Dear Gardeners,

This week, gardeners and volunteers joined me for a wonderful and informative BEE TALK by Robin Forde.  We learned all about the life cycle of bees, how to maintain a hive, harvesting honey, the importance of planting flowers that attract bees, and much more!  We also loved tasting several varieties of delicious honey such as cactus honey, blueberry honey, and orange honey.

Also, in the garden, plot #43 was recently relinquished.  I replanted the garden with a wonderful group of volunteers. We used the raised bed gardening technique to protect the plants from possible future flooding.  We planted bush beans, radishes, and arugula.  These are all great late summer/early fall crops.  Stop by plot #43 to check it out!

*FIELD TRIP TO THE TALKING FARM- IF you are planning on attending the field trip to The Talking Farm, please RSVP to:

 Alyssa.Tadelman@glenviewparks.org

This field trip will be at The Talking Farm in Skokie at 10:00 a.m. At the farm, you will hear all about the farm's mission, their organic gardening practices, and how they use hoop houses for an almost year-round garden.  A $5 donation per person is recommended.

*MILK FUNGICIDE- This solution is already mixed for you!  It consists of unpasteurized milk and water.  It will be available on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. until it is used up.  Spray this mixture on your plants to prevent powdery mildew.  Please bring your own spray bottle.

*DONATIONS- If you have any donations to give to the food pantry, please drop them in the donation plot this Saturday from 10-12:00 pm.  I will pick them up for delivery. 

Happy Gardening!
Alyssa Tadelman
Community Garden Plot Coordinator

Historic Wagner Farm

The Bee Talk on Wednesday night was amazing!  Thank you Robin Forde.  We also enjoyed tasting 6 different varieties of honey.

Dear Gardeners,

Many gardeners have been experiencing problems with their tomato plants this year.  One common problem Community Gardeners are having is BLOSSOM END ROT.  Another issue that is occurring is that the tomato plants are not producing a enough flowers.  Due to the heavy rains, many of the nutrients in the soil have washed away.  Here is a list of ORGANIC products available to help these common tomato problems.  You can find the products at Chalet in Wilmette, Pesche's in Des Plaines, or Reds in Northbrook.

BLOSSOM END ROT- This is caused by a calcium deficiency in the soil.  There is a product called ROT STOP by BONIDE you can use.  This product comes in a spray bottle or in a concentrated form you can mix with water in your watering can.  You can also add crushed egg shells to the soil but this will only add calcium to the soil after the shells break down over time.  Bonemeal is another product you can use to add calcium to the soil.  It is perfectly fine to eat tomatoes with blossom end rot if you cut off the rotten part.

NOT ENOUGH TOMATO BLOSSOMS?- You can use a product called BLOSSOM SET SPRAY (also called blossom set hormone) by BONIDE.  This product helps your tomato plant produce flowers even in poor conditions.  Blossom set spray can also be applied to beans, cucumbers, melons, peppers, and strawberries. 

GENERAL FERTILIZING- If you have not already applied a general fertilizer yet this month, you can apply a general organic fertilizer such as DR. EARTH TOMATO, VEGETABLE, and HERB FERTILIZER or TOMATO TONE by ESPOMA.

Feel free to contact me if you have any other concerns about your tomato plants.

Happy Gardening!

Alyssa Tadelman

Community Garden Plot Coordinator

Historic Wagner Farm

The Physical and Mental Benefits of Gardening

Over the last several years, the popularity of natural produce and organic products has grown exponentially. More people are rediscovering the enjoyable pastime of maintaining their own gardens right in their own backyards. Between cleaner eating options and the healthy advantages of physical labor, gardening provides a fair amount of benefits to our physical and mental health. It’s no wonder that we are going back to our roots to cultivate a healthier future through gardening.

The two major categories of our health include physical health, pertaining to the strength and overall wellness of our bodies, and our mental health which relates to our emotional well-being. Gardening incorporates elements that improve both of these areas of our health. So the next time you clip those hedges or spread out new soil, consider these surprising ways that gardening can impact your health for the better.

Physical Benefits

It’s obvious that gardening packs a significant workout routine. It requires something from nearly every major muscle group we have. We trim, prune, pull, plant, and water, which means we walk, stretch, twist, bend, and tighten our muscles while we are gardening. In fact, according to professor Clyde Williams at Loughborough University, you can burn the same amount of calories during a three hour span of gardening, as you would during an hour-long workout routine at the gym. Plus, who wouldn’t prefer a little color and fresh air to spruce up their workout? Of course, as with any physical exercise, you would need to participate in gardening activities multiple times a week, for at least thirty minutes a day in order to count it as the majority of your weekly exercise routine. You will also want to do some stretches before you begin, and drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated in the heat.

While you explore your new gardening physical fitness plan, take advantage of your new horticulture skills by eating some of the fruits and vegetables you grow in your garden. Homegrown, natural produce can be the healthiest option for your diet. And surely the sense of excitement and accomplishment from a successful garden will pair well with any of the edible creations you grow.

Mental Benefits

Since physical exercise and healthy eating habits are good for your bodily health, they will naturally affect your mental health as well. For example, exercise and gardening are both known for their ability to turn a stress-filled day into a calming and relaxed one. That’s because of something called endorphins, which are released in the brain when we engage in physical activities like gardening, and help us feel more positive emotions. Also, filling your diet with options like fruits and vegetables may help improve your memory, increase your alertness, and prevent future illnesses. So by planting and harvesting, you are sowing into your future and reaping the mental health benefits. 

For those who struggle with depression, gardening can be one of the best healthy treatments available. While taking care of plants and flowers, you gain a sense of purpose, a stronger awareness of responsibility for another living thing, the honor of nurturing something to allow it to grow, and some quiet, personal time that isn’t steeped in worry or caught up in the daily to-do list. It’s the perfect way to destress and relax, while you soak in some much needed, sun-inspired Vitamin D.

So put on your gardening gloves, fill the watering can, and grab the clippers. Nurture your health while surrounding it with life in the garden. Allow gardening to improve your physical and mental health.

article submitted by Maria Cannon freelance garden journalist