Fruits of Gardening

Farming in the Community Garden affords many benefits: enjoying the fresh air, sharing gardening tricks with others, and enjoying the bounty of fresh vegetables that come our way. Here is a picture of some the amazing produce from the one of our gardeners.

Fruits of the Garden

Alas! The sweltering heat and the natural "aging process" of our garden plants are beginning to show their effects in the garden. Vines are wilting, tomato plants are yellowing, yields are slowing or even stopping on many of our precious jewels. That means, it's a great time to begin uprooting the old and planting the new. Yes, this is a great time to begin our Fall gardens that can include more tomatoes, as well as, some of the cooler weather plants.

Don't forget, if uprooting old plants, DO NOT discard seed bearing material (e.g. old tomatoes, beans, squash, etc.) in the compost pile. Also, DO NOT put weeds or diseased plant material into the compost pile. These items should be disposed of in the trash can or taken home and disposed of properly. Happy gardening!

New Toy_Mantis Tiller

Look! We have a brand new toy at the SCP Community Garden. It's a 4-cycle Mantis Tiller.

"4-cycle" you say. What does that mean. Well our previous tiller was a 2-cycle, which required carefully mixing a special oil into the gasoline. The 4-cycle engine uses gasoline without the oil mix. However, there is oil in the engine...just like an automobile engine.

Our previous tiller was constantly having engine problems because of the ETHANOL found in most commercial gasoline. The ethanol seems to gum up small engines. Yuk! Hence, in the new tiller we WILL USE ONLY ETHANOL FREE GASOLINE. Located in the tool shed is a red fuel can labelled "MANTIS TILLER ONLY". If that can becomes empty, please inform Mater Man. (There are very few outlets for ethanol-free gasoline in the area and Mater Man knows where.)

If you follow instructions (posted in the tool shed), the Mantis Tiller easily starts on 2 pulls and runs like a charm. Happy tilling!!

Mantis 4-cycle Tiller

Mantis Tiller in Action!

Spring is in the Air_2017

Yes, indeed. Spring has sprung and early crops are well underway at SCP Community Garden.

Tomatoes and Pole Beans

Lettuce, Beans and More

Beans and Cabbage

Some Mighty Fine Cabbage

Cherry Tomatoes--almost ready.

Garden View

Fall Crops and "Making the Bed"

While a few maters continue to produce, now is the time for getting those fall crops in the ground. Several farmers are enjoying the bounty:

Fall Cabbage

Juicy Carrots

Crisp Radishes

Fall Eggplant

Let's not forget about "bed making time". As your gardens begin to "fizzle" at the end of the growing season, don't forget to CLEAN your garden beds of weeds, spent veggie plants, and trellises, etc. Please DO NOT place seeds (okra pods, old tomatoes, beans, peas, etc.) or WEEDS into the compost pile. This absolutely ruins the compost for future use. Place such "nasties" (seeds, weeds) into a plastic bag and REMOVE from the garden site. This cleanup helps get your bed ready for next season.

Great Crops...Coming Along!

Here are a few pictures of our spring and early summer crops. Looking good! Congratulations to SCP-Community Garden "farmers" on your handiwork. It's time to start planning for that 1st "mater samich" with your very own home-grown mater. Yummy!!!

Cabbage--Some Fine Slaw

Hot Buttered Corn-on-the-Cob

 

Luscious Maters On the Way

Summer Squash

 The Community Garden "Berry Patch" is still in its infancy. Let's continue to nurture these babies along so we can harvest a bounty of blackberries, blueberries, and figs in coming years.

Blackberries

Yes, they are "thornless". Lots of little green berries now promise some giant, ripe beauties soon. Can you say "blackberry cobbler"? Ummmm....

Fig Tree--maybe next year!

Blueberries--little bushes now...but wait!

New Toy for Gardeners

This handsome garden cart was donated to the Community Garden by "front desk Ed". Wow! What a handy device for those of us with achy, tired backs and legs.

The seat raises and lowers to a convenient height by spinning the seat either clockwise or counter clockwise.


The 5-gallon bucket and tray under the seat provide ample spots for keeping tools, seeds, and other supplies close at hand. Don't forget to rinse and wipe down the cart after use and before storing in the tool shed.

2016 Kickoff Breakfast

On January 30th, most of our Community Gardeners gathered at "the club" to kickoff our 2016 gardening year. In addition to a bountiful buffet, there was a brief program focusing on recommended soil amendments and "organic" approaches to insect control. Gardeners also had the opportunity of paying yearly fees and getting new garden keys. With a few warmer, sunnier days popping up, gardeners are beginning to get green thumb twitches...

The "Gardening Crowd"

Farmer Craig Loves that Black Kow

Paying Fees..Gettin' Keys