Wagner Farm Community Garden

Monday, July 29, 2019

Dear Gardeners,

The plots are finally drying up and it’s time to garden. Don’t worry, it’s not too late to plant your flowers, veggies, and herbs. You can even plant tomatoes up until the 4^th of July and still get a good late summer crop. Also, don’t forget to come by and weed your garden. It is easiest to weed your plot when the weeds are small and the soil is moist. As always, if you have any questions about your garden, feel free to send me an e-mail.

Please see the other important garden information below:

*TERRIFIC TOMATOES- Registration is open for our Terrific Tomatoes gardening class. Learn the various growing methods for successfully producing this very popular “vegetable”. Tomato varieties, planting, staking, fertilizing, pruning, and more will be covered. 6/25/19- 6:30-8:00 pm. $15 residents/$18 nonresidents.

*RAISED ROWS IN THE DEMO PLOT- Many gardeners have been asking how I built my raised rows in the Demo Plot (plots #1 and 2). I used the technique from the book Raised Row gardening by Jim and Mary Competti. First, I made a row of straw. I covered the straw with the soil from in between my rows. I topped my rows with Dr. Earth veggie soil mix and composted cow manure. My plants seem to be holding up well after all of this rain thanks to my raised rows!

*MY NEW GARDEN SUGGESTION- I wanted to recommend my new favorite veggie, red orach. It is in the spinach family. It is pink-red in color and tastes like a tender spinach. Red orach has a mild, delicious flavor. It is beautiful addition to your favorite salad. I have been enjoying it raw and in smoothies. I purchased my red orach seeds at www.rareseeds.org.

*LENDING LIBRARY-Our lending library has been installed by the South entrance to the garden. Come by and help yourself to a good book! Bring a book to share if you’d like.

*GLENVIEW GARDENERS PLANT SALE- The Glenview Gardeners will be having a plant sale at the Farmer’s Market on June 22, 8:00 am- 12:00 pm. Plants from members’ gardens will be sold and gardening tips will be provided.

Happy Gardening!

Alyssa

Dear Gardeners,

I love seeing everyone in the garden each day. Your plots are all looking great! Even with all of the rain we have been having, it seems like the raised rows and raised beds people have built are really doing their job.

One important thing I need to discuss is leaving a 1 foot border unplanted around your garden plot. This was clearly stated in the organizational meeting. If you draw a line from one of your stakes to another, there should be no plants 1 foot in from that line. Many gardeners have planted on that line or even outside that line. This is making it very difficult for our farmers to edge and mow. I RECOMMEND THAT YOU COME BY AND MOVE any plants that are outside of your plot edge in 1 foot. If you do not move them, you run the risk of your plants being cut by edging and mowing. In addition, we do not allow fencing or netting of any kind along the edge of your plot. This can get caught up in our mowers and it makes it impossible to edge your plot. Please be a good Community Gardener and follow our rules and regulations. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Check below for other important garden information:

*WOOD CHIPS and WOOD MULCH- Please note that wood chips and wood mulch are NOT ALLOWED in the Community Garden. They can take nitrogen out of the soil and they do not break down in one garden season. If you have these in your plot, we ask that you remove them ASAP!

*GLENVIEW FARMER'S MARKET- begins June 22 from 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Parking will be difficult if you are coming to garden! Please park in the Greek Church lot.

*WEEDS in the GARDEN- with all the rain we have had, the weeds are growing fast! Please come by and weed your garden while the weeds are small. It is easiest to weed when the soil is moist.

*GLENVIEW FARMER'S MARKET- begins June 22 from 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Parking will be difficult! Please park in the Greek Church lot.

*TERRIFIC TOMATOES- Registration is open for our Terrific Tomatoes gardening class. Learn the various growing methods for successfully producing this very popular “vegetable”. Tomato varieties, planting, staking, fertilizing, pruning, and more will be covered. 6/25/19- 6:30-8:00 pm. $15 residents/$18 nonresidents.

*LENDING LIBRARY-Our lending library has been installed by the South entrance to the garden. Come by and help yourself to a good book! Bring a book to share if you’d like.

