The plants are in and it is supposed to rain.  How's that for timing?
This afternoon some of the kids came out and helped plant beans.  They also helped put the flags on the deer fence so both deer and people don't walk into it.
Lynn and I will be gone until the day after Memorial Day.  Looks like nature will take care of the watering while we are gone and if not Jane D. will check and water if needed.
Stop buy and check out the garden if you have the time.
Enjoy the holiday

HERE IT IS!!  Pastor Deb this one's for you.  Thanks for the jump start
Sorry for the delay in posting but the following pics will tell the story.

 

Here's what we started with on 4-26-2013

Just visible are the temporary stakes to mark the corners

The next day I did a more accurate measuring and squared up the area. 

That same day I saw what Jim Matteson had been working on,

 

Here's what happens when you let Jim play with his power tools.

/What was once a bunch of 2X12 boards is now starting to be raised beds for the garden.

 

By May 4 this is what had happened to all that wood.

There are eight bins that are 4'X8' and two 4'X4' bins.

On May 5 Jerry and Ginny Whitrock brought their dump 

trailer filled with mixed compost, dirt, and horse manure.

Lynn Russ, the Whitrock's and I filled the raised beds.

 

Lynn and Jim taking a break from sun and heat.  

YES IT WAS HOT but that was several days ago!!

The following day May 6 once again Whitrock's came to our 

rescue and transported 6 yards of mulch which Lynn and I spread.

Sure is soft underfoot now

 WOAH Jim you're scaring off the volunteers.

Putting up the deer fence are Jim, Chris, and Juan.

The gate made by Donna Sandon is just visible in 

lower right corner. The double compost bin is visible in left center.

The fence posts go in!!

 

Lynn has the fencing well in hand

 

Chris putting the zip ties on the fencing.

After finishing that task he muscled unused Kasota stone into place around the outside to help keep small animals out and make mowing the border easier on the Wear's.

The fence is up, the gate is on and functions well and even the compost bins are put together in the center.

There is some small detail still needing to be done.  Once the coming cold of the next two nights is over the planting begins.  Hopefully Monday.  I may just put in something tomorrow - Mother's Day.  I think that might be rather appropriate to start life on that day.

As more things happen I will be better at posting but will be off line from May 18 through Memorial Day.

Donations for plants is around $300.  That will be a nice start for next year.  If you are interested in organic plants for your garden for next year let me know what you are interested in.  It would be nice not to have to guess what others might want.

Till next time.  Char L

WOW MORE SNOW AND COLD

I've been filling orders and planting continues.  The cucumbers, squash, melons and pumpkins are now done.

The last two days have been preparing for another round of nasty weather.  finally gave up and brought all plants not in the cold frame back inside.  It's time to clean up after that move and make sure all orders are filled

IF YOU'RE THINKING OF GETTING PLANTS LET ME KNOW ASAP.  I will be putting availability on Craig s list this weekend.

Hope to get some more pics and info posted tonight so until then stay warm and hopeful.

WRONG PHONE NUMBER LISTED IN FIRST BLOG POST!!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PLANTS PLEASE CALL 507-625-5493

As I looked out my window  at the ever increasing snow accumulation and dropping temperatures I can only hope the cold frame holds.  So far the temp. is 36.  As long as it stays above freezing and the plastic holds we are OK.

Today was a day of transplanting tomatoes to even bigger pots.  After running out of paper pots during the transplant process the eve was spent  folding more of them and will finish the transplanting tomorrow.

On a brighter side let's look at some tomatoes.

Brandywine tomatoes are one of my favorites.  They are an heirloom which means I can save seed from year to year.  Unlike hybrids they will continue to reproduce from seed saved from last year.  I really love the flavor as it is the old fashioned tangy tomato taste I grew up with.  The taste is a good balance of acid and sweet. These tomatoes are large (up to 1 1/2 pounds of meaty tomato goodness) and so are the plants. This tomato is an indeterminate (does not stop growing in height until is dies off) so be prepared to stake them.  I have had them grow over 6' tall.  The leaves look more like potato leaves and are large than other tomato varieties and prevent sun scald.
FYI  Many nurseries are advertising grafted Brandywine tomatoes.  They sell for $12.99 each.  I got curious and did some research and have three successful (alive) grafted plants.  The purpose for grafting is to provide disease resistance to these great heirlooms.  The process requires a hybrid with disease resistance. Hybrids are not genetically modified.  Hybrids are a result of natural selection - continuing to selectively breed (through protected pollination) only those plants that naturally provide the results desired.  the hybrid is used as a root stock and the heirloom is grafted to the top thereby passing the disease resistance to the heirloom.  I will see how the grafted compare to the non-grafted Brandywine.  If there seems to be an improvement in quantity and quality of the tomatoes I will make them available next year.
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The Tomato Pole Beefsteak is another large meaty tomato often reaching 2 pounds.  It is a hybrid and has disease resistance.  Good old fashioned flavor.  Like the Brandywine this is also an indeterminate and will need staking or support of some kind.

