Sharing Garden News

The Garden is once again producing a variety of tasty blessings for our neighbors in need. Six hundred pounds have been harvested and donated to the ICA Food Shelf so far this growing season with more still to come. The harvest has included cabbages, kale, collards, onions, tomatoes, carrots, beans, garlic, sweet pepper, hot peppers, eggplant, snap peas, rhubarb, rutabaga, kohlrabi, potatoes, sweet potatoes, herbs, and radishes. We're still waiting on the summer squashes and watermelon. Beets, spinach and mustard were planted the last week of August for a Fall crop of greens. A few of the beds have been seeded with cover crops (buckwheat, white clover, and field peas) to add nutrients back into the soil for next season and prevent wind erosion over the winter.

You may have noticed the fancy fencing around the garden. We have been battling deer and rabbits this year. It is amazing how high the deer can jump! The beet and swiss chard crops were enjoyed by these four-legged friends. They also munched on the beans and the tops of the hot peppers but left just enough of each plant behind to set fruit.

If you happen to be cleaning out your shed or garage to prepare for the winter season, we are looking for a few supplies: green steel T-posts, construction lumber (2x4, 2x6, etc), and large outdoor garden pots. Contact Suzanne Burman at mrs.burman@gmail.com if you'd like to donate any of these items or if you have questions.

The Sharing Garden will be put to bed for the winter mid to late October. The last activity, planting garlic for next year's crop, will be done at this time (just before the ground freezes).

Happy Gardening!