Wagner Farm Community Garden

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

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

This week we planted an oat cover crop in the Community Garden. We planted 50 pounds of oats and then turned the oat seeds in with a harrow. A harrow is used to lightly plow the land and cover the seeds with soil.

A cover crop is used as a "green manure". Cover crops are grown with the intent of tilling them back into the soil rather than harvesting them for food. They provide essential nutrients for microorganisms and earth worms. Oats are a soil builder and a nitrogen recycler. They also help with erosion. We will keep you posted as we continue to prepare the garden for the 2017 growing season.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

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.

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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.