Wagner Farm Community Garden: May 2017

Friday, May 26, 2017

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

Friday, May 19, 2017

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

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

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

Monday, May 15, 2017

Dear Gardeners,

On Saturday, May 13, a group of dedicated community gardeners set out to measure and stake the Wagner Farm Community Garden. Volunteers worked cooperatively to measure out the plots and pound in a total of 240 wooden stakes. A big THANK YOU to all the gardeners who came out to help!

Weather permitting, the Community Garden will officially open next Saturday, May 20. I can't wait to see everyone!

Happy Gardening!

Alyssa

Monday, May 8, 2017

Staking the Community Garden Plots

Attention Gardeners....

Weather permitting, we are planning on staking the garden plots THIS Saturday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. If you would like to volunteer to help with staking, please respond to this e-mail to let me know. Volunteers should park in the lot across the street by the Greek Church. Dress appropriately for the weather. Please bring a rubber mallet hammer if you have one.

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Spring Garden Update

Dear Gardeners,

It has been a pleasure seeing returning gardeners and meeting new gardeners at the Organizational Meetings and Vegetable Garden Series classes. I can't wait to garden with everyone! Please read the garden updates below:

-PLOT MAP- The plot map has been e-mailed to you. This year, we had more requests than ever before. First priority was given to individuals who need special accommodations due a disability or health issue. I also honored requests for returning gardeners who requested the same plot as the previous year. If you requested to be near a friend, I honored your request if a plot was available near your friend's plot. Remember, there are no "bad" plots and your new plot neighbors may turn out to be your life-long friends!

-WOODEN SIGNS- If you ordered a wooden sign, they are all finished! You can pick up your sign at the front desk.

-T-Shirts- The Community Garden t-shirts have been ordered. I will let you know when they arrive.

-Community Garden Status- Currently, we have a nice oat cover crop growing in the garden. The garden beds are pretty wet right now. Our farmers are ready to till the soil and add amendments as soon as the plots are dry enough. I will keep you posted on the status of when we will stake out the beds and when the garden will open.

-Red's Coupons- Red's Garden Center in Northbrook dropped of 15% off coupons for Community Gardeners. You can pick up your coupon in the Heritage Center at the front desk while supplies last!

Have a great evening!

Alyssa Tadelman

*Don't forget to check our blog for the latest garden information:

https://wfcg.blogspot.com

*Check out our Pinterest board at:

www.pinterest.com/wfcomgarden

*Join our Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/wagnerfarmgardeners

What's This?

FieldWatch is a nonprofit organization that is intended to help pesticide applicators and specialty crop growers communicate more effectively. The site registers certified organic gardens and their beehives. This information is provided to crop dusting (pesticide) applicators to let them know the location of organic gardens. They use this information to plan their routes accordingly. Our sign alerts them to keep pesticides away! The Wagner Farm Community Garden and our Wagner beehives are registered as organic sites through FieldWatch.

Q&A

Q: Are cocoa shells allowed as mulch in the community garden?

A: YES! Cocoa shell mulch (also called cocoa bean mulch) is great for gardens. These shells have a sweet smell and look very neat in your garden bed. When cocoa beans are roasted, their shells separate. Roasting the beans sterilizes the shells. Therefore, the shells are weed free and organic. If you are interested in using them in your plot, ask for them at your favorite garden center.

Negatives-When cocoa mulch gets too wet and does not have time to dry between waterings or rainfalls, it can attract pests. Also, in hot, humid weather, the cocoa shells can develop a harmless mold. You can use a mixture of 25% water and 75% vinegar as a spray to get rid of the mold.

*CAUTION- Do not use cocoa bean mulch at home if you have dogs. This sweet mulch can be toxic to dogs if eaten.

Biggest Gardening Mistakes:

Biggest Gardening Mistakes:

1. Planting too soon-The weather forecast shows nighttime temperatures below 50º through next weekend. You are taking a risk if you plant your warm weather crops such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, zucchini, etc.

2. Not hardening off your plants-Plants that have been grown in your house or in a greenhouse need to be “hardened off”. This means they need to gradually get use to the outdoor temperature, sun, and wind before being planted outside. Ask if your plants have been hardened off at your favorite garden store. Check online to see how to harden off your plants.

3. Improper Spacing-Your seedlings look so small and cute right now, but they will be huge! Read plant tags and seed packages for recommendations on plant spacing. Proper spacing will ensure better air circulation which leads to healthier plants and better production. Planting things too close together will make your plants more susceptible to disease. It will also make it difficult to harvest your veggies.

4. Not staking plants-It is important to stake your plants. This will promote proper air circulation and will help prevent disease. Staking is especially important because we have overhead sprinklers.

5. Not weeding-Weeds compete with your veggies for valuable nutrients and space. Some weeds even send out growth inhibitors that stunt the growth of your plants. You will get a weed warning in the Community Garden if you decide not to weed.