At 4:30pm today — if it isn’t raining –we’ll be outside doing garden prep work: bleaching the beds (Amy and I finished cleaning them yesterday), cutting landscape fabric, pulling supplies like the good watering wand out of storage. Please join if you can!
Tomorrow, Sun, will be more of the same, @12 noon, possibly dumping soil into beds if there’s been progress. Thx!
-Denise
This weekend Amy and I finished cleaning and sanitizing one bed, planted sunflower seeds, transplanted ever bearing strawberry seedlings into the top of the tower, and found self-watering accessories for the community herb bed (in storage). Matt bought starts for the herb bed, and Jeff volunteered to move and level standing bed in the near future.
Next up: order and pick up soil, clean and sanitize the remaining beds, and fill ’em up! -Denise
I’ll be outside at 5pm today, Saturday, to prep beds and transplant some of the herbs and strawberries I’m picking up this afternoon.
Thanks! -Denise
PS
I will also be around Sunday — Easter — to start disinfecting the beds after the environmentally friendly bleach alternative arrives. Reach out and if you want to work in the garden 🙂
Look a heckofa lot better than the ones I tried to keep going this winter! Im watching them while she’s away…..
Its Friday, and chilly, but I will be outside today at 5:15pm to starting scrubbing down the beds.
These are the tasks that should be completed by Sunday April 9th (Easter Sunday).
Scrub the Beds
The contaminated soil was moved out of 5 beds. They should be rinsed and cleaned with water biodegradable soap before being treated with bleach (or bleach alternative — ideas?)
Finalize Plant Sale Order
Do we want to grow some flowering perennials in an area for flowers for cutting? Options include bee balm, yarrow, echinacea, See draft order here and please add comments.
Strawberry Tower Shore-Up
Fertilize the plants, add soil, and assess how many more are needed. (Max is two to three plants per 4 corner “pot”)
Buy and Plant Arugula Seeds, Other Lettuces
Can they go in the bed #3, where Amy planted Kale? Not sure which plants are compatible w Kale.
Place Orders for Delivery Via Credit Card
You will be reimbursed. We need to order, possibly get delivery, about 16 bags of organic soil.
Pick Up Soil Order From Local Home Depot or Lowes
About 16 bags…
Thanks to AJ, Amy, and Gunthilde! We prepped three beds, uncovered the strawberry tower, and sowed some seeds.
We have yet to hear back from the board — all prelim plans are on hold. That said, if the weather cooperates tomorrow, Sunday, I will likely be cleaning up the garden area around 12noon/1pm.
Thanks, -Denise
Gardeners: Please note the key upcoming dates and deadlines. It is crunch time! There is a lot to do, and a lot to confirm before we can proceed with most tasks. Thank you!
March 20, 2023 Seed-Starting Workshop
Friday March 24, 12noon Deadline to submit questions for 3/30 Board Info Webinar
Sat/Sun March 25/26th Finalize map for 3 unpolluted beds (plan A and B; any veg planting are contingent on commitments for help by this date)
March 28, 2023 Tuesday Garden Committee checks in on planters/seeds started 3/20; follows up with BOD re Phase 1 requests
March 30, Thursday at 7:30pm: Shareholder Info webinar
March 31st, Friday 3-5pm Virtual Rat Academy Training for Community Gardeners
End of March/ Early April – Deadline to have garden cleaned up; prepped for Spring
April 5, 2023 Soil will be removed from polluted beds by this afternoon (Wed)
April 6, 2023 One month after Phase 1 requests submitted to BOD by Garden Com; time to follow up. Last day to submit GrowNYC plant sale order
Early April – Start to direct sow arugula, sugar snap peas, kale
Early to Mid-April – Direct sow cucumbers; order or source rat-proofing materials, new soil for polluted beds
April 18, 2023 One month after Phase 2 requests submitted to BOD by Garden Com
April 20, 2023: Questions for candidates night must be submitted by 12noon on Thursday 4/20
April 26, 2023, 10am-12noon Virtual Rat Academy Training
April 25, 2023: Meet the Candidates Night, Tuesday at 7:30pm
End of April – direct sow or transplant lettuce, radish or carrots ; if replacing soil for polluted beds, empty beds by this date
Fri April 28th – Plant sale pick up
Sat April 29th – EarthDay Fest –Recycling and Sustainability committee day of outdoor educational activities; If we are replacing soil in any polluted beds, have soil, rat-proofing materials by this weekend. Transplant some flowers + herbs
Sun April 30 Rain date for EarthDay Fest. and/or transplanting work
Mid-May/Early June – Hold weekly Q+A for seed-starters – Help with hardening off seedlings, prepare for transplanting, watering. (Usually Wed evenings); start watering schedule
Early to Mid-June Transplant tomatoes, peppers; possibly hold Strawberries + Salad fundraiser party
Join the garden committee to start indoor planting!
We’re starting tomatoes, peppers, and flowers such as zinnia and marigold. Participants will plant the seedlings at the workshop, then raise the plant on their windowsill at home. A couple of months later, in late May/early June, we will transplant the mature seedlings into the garden inside the children’s play area behind 195 Adams St.
At the 3/20 workshop, the garden committee will provide guidance, organic soil, organic fertilizer, and organic seeds.
We ask for $10 per person or $30 per household – which can serve as your garden membership dues for 2023. CVEarthlab Garden is self-funded. We ask residents who use the garden to donate money to help cover annual expenses.
Please pay in advance; if you cannot attend the live event, we will pack a to-go bag with everything you need to start at home. Checks, made out to CVOI, can be dropped off at the office or left at the 175 Adam St door station (for Denise Maher, 8-C). To pay electronically, Venmo @Lee-Stern-4
After payment is made, RSVP to CVEarthlab@gmail.com, including the names and ages of participants, contact info, and payment method.
Thank you.
Related: ISO Empty Seltzer Bottles for Self-Watering Planter Project
Concord Village EarthLab 