*GLENVIEW GARDENERS PLANT SALE- The Glenview Gardeners will be having a plant sale at the Farmer’s Market on June 22, 8:00 am- 12:00 pm. Plants from members’ gardens will be sold and gardening tips will be provided.

Happy Gardening!

Alyssa

Dear Gardeners,

It was so wonderful to see everyone who came out to the garden on opening weekend! It was great to have some beautiful weather in between all the rain. I checked out the garden today and it is still pretty wet. We have had a record amount of rain in the month of May. If your plot is flooded, DO NOT WALK on the soil. It will only ruin the soil structure. I recommend you wait to dig and plant until the garden dries out a bit. Please see the other garden information below.

*PLANTS FOR SALE- There are still some organic plants for sale at the front desk in the Heritage Center. Come by and pick a few up!

*CUCUMBER BEETLES- Many gardeners have been having problems with cucumber beetles eating tiny holes in the leaves of their cucumber plants. Please see the attached document for some organic suggestions to deal with these pests.

*DAIRY BREAKFAST and STOCK SHOW- Join us on June 8 from 8:00 am- 1:00 pm for a delicious farm-style breakfast that includes a variety of dairy items. Live music, dairy demonstrations, wagon rides, and hands-on activities throughout the morning. Have some breakfast and then head out to your garden plot!

Happy Gardening!

Alyssa

Monday, April 22, 2019

Dear Gardeners,

Happy Spring! I am so glad we are finally having this wonderful weather! I can't wait for the gardening season to start.

This week, I am excited to let you know, The Chalet Garden Center has donated vegetable and flower seeds to our garden. Stop by the front desk in the Heritage Center from 9:00-5:00 to pick up some FREE seeds. They are in a blue basket at the desk. This basket is a seed sharing basket. Take some seeds and/or leave some seeds you do not need. Please check the expiration date on the seeds you pick up. Older seeds should sprout but you may have a lower germination rate.

Also, please see the important information below regarding the Community Garden.

*PLOT MAP- The plot map is not complete. New gardeners are signing up every day. I will e-mail you the map as soon as it is finished.

*e-mails- If you have a friend or family member who did not get this e-mail and would like to receive Community Garden e-mails from me, please let me know and I will add them to my list.

*TERRIFIC TOMATOES- Tuesday, June 25 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Who can resist a delicious, home-grown tomato? This class will teach the various growing methods for successfully producing this very popular "vegetable". Tomato varieties, planting, staking, fertilizing and pruning will be covered.
Sign up at www.glenviewparks.org<http://www.glenviewparks.org><http://www.glenviewparks.org/>

*THE TALKING FARM PLANT SALES- The Talking Farm in Skokie will be selling 35 varieties of vegetables and herbs to support their farm and their educational programs. These high quality, organic seedlings will be on sale for $4 each 5/11, 5/18, 5/19, and 5/25. They are taking pre-orders. See the attached flyer for more information.

*T-SHIRT PREORDERS- If you are interested in ordering a NEW Wagner Farm Community Garden t-shirt, please order at the front desk before April 21.

*WOODEN SIGNS-If you are interested in ordering a wooden garden sign please order at the front desk before April 21.

*MORE GARDEN CLASSES-
Planning Your Vegetable Garden- Lurvey's Garden Center- 4/17 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. ($15 fee)
Plant Your Vegetable Garden NOW-Lurvey's Garden Center-5/15 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. ($15 fee)
Sign up in advance at lurveys.com<http://lurveys.com>

-Healthy Soil, Healthy Life- Lisa from Purple Cow Organics will be at Red's Garden Center to discuss organic gardening and garden trends -4/13- 3:00 p.m.(FREE)RSVP-(847)272-1209
Ideas for Edible Gardens- Red's Garden Center -4/27-(FREE) RSVP-(847)272-1209

Have a great day!

Alyssa

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Dear Gardeners,

We are planning to open the Community Garden on Saturday, May 19, weather permitting. The cover crop of peas, oats, and clover is coming in nicely. Our farmers will be tilling in the cover crop later next week to prepare the soil for us. We had a great group of volunteers staking the garden today. Can't wait to see you all next week!

Have a great weekend and a happy Mother's Day!

Alyssa

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.