Update

Hello F & F Volunteers!

I was unable to send out an update last week - no computer for 5 days.  Glad to be able to access my addresses and get a note out to you!
IMPORTANT:  We have a change in the water shut off.  Ken has asked that the main valve be left on to make it easier for Carolyn to do her watering around the church.  So, we will shut the water off on the divert-or attachment just off of the main valve.  Be sure to release the water pressure out of the hose - easily done by letting it drain out of the spray wand.  It is not good for the hose to be filled with water, especially on these very hot days.

We thank Marie Shaffer for tending the garden this past week. Next week Kathy Gottschalk & the Strengs will take care of our blooming garden!!

It has been very nice to receive updates for the past couple weeks from those tending the garden.  It does make it easier for me to share, in more detail, the happenings in the garden.  This past week, Marie delivered over 5# of produce to Food Gatherers and sprayed the beans.  I hope to have the total number of pounds delivered for the next update, but the # of pounds really doesn't tell the whole story because what has been delivered thus far consists of very light weight veggies: collards, kale, snap peas, and beans.  The tomatoes, carrots and squash are the heavy weights of this garden. : )  So, if folks start asking you how many pounds of veggies have been delivered to Food Gatherers, be sure to convey the whole picture.

The squash vines are really spreading!  Today, I pulled several vines back into the garden, as they were making their way out of the fence.  So, for tenders of the garden from this point forward, keep an eye on those vines to keep them in the garden.  Also, spray the beans, if it looks like the leaves are being consumed, and dead-head the marigolds.  They are getting nice and full and will stay that way if they are kept free of the spent flowers.  I have just been tossing them over the fence and onto the lawn.  Then they get ground up when the grass is cut.

There are many green tomatoes, so it won't be long until they'll be red and ready to harvest.  And...there are cherry tomatoes for folks to enjoy while they take care of the needs of our garden.

One final note - I don't know if I told you that Victor contacted me about having the students help in the harvesting and delivering of the produce once school gets back in session.  This will be great - more later on this help!

Thanks and have a good week,
Cathy

Update

Hello Faith & Food Volunteers!

It's been very warm and this week will be VERY HOT!  We thank Laura Kett for tending the garden last week.  She reported that she delivered peas to Food Gatherers and more will be ready this week.  BTW: all receipts from Food Gatherers' deliveries should be put in Barb Okonkwo's mailbox.  If you are not offered a receipt, be sure to ask for one.  Thanks!

This week, Muriel Learned and Malo Engle will tend the garden.  I'm sure it will need watering daily. 

Muriel & Malo: Laura put some peas in the church frig to add to what is picked this week for a larger amount to go to Food Gatherers, so please grab them when you take a run to Food Gatherers.  It looks like the kale and some of the collards are ready for delivery, too.  Laura mentioned some of the carrots still need thinning (next year we need to spread the carrot seeds very lightly when planting) and beans are coming on and may need picking.  She also mentioned the cherry tomato plant in the black pot is not doing well.  It may need a bigger pot, it may dry out faster being in a black pot... not sure what the cause is, but let's remember to water it along with the shrubs and flower tubs at the front of the garden.

I pulled the trailing squash vines out of the raised beds so they can grow and spread, so take care when walking the paths in that area. 

Finally, when I went to the church this morning, the water had been left on.  Not sure if it was our group or someone else, but please remember to turn the water off at the main valve on the church.  We don't want to waste resources.

Have a good week,
Cathy

Update

Hello F & F Volunteers!

Our garden is looking great, but with these hot days, lots of watering is needed. 

This past week Harvey delivered a lunch bag of snap peas to Food Gatherers and it looks like more will be delivered this week, too. 

We thank the Stobs and Lilian Kuiper for tending the garden last week.  For this week Laura is tending the garden, but since I only put Laura on the calender, I don't know if it is Laura Kett or Laura Boonstra.  Either way, Laura be sure to check the peas for delivery to Food Gatherers.

I hope all are enjoying their summer!  Have a good week,
Cathy

Update

Hello Faith & Food Volunteers!

I hope you are enjoying your 4th of July weekend!  It certainly is a warm one. 

Our garden is looking great.  Last week Barb and Muriel harvested collards, delivered  them to Food Gatherers, received some new collard seedlings and planted them.  Harvey attached the remaining hinge and the latch to the gate, so no more rope. : )  Thanks to all!

We thank Marian Izerman for tending the garden last week.  This week the Stobs and Lilian Kuiper will oversee the garden.  Harvey, Audrey and Lillian, there are snap peas ready to be harvested and delivered to Food Gatherers, this should be done early in the week, as many look ready now.

I hope folks are taking time to write in the garden journal and take photos when tending the garden.  Both the journal and disposable camera are located in the garden chest.

Have a great week,
Cathy