Paved with good intentions

Hey folks,

in case you hadn’t noticed we have our very own paver patio in the picnic table area of the garden. It was a big project that began more than a month ago. Lots of hurdles later: rocks and more rocks; big tree roots from the adjacent-yard weed trees; an extra ton of gravel required; hot days interrupted by rain; did I mention the numerous rocks everywhere?

Thanks need to go to all who participated in this communal effort: Ginger for conceiving, designing, general contracting and building; Ed W. for lifting, digging, brick laying, and consulting (as only a perfect partner can); Chuck S. for doing all the things Ed did and then some – an excellent steady, reliable and capable worker (and good companion); Erika and Rob for getting a pick-up truck and delivering (as well as shoveling) a much-needed ton of gravel in to this project (you guys saved the day); Randi for much-appreciated digging; Don S. for walking by and generously returning to help lay the final courses of bricks; and Ed H. and Jill for finding the funds to make this project a reality. With the need for additional materials, both gravel and sand, some people even contributed monetarily to this welcome addition to our garden. What a team, you all were a joy to work with! And what can’t we accomplish?

Hey, Christine, I believe a celebratory potluck is in order!

Dumpster Success!

Wow, what an amazing turnout! I think it may have been the biggest Dumpster Day ever! Thanks to Mo, Philippe (my husband), Steven, Becky, Melinda, Sarah, Joe, Jen and Ed! Everyone who came out hauled away garbage cans and wheel barrels full of rotting lumber and rubble. Talk about fun on a hot and humid Saturday morning.

And we filled that baby! Τhe great news is that the section of the garden on Dexter Street is now completely cleared of any scrap wood. If you could have seen it several years ago you wouldn’t believe the transformation. And we made some serious progress around the pumpkin patch too.

While we all were filling the dumpster Ed and Ginger with help from Randi started work on the brick patio in the picnic table area. And Jill was hanging all the signs on everyone’s garden beautifully painted by the mystery sign painters, please reveal yourselves.

Thanks, everyone

Gretjen

To see more photos from Dumpster Day look to the column on the right hand side and click on more snapshots.

They came, they saw, they liked it!

Five judges came by on Saturday, July 5th around 9:30 a.m. …and the rain held off.  Carol, Don, Jen and myself

Judges taking a walk through the garden.

showed them around.  Carol showed them the pond, spoke to them about the city harvest program and fed them wine berries.  Don took the photos pictured here.  Jen talked to them about beneficial bugs and the upcoming bug painting art show she is planning to host at the garden.  I showed them the composters, watering system, gave them a brief history of the garden and showed them the bee hives.  They stayed about a 1/2 hour and I feel certain they were impressed with the beauty of the flowers and abundant vegetables we’ve created.

Stay tuned for “round 2″ in August.  Thanks everyone for getting out there and doing your part!

Jill

Judges are coming

Attention all gardeners.  Jill just heard from the garden judges from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Garden Contest will be visiting Garden RUN on Saturday July 5th, time to be announced.

Please try to find time to weed, stake up your plants if needed and fill in any gaps in your garden, and weed paths around your garden.

Check the blog if you can’t remember your chore. Jill is free to meet you at the garden this week on Tuesday or Thursday if you need info about your chore, or info about what to weed or what not to weed etc.

Dumpster Day!

This is the day we have all been waiting for when the folks at L&I deliver a huge dumpster to the garden for us to spend the morning gleefully filling with garden debris!

We still need volunteers! If you can join us please email gretjen@gmail.com Please come out on Saturday, July 12 from 10:00 am to noon to help us clean up. Last year the mighty team of dumpster fillers made some serious headway in clearing along the wall in the back 40 to make room for a future mural.  Coffee, drinks and other snacks will be provided! Remember to wear heavy shoes and bring your work gloves.