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.

Sax in the Garden

On Thursday  Aug 27 at 1:00, we will be serenaded by a sax soloist while we relax in the garden.  We invite you to join us.  He will play for about 15 minutes (we might relax a little longer than that). Come if you can.  We might do a little planting/weeding before and after and of course you are always welcome to help with that too, but this all about the sax.

Ready for class

We have seating in the garden!  Check it out. I know you will see me out there with my students.  Also a great place to take a break. 

Work day

Come check out the garden and give us a hand on August 3 at noon.  We plan to assemble and place two benches,  do some planting and weeding, and maybe a little harvesting too.  The trail is delayed until we have a crew of eight volunteers and a bobcat.  Please let us know if you are willing and able and we will make a plan.

Permaculture in action 3

If you have viewed the garden lately you would see an area with what looks like unmaintained grass amongst the newly planted trees.  To us this is a beautiful thing.  It is the rye that we planted last fall as groundcover.  We thought the geese got most of it but I guess  there was enough to share.  The rye was cut long enough to still provide some ground cover but all that was cut is now mulch which is decomposing to make our soil.  As you may recall this area has very poor soil, so we are building it up.  We covered the area with cardboard which will decompose, slashed the ground cover for mulch, and our plantings will further improve the soil by adding nitrogen or sending a taproot deep into the ground.

Friday June 5 Work day

On Friday we are going to do some planting and general improvement of the area.  We will attempt a trail  at the end of summer or fall when more people are around to help, so we will not be working on Saturday.  We will also place a bench made by our very own welding student, Mark Cerney.  Thanks to Tom Baldwin and Mark for that.