| | | Interbay P-Patch Newsletter | Wednesday, April 24th 2012
| |
Greetings! ~
This week in the garden.... |
Rain Can't Dampen High Spirits at Giving Garden Kickoff
By Jude Berman
An energetic bunch of enthusiasts came out in the late-afternoon drizzle on Tuesday, April 17, to kick off the 2012 Giving Garden season at Interbay. Joining Deb, Jude and a few dozen new and long-time volunteers were City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, Department of Neighborhoods head Bernie Matsuno, and representatives of the Mayor's office, the P-Patch office, Lettuce Link and Ballard Food Bank. After Jude crowned new Giving Garden Deputy Coordinators Meghan James and Monica Diaz with their kale tiaras, everyone sang the praises of Interbay's long-standing Giving Garden program, which is a model of its kind in the city, and donates (in a good year) over 5,000 pounds of organic produce, mainly to Ballard Food Bank. The Food Bank's clientele has almost doubled in five years, from 700 people a week to 1,300, and the food we grow is eagerly awaited every year. Beets in particular have become a big favorite since clients of Russian heritage have been sharing their borscht recipes! Food Bank clients even love the winter greens... which is a good thing, because we harvested 111 pounds of them on Tuesday. P-Patcher Dave Smead contributed another 43 pounds of greens, and Denis Read donated 5 pounds from her plot. While some people were harvesting, others were removing and stacking burlap, and then every wheelbarrow and spade in the garden was put to good use as we spread a huge pile of vegetable growing medium, purchased from Cedar Grove. It was wet, dirty work but everyone was grinning from ear to ear, happy to be back in the garden and catching up with each other. When all the tools had been washed and put away, all the greens weighed and stashed in the shed and all the paths swept clean, we gathered-as usual-for a mug of soup, a hunk of bread and a glass of wine. Here's to all of us, with special thanks to soupmakers Pat Fritz and Monica Diaz, and photographer Jef Jasun, who captured all the fun. Let the growing begin!!!
EVERYONE IS WELCOME every Tuesday from 5:30 pm until dusk. No experience necessary. Just show up and be prepared to learn something and enjoy yourself! |
The Chipper Chopper Is Now Ready For Use
By Susan Casey
The chipper chopper is now ready for use. Thanks to George Tracy, a new gardener this year, who gave it a tune up.
If you haven't received training, get in touch with Susan Casey(scompost@q.com, 282-3583) for a training session.
Chopping up plant material is a great way to add nitrogen back to your soil. What the soil produces should be returned to help it grow some more. |
Interbay Bee Compound Expansion Project Update
By Donna Kalka
Last Saturday, Assistant Beekeeper Jennifer Carlson delivered a presentation to Leadership Team members and gardeners on a project that would likely increase honey production and flower pollination at Interbay P-Patch. Concerns expressed at the presentation included losing valuable gardening space by cutting off the NW corner of Plot 043, blocking out southwestern sunlight from Plot 044 and relocating compost bins. Refer to page 5 in your 2012 Interbay P-Patch handbook for a general layout of the land.
Attendees noted that four compost bins were in disrepair and could be dismantled, downsized, reconfigured and moved next to the perimeter fence on Rose Way to accommodate the bee compound expansion. The adjustment would enable Plot 045 to increase in size and acquire a footprint very similar to Plot 056. Plot 044 would maintain its current access to southwest sunshine.
A vote was taken by 29% of the Leadership Team members on-site. A preliminary decision was made to proceed with the project.
Leadership Team members and gardeners who were unable to attend the presentation still have one week from this week's Interbay P-Patch newsletter publication date to comment on the proposal before the project moves forward. Please Email comments to Leadership Team Coordinator donna.kalka@gmail.com. Seattle Department of Neighborhoods staff is being included in the feedback loop as well.
Thank you to all who attended the presentation and contributed to the decision-making process. |
Composting at Interbay
By Susan Casey
Grass clippings -- The first decent size drop-off was available lasts weekend and soon disappeared. Some was used for the first batch of hot compost, some was incorporated directly into soil. It is a great way to amend your soil..
For more information, contact Susan Casey, scompost@q.com |
Ballard Food Bank, Area Restaurants, and Sozo Partner.
By Deb Rock
The Ballard Food Bank and area restaurants are embarking on a new partnership with Sozo!
What is Sozo?
Sozo is a local producer of award winning artisan crafted wines served in area restaurants. For every bottle of wine sold, 5-10 meals are funded for our neighbors in need through the Ballard Food Bank! These Ballard, Queen Anne, and Magnolia businesses are participating in this exciting endeavor. Visit them, enjoy wine, and give to your community!
Aster Coffee Lounge The Bal Mar Bastille Cafe & Bar Crow Restaurant and Bar The High-Life How To Cook A Wolf Laredos Mondello Queen Margherita Pizza Ray's Boathouse Staple and Fancy Ten Mercer Volterra Restaurant Zaw Pizza
For more information, contact Deb Rock at interbayfoodbank@hotmail.com |
Soup's On! Join Us for Saturday Soup Lunches in the Garden~
From now to May 12th Soup Lunches are coordinated by Pappy's Bench. Join us each Saturday at noon in the garden. Even Volunteer to get those hours accumulated early!
The best way to communicate your interest in volunteering for a task is to do one of the following...
1) Contact the Pappy's Bench Hospitality Area Leader
Mollie Wirtz molliewirtz@gmail.com or call 206-200-3241 and leave a message.
3) Enter your name on the Soup sign-up sheet in the tool shed next to the white board and sign up for your preferred date(s).
4) Tell someone from Leadership Team in person. (Check your handbook for photo identification).
Make sure to enter your volunteer hours in the red binder in the tool shed. Block Leader assignments will change May 19.
-- Bon Appétit and happy gardening.
|
| | Next Week's Newsletter Deadline-
Please submit any newsletter item to me on or before Tuesday evening, 7:00pm for Wednesday's release.
And a reminder to email all items to interbayppatchgarden@gmail.com or simply reply to the last newsletter you received.
And don't forget to visit our blog at Interbay P-Patch Garden Blog
Happy Gardening!
|
| | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.