The Garden Rests, Gratitude Grows: November News
October Recap
Community gardeners gathered to expand our garden fence, successfully adding an impressive 1,000 square feet to the garden. What initially seemed like a daunting task of intense, back-breaking labor turned out to be a collaborative effort that showcased the strength of our community. The process was made significantly easier thanks to the combined support of numerous volunteers and an auger! This is an exciting addition to the community garden that will allow us to increase both our capacity and the benefits of being a community garden member.
November Events At A Glance
The 2024 growing season is now officially closed and it's time to overwinter the garden footprint. Let’s come together to wrap up the season and set the stage for future growth.
Garden Cleanup & Winter Prep - Saturday
Saturday, November 2, 2024, 10:00 AM 1:00 PM
Garden Cleanup & Winter Prep - Sunday
Sunday, November 3, 2024, 10:00 AM 1:00 PM
Giving Thanks
It's a time to reflect on the abundance around us—nourishing plants, dedicated gardeners, and the supportive community that cultivates this shared space. This season, let's give thanks for the growth we've experienced together and look forward to the harvests yet to come.
This year has been one of notable achievement for Mid Shooks Run Community Garden. Our efforts in outreach and engagement have paid off, resulting in such a high level of interest that we now have a waitlist for new members. We are grateful to have raised and invested over $3,000 into the garden, allowing us to replace essential equipment and augment our space with two new picnic tables and fencing materials.
Each of these accomplishments reflects the hard work and dedication of our community, and we are thankful for everyone who contributed to this success. It clearly showcases the incredible teamwork and unwavering commitment of our dedicated members, as well as the vital support and encouragement from our guidance team. As a result of our combined efforts, we have a flourishing garden that not only provides wholesome food but also strengthens vital local connections.
Other Announcements
Call For Ideas. With the expansion of our community garden, we are planning to build a food forest and want your input! Please share your thoughts on plant varieties that thrive in our climate, require minimal maintenance, or offer unique flavors and benefits. Consider plants that can provide fruits, nuts, or foliage, as well as those that support pollinators and enhance biodiversity. You might suggest perennial vegetables or nitrogen-fixing plants that can work harmoniously with our existing setup. If you have an idea, please reach out!
The 2024 Growing Season is Officially Over. Ensure your plot is left in the same (if not better) condition than it was found. Only perennials, if any exist, should remain and they should be managed for appearance. Remove all stakes, strings, poles, tomato cages, Wall-o-Waters, and any other items that may easily blow away from your plot. Take these items home with you - please don’t contribute to the tomato cage graveyard!
This is a great example of what plots should look like after end of season cleanup is complete.
Free Plot Winterizing Supplies in the Greenhouse. Give the 2025 growing season a boost by planting a fall cover crop in your plot: improve soil health, enhance nutrient retention, add nitrogen, suppress weeds, and prevent erosion during the winter months. Here’s how it works:
Azomite.
Azomite is a natural mineral product derived from volcanic ash that has been fossilized over millions of years. It is rich in trace minerals and essential nutrients, making it a popular choice among gardeners to replenish missing minerals.
After you have removed all annuals and infrastructure from your plot, distribute 1/4 pound (for 4’x8’ plots) or 1/8 pound (for 4’x4’ plots) of azomite across your soil and gently work it into the top 3 inches of the soil.
Fall Cover Crop.
At end of season cleanup, sow the cover crop seeds in your plot and lightly mulch with straw. No further care is required.
After the cover crop flowers in the spring (or you’re ready to kick off the 2025 growing season), till the cover crop into the soil. Viola! Green manure!
We have a large bag of Azomite and several pounds of cover crop seeds that are a blend of Austrian Field Peas, Crimson Clover, Hairy Vetch, Annual Rye, and Winter Rye in the greenhouse. Please help yourself to amend your plot!
If you're looking for azomite or cover crop seed in the greenhouse, the bags are pictured, above.
Next steps for the 2025 growing season. If you’re interested in gardening with us next year, that’s great! In December, a member of the guidance team will reach out individually to our community garden members over email, gauge their interest in the 2025 growing season, and advise on next steps. Typically, we’ll ask for a yes / no decision by the end of January. If the response if “yes,” we’ll also email an invoice and ask that plot fees be paid by the end of February. Members who wish to retain their plots the next growing season can do so in perpetuity, provided they remain current on plot fees.
Help us plan for the 2025 growing season. If you know you’re coming back next year (or not coming back), no need to wait until December, let us know now. By doing so, you give our guidance team a head start on all the great work they do in the background to maintain our shared space.
