| | | Interbay P-Patch Newsletter | Wednesday, May 2nd 2012
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Greetings! ~
This week in the garden.... |
Grape Arbor Repair or Rebuild? Help Leadership Team Decide
By Donna Kalka
When Anne and Mac Magruder moved to Interbay III in 1997, they brought their grape arbor and grape vines with them and planted them at the head of their plot. After 15 years, the arbor has shown some wear. The benches have decayed and to the couple's dismay, two of the grape varieties aren't as sweet as their marriage.
To celebrate their 52nd wedding anniversary which is fast approaching, Anne and Mac want to fund the rebuilding of the grape arbor.
Bruce Swee, corn grower extraordinaire and gifted inventor, drafted three illustrations to show what a rebuild might look like. The illustrations can be found on the Interbay P-Patch blog. They are close, but not to scale and are meant only for conversation purposes.
The first concept simply replaces the structure minus the old seating components.
The second concept takes a departure, from the original grape arbor concept to more of an open pergola or trellis covered area. This would increase the covered garden's seating area for refracted sun shade and rain protection.
The third concept retains the elements of number two, and adds a support for grape vines. This would allow a window view to the west, and contain the grapes to hedge height. This also would eliminate the overhead mess the grapes can make, and allow better pruning access and care of the vines.
Concepts two and three would include a polycarbonate cover material like Makrolon, similar to what is on the shed and kiosk roofs.
Rolf Hokansson, lavender growing expert and Assistant Manager at Swanson's nursery has already donated Interlaken grape vines which thrive in our climate and bear sweet, edible fruit.
Bruce will be at the grape arbor on Saturday, May 12 from 11 am to 11:30 am to describe the project in greater detail and answer any questions you might have.
Leadership Team is looking forward learning your thoughts about the project before making a decision. And City of Seattle staff will be notified if a rebuild is approved. If you can't make the presentation, you can email your comments to Leadership Team Coordinator, donna.kalka@gmail.com before May 12 |
Grass Clippings
By Susan Casey
Want to reduce weeds? Keep soil from drying out? Add nitrogen to your soil? Sprinkle grass clippings around all your seedlings, and across all bare soil. We've got plenty and they need to be used.
Also, grass clippings and leaves are all you need to make a bin full of hot compost.
Contact Susan Casey scompost@q.com for further information. |
Beekeeping News
By Jennifer Carlson
The bees are buzzing and unfortunately several p-patchers have gotten stung by a very cranky hive when the beekeepers were working with them. We're so sorry!
That hive was re-queened last weekend, which should make them behave more calmly.
The beekeeping schedule varies, depending on the weather and our work schedules.
This year, we will take several measures to let people know when we are working with the bees:
We will place an "A" board with a beekeeping sign in the plaza prior to and an hour after we have been working with the bees. We will also have a flag waving above the bee compound while we are working so that p-patchers can see it from a distance.
A "Bee Sting Kit" will be in the toolshed with Benadryl, if a p-patcher or visitor chooses to use it.
We hope this will alleviate encounters with cranky bees!
Thank you,
Regina Anderson
Jennifer Carlson. |
Dahlia Tubers Sell Like Hot Potatoes
By Donna Kalka
Interbay P-Patch had a great turnout at last Saturday's Dahlia Tuber Sale thanks to Communication Co-Leaders Judy Hucka and Terry Hunt who publicized the event. The $2 a tuber sale has netted $378 so far, reports Treasurer Becky Blackstock. Tuber Sale Part 2 takes place this coming Saturday, May 5 from 10 am to 2 pm.
There are 25 dahlia varieties to choose from this year and Mother's Day is May 13 for those of you seeking the perfect gift for mom.
Dahlia Diva Denise Read logged in several hours digging up, donating, dividing and identifying tubers and brought her wonderful friend Audrey to help prepare for the sale. They were joined by Becky Blackstock, Mary Machala, Dee Hirsch and Evelyn Crichton who are very skilled at using shovels, pitchforks and sharp knives.
Dazzling tuber stock was supplied by dahlia growers Jean Unger, Ray Schutte, Karen Whitner (Lavender Flats Dahlia bed), Alice Burgess, Denise Read, Evelyn Crichton and Donna Kalka. Their generosity and great growing soil is greatly appreciated. |
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.
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| | 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!
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