Early girl is great if you want that first tomato in your neighborhood feeling. Provides great tasting tomatoes all summer.The plants are strong  and have large leaves so will help prevent sun scald.  this one is a Great Container plant.

One of the best tasting sauce tomatoes.  So if you like salsa or just good old fashioned spaghetti sauce with robust flavor this is one to consider.  The fruits vary from 3"-5" long and grow in clusters.This is a heavy producing tomato and need staking/supporting.  The tomatoes hold well on the vine so not much waste with fruits fall off before you get them picked. I really like this one.

I've got 2 kinds of cherry tomatoes.  Both are indeterminate so require support and will produce all summer. Taste seems to be much the same and both are hybrids so disease resistance is present

Rutgers is a great canning and freezing tomato.  They have a small seed cavity and make a thick rich past, or a tasty salsa.  this one is a determinate and Does Not Require Staking!!  Fruits are 7-8oz. and similar in size.  As a determinate the plants stop producing and growing, at about the same time, which makes them easy to work with when canning.

Crimson Cushion is another indeterminate (requires support).  A large tasty slicer great for burgers or salads.   Fruits can reach 2 lbs in weight.  It is an heirloom so does not have natural disease resistance.

Roma is another sauce tomato similar to the Olpalka.  It is a determinate so will stop growing and producing on it's won about August.  It Does Not Require Support!!  Great for sauce and salsa.  Thick, meaty and has few seeds.

Super Beefsteak is another large tomato often reaching 2lbs in size.  Solid meaty and heavy producer.  This one is a hybrid and has disease resistance built in.  Does require support.

Last but not least another of my favorites the Cherokee Purple.  Another heirloom so seed can be saved from year to year.  It is believed the seed comes from the Cherokee Nation.  Another indeterminate  so stake this one.  The fruit is flattened and weighs 10-12oz.  The flesh and skin is soft and easily damaged but what a sweet tasty treat.

If you are a salsa lover don't forget the tomatillo.  Looks like a little like a small green tomatoes but grows inside a paper like husk.  Fruits are 2-3".  Only a few of these available so let me know if your interested.

Wow finally done with the tomatoes.  After talking about making salsa. I'm thinking about doing the herbs next.  Maybe that's the most logical next post.  Until then.  Char

Pepper pruning

The plants keep growing and the sun refuses to shine.  Yesterday was the first day in 11 days that the sun was visible for more than just a few minutes.  Put the tomatoes out for about 3 hours so they can start hardening off.  Unfortunately if I can only do that once in every 11 days it doesn't work very well.

Yesterday was also pepper pruning and transplanting day.  Pruning peppers provides a stronger bushier plant with higher yields.  Even after the blossoming tops are clipped off the plants are still 4"-5" tall with thick stems and glossy  leaves. They too want sun.  Even keeping the lights on for 12-16 hours it just doesn't equal sunshine.
 Here are some pics of the types of peppers available.

Both yellow and orange bell peppers are available.  Great fresh and can be frozen for  those long winter days.

These lovely mini belle peppers are delicious and can be used fresh or frozen.  This past year I tried drying some.  Using them requires some patience as they have to be re-hydrated or they are tough.  I found them to be great for soups and other cooked dishes.










Other varieties are mild Jalepeno and Sweet banana.  None of the green belle peppers sprouted sorry can't provide those.

Transplanted the bigger tomatoes again.  They just keep growing but are getting weaker without sunlight.  Saturday is supposed to be sunny so will wait and see.

Until next time.  Char

UCC GARDEN PROJECT

After looking over the first post it appears a description of what we are about is needed.  The idea came from discussion on meeting the annual goals of our church.  One of which is greening and sustaining our church and community.  A combined group from trustees, facilities, missions and general membership met to discuss the feasibility of expanding our local mission experience by creating a garden with produce from it going to CADA.
In the early meetings we discussed the need to maintain the existing prairie behind the church and the difficulty with poor soil elsewhere on church grounds.  Other than the prairie area, construction rubble is below grade in available ground.  Going above ground will be costly the first year or two and self sustaining from there on. The decision to move forward was brought to church council and specific planning began.  At present the garden committee six members that are moving the project forward.
As I visit with people about our garden project I realize this has sparked interest in some who have never gardened in the past, many who have but stopped for some reason, and of course those who are current growers.  As a result I will attempt to address all areas including uses of herbs and veggies.  Hmmmm  all this from one who struggles with a computer!  Well let's see what happens.
I became a master gardener back in the late '70s.  Due to a number of life events I have not been able to provide the community support that is a part of the master gardener program.  However, I have continued to learn and grow throughout the years and am now able to give back to community through this project..

Let's start with some early gardening planting.  In recent years the soil had warmed enough to plant onions, peas, and potatoes.  For those who have never gardened before, onions, peas, and potatoes along with some others can be planted as soon as soil has warmed somewhat and moisture level is reduced.
Yesterday I did a quick bit on peas and plan to feature available varieties of plants as we move forward.

Hopefully. the weather will mellow soon so we can begin the outside work on constructing the actual garden space.

Till next time  Char