Garden recap

2016 Garden Reflections...
Thanks to students Baker Felix and Kiana Martinson, we were able to use our own compost in the raised beds.  Also thanks to students Jody Brooks and Ali Ogo, we planted seedlings  that we started in the spring and were able to harvest this fall with cabbage and kohlrabi being the most successful. Thanks to past student Alex Crum, community member Marlise Riffel, Jonah Giermann, Jody Brooks, student Ashley Altobelli, Tom Baldwin, Deb Falkowski, and of course Craig and Monica for planting, weeding, donating etc.  Also thanks to those who helped keep the garden going in the summer by watering and good thoughts, especially Sue Twaddle and Brenda Kochevar who attend all of our garden events, and to all of the Environmental Science students who planted, weeded, and enjoyed the garden.  It was great seeing some classes meet in the garden sitting area.  We had four pears, currants, aronia, 2 plums and elderberries, which is great since we just planted them two years ago.  We look forward to seeing our new perennials next season and enjoying the last of the kohlrabi this fall, although Jody has dibs on most of it.

Winding down

On Friday,  September 23, we will spend a few hours 10:00- 2:00 or so, tidying up the gardens and planting perennials.  Please let us know at k.giermann@mesabirange.edu if you can help out.  The more help we have the more perennials we can plant.  We also need large cardboard which can dropped off in C163.

Harvest snack

Our Northern MN growing season is winding down.  Our Mesabi garden had some great kale, kohlrabi, cabbage, peas, chamomile, and broccoli.  We did not have good tomatoes this year.  Let's celebrate the harvest by having some kale chips and kohlrabi at 10:00 on Wednesday, September 14- in the garden if it is a nice day but in the commons if not.

Walk postponed

Postponed walk by request due to weather.  New date will be posted once it is determined.  There are things ready to harvest-kale, chard, broccoli, and kohlrabi.  I think I ate all the pea pods but there will be more.  For kale and chard just take the leaves you will use, so we have some all season.  If you need to know what and how to harvest, you can contact Kim.

Take a walk on the Wild Side

Let's meet in the garden at 11:00 on July 11.  Kim will identify some plants and give some harvesting tips.  We will then walk to Olcott park where Dr. Aaron Kelson will lead tree identification.  We will have some field guides available.  You can join in for some or all of the walk.  We planned it at 11:00 so that maybe people can do it over a lunch break.  Let's hope for good weather.

Last planting

We have most of the planting done.  This year we are focusing on improving existing areas.  We planted the raised beds which feature tomato plants from our own saved seeds.  The fence area features green and yellow tomatoes.  We also planted some perennials and other vegetables along the fence.  We are still working on the soil in the fence area.  We have been able to use our own compost in the beds.  June 14 we will be weeding and doing our last planting for this phase.  If you plan to help, even for one hour,  please e-mail me at k.giermann@mesabirange.edu, because if we have a few more people to dig holes and haul compost, I will bring transplants from home, but it's too much to do with four just four people.  I plan to be there from 10-12 but depending on schedules of those who plan to help, I could change the time.  If you want to help but are not available on the days posted, you can always weed by focusing on quack grass and watering with pond water.  While you are there be sure to pick a few chamomile flowers for a cup of tea.  You need one teaspoon for one cup of water.  I have a donation of plants and bulbs in the fall so hopefully I can get some help with that.  I will keep you posted.

Garden season

We have been making our plans and starting our seeds for the 2016 garden season.  The sitting area has been put to use by some Mesabi classes on our nice spring days.  We hope to see more people enjoying the garden.  Last year a new fence was put up by our starter bed.  We plan to focus on that area with the planting of some perennial flowers, squash, green and yellow tomatoes, and Brassicas which include brussel sprouts, kale, cabbage, kohlrabi, and broccoli.  These choices will allow us to plant May 10 and possibly have a harvest when students return in the fall.  Our second planting in June will include the more frost sensitive plants like tomatoes, basil, and flowers.  We are also going to plant in our raised beds and improve the area that we planted over the last two years, and transplant a few trees.  Those who are helping that day will be hauling soil, digging, weeding, watering, and planting.  Join us if you can, even if only for a short time or to offer encouragement.  Bring your own garden tools if you can (we do have some if not).  Also, if you have any extra of the above mentioned plants bring those too. Let's wait on the frost sensitive plants until next time though.  We plan to start around 10:00.  If the weather is not cooperative, we will try for the next day.  As always send your positive energy.