden ornaments.  Bring your cash.  The ornaments are $15 each.  Please come out and support them!

*T-Shirts-The t-shirts are in!!!  Pick up your pre-ordered Community Garden t-shirt at the Heritage Center at Wagner Farm.  Shirts will be at the front desk starting this SATURDAY.  If you have any problem with your order, don't hesitate to e-mail me.

*WELCOME- Blake Lanphier- Our new Farm Operations Manager.  Thanks in advance for taking care of our Community Garden, Blake!

*Experienced Gardeners Needed- Join us for this FREE garden sharing session.  June 14-7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

How Does Your Garden Grow.  Experienced gardeners will share gardening tips with the group.  All community gardeners are invited to attend.  If you are an experienced gardener who is willing to attend and share your expertise, please e-mail me.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Alyssa

Dear Gardeners,

The day is finally here!!! Opening Day!  The garden will be open this Saturday, May 21 at 6:00 a.m.  Join me on Saturday and Sunday for cookies, lemonade, and gardening fun!  Please see the following IMPORTANT reminders below:

*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.

*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 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 bales will be delivered to your plot when you arrive.  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.

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

*PLOT MAP- Please be sure to check the location of your plot.  There will be a plot map hanging on the community garden bulletin board.

Enjoy the day and have fun!!!

See you in the garden!

Alyssa Tadelman

Dear Gardeners,

Due to the rainy spring we are having, the Wagner Farm Community Garden WILL NOT be open on Saturday, May 14.  The recent rain has caused the soil to be very wet.  Working in plots at this time would actually be damaging to the soil.  We will be staking the plots today with our garden volunteers.  We are hoping to open the garden next Saturday, May 21, weather permitting.
***Please check your e-mails for weekly progress on the opening of the garden.  If you are not receiving my e-mails, please contact me at Alyssa.Tadelman@glenviewparks.org.

Have a great weekend!
Alyssa

Dear Gardeners,

Happy Spring!  The weather is beautiful and sunny today.  I can't wait to garden!  Weather permitting, we are planning to try to stake out the garden plots on Saturday, May 7 at 10:00 a.m.  If you are interested in volunteering to help with staking, please let me know. (alyssa.tadelman@glenviewparks.org)  We are also hoping to open the garden on Saturday, May 14.  Please continue to check this blog for more details.

Have a great week!

Alyssa Tadelman

Welcome back gardeners!!!

Congratulations on receiving a garden plot!  All gardeners are asked to attend one of the two organizational meetings to learn about the garden program.  The organizational meetings are on Tuesday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, March 12 at 9:00 a.m.  Please RSVP to (Alyssa.Tadelman@glenviewparks.org or (224)521-2203) to let me know which meeting you are planning to attend.

At this time, we still have 3 plots available.  Interested gardeners can sign up at www.glenviewparks.org or in person at the Park Center.  In addition, we often have gardeners forfeit their plots.  We will be taking names for the wait list once all of the plots are full.  People on the wait list have a good chance of receiving a plot due to cancellations.

Please check this blog for updated information on the preparation of the community garden and for the opening date.

Thanks and let's wish for an early spring!

Alyssa Tadelman
Community Garden Plot Coordinator

Hello Gardeners!

I can't believe that I am already preparing for the 2016 garden season in the community garden!  Last week, I had the best time ordering my veggie and flower seeds.  I can't wait until they arrive!  I am sure you are all excited about the community garden as well.  Hey, the groundhog did not see his shadow, so we can all count on an early spring!  If you are interested in signing up to be in the lottery for a garden plot, please see the important dates below.

Feb. 13-Glenview Park District brochure is delivered
Feb. 18-Resident Registration for a Community Garden Plot Begins(on-line or in person at the Park Center)
Feb. 29-Open Lottery for garden plots (Gardeners will be notified by e-mail if they obtain a plot or if they are put on the wait list)
March 8 at 7:00 p.m.and March 12 at 9:00 a.m.- Organizational Meetings-You MUST attend one of the 2 meetings if you obtain a garden plot.

Good luck everyone! Hope to see you all in the spring!

Alyssa Tadelman
Community Garden Plot Coordinator

Dear Gardeners,

       Each winter, I can't wait to order my vegetable seeds for spring.  The seeds are my hope for the coming spring.  I am also excited about the 2016 Community Garden season.   If you are interested in entering the lottery for a plot in 2016,  here are some important dates:

February 13- Glenview Park District Spring Brochures will be delivered
February 18- Resident Registration will begin (you may sign up to enter the lottery at www.glenviewparks.org or in person at The Park Center)
February 29- The lottery will be spun
March 8 and 12- Mandatory Organizational Meetings- All gardeners must attend one of the meetings.

If you have any further questions about obtaining a garden plot, feel free to contact me at:
alyssa.tadelman@glenviewparks.org

Happy New Year!
Alyssa Tadelman