Aug 14 work day successful

August 14 was a good day because we got a lot done, but yet a little bit sad because we it was our last day working with "bobcat" Toby.  We placed the arbor, made some raised beds, sheet-mulched the area to be the first guild, and made a spiral herb garden.  You may notice areas with straw.  That is temporary.  Those areas will be paths covered with mulch but we needed a place holder for the sheet mulching and it was available.  We are working on getting a sustainable water source (like the pond or rainwater catchment with a pipe going to the area in need of water) to water the guilds.  Hopefully we get something figured out soon so that we can plant some tress before winter because fall and spring are the best times to plant trees.  If anyone has ideas or know-how to get a watering system please let us know.  I will post in permaculture in action about spiral herb gardens and guilds in the coming weeks.  Thanks to Toby one more time.  He says he will come back to help this fall if we organize a Saturday workday.  Any takers?

update

Our August 5 workday went well.  We didn't accomplish all of our goals but it was a lofty list.  We assembled and stained the arbor, completed the sitting pad, sheet mulched (see permaculture in action), planted some donated perennials and began path and trail construction.  We also have added a new element to our plan which is going to tie it all together-a walking trail.  So far we plan to put in about a quarter mile trail but as the project progresses over the years so will the trail we hope.  Stay tuned for the announcement of our next workday.  Thank you to those who helped and sent those positive energy vibes.  Our next job will include moving some sod so even 15 minutes helps. 

Progress

Ground has been broken.  "Bobcat Toby" previously know just as Toby, Monica, and students have been busy preparing our site.  On August 5th we hope to build our sitting pad, construct the arbor, and build our spiral herb garden.  We can use some help.  We know that many people can't join us until later in the day and that is just fine.  Bring some work clothes and join us when you can.  The work will involve carrying rocks, shoveling, hauling, running errands, digging etc.  Let us know if we can plan on your help to better plan our day, but we take all walk-ins for any amount of time.  If you have rocks to donate they can be placed inside the fence.  We will need them on Tuesday.  We can use as many as we can get.

Happy Summer

Happy Summer to all.  We have been making progress with our garden project.  We have a watering crew lined up for May to keep our plants alive until we can plant.  Someday soon the weather will cooperate.  We are working with IRE (Iron Range Engineering) on some pond and stream hopes and dreams.  We are also consulting with Boreal Natives which is a division of  Prairie Restorations to decide appropriate plantings around the pond.  The biggest news is that we will  be starting construction on a sitting area in June for relaxation and learning thanks to some funding through a Spring 2014 Innovative Grant from the Mesabi Range College Foundation.   This will be a work in progress for a long time. Suggestions, money, labor, and donations are always welcome. I will post work dates here through the summer.  I think you can subscribe to the blog so that you will get an e-mail when we post updates.

Thanks to all of who came to learn about our garden project.  We had students, staff, faculty, and community members in attendance.  What a great start!  Herbal tea and many good ideas were shared.  We discussed helping out with watering during the summer.  Now we are hoping to get some funding to begin making an outdoor learning area.  In the meantime plant donations are being accepted.  Please coordinate with me.  We have received several tree donations, soil, starter trays, and perennials.  Two elderberry trees were planted and many herb seeds have been started.  Being involved doesn't require a time commitment.  We just want positive energy to keep us moving forward.  Please bring large cardboard to C168.  Thanks for supporting our project.

Join us on Earth day (Tuesday, April 22 at 11:00 in C151) for a brief overview of our project.  We will talk about a forest garden, native species, pond rehab, an outdoor classroom, organic gardening, community connections, and other hopes and dreams. 

Permaculture

We are starting a "permaculture" project at the Virginia campus.  We are going to plant in a way that minimizes fertilizing, watering, and general maintenance while getting useable products like food.  The way to do this is to completely cover the ground with plants that work together.  I have developed a list of plants suitable for our area and the spacing they will require.  Each plant has to serve several functions.  At first it will not be a work of beauty but as the trees and shrubs mature it will be attractive. I am thinking of it as a way to bring something exciting to all aspects of Mesabi.  It will provide many learning opportunities, demonstrate sustainability practices, provide food awareness and be a nice place to take a break or eat lunch (during the few months without snow).  It has both short-term and long-term benefit and the community will be able to see our progress.