Update

Faith & Food Volunteers,

The first week of the garden has gone smoothly.  Some of the carrots, squash and beans are up.  We lost one squash plant and two collards, so I picked up some more and will plant them this evening,when it is cooler.

Watering takes about 30 min to do a good job.  The drainage is great, so it is important to spend time in each bed to ensure through watering.  It is important to water the tomato pot in the corner, flower pots (whiskey barrels) and 6 shrubs that front the fence, too.  Fortunately, this is easy to do through the fence.

I found leaving the hose laid out was easier for me when I returned to water again.  Someone kindly coiled it up one day, but stretching it out, especially when the hose twists, was a bit of extra work for me.  I would recommend each volunteer to do what works for them and for others to let things be for that volunteer.  A laid out hose does not look bad in this setting, especially since this is a "working" garden.

We do have some carpenter bees that have begun to bore holes in the wood supports for the peas.  I will fill the hole that I found with caulk, and if each volunteer does the same when it is their week, that should take care of the problem for this year.  I think it would get too hot in the garden chest to leave the caulk.  If you don't have caulk, let me know and I'll stop by to fill in the hole on.  Next year, I would suggest we either use a different kind of wood or metal supports.

When it is your turn to tend the garden, being prepared for the heat is important.  The main advice I give is to have water, hat, bandanna - whatever keeps you cool, and do take care when walking on the wood-chips if you are wearing sandals.  I discovered some of the wood-chips are long and pointed and one found its way into my toe, leaving a very nice sliver - so take care!

Finally, be sure to release the water pressure from the hose when shutting off the water, either at the main valve (side not being used) or by letting it out the wand.

Have a great week,
Cathy