April 2022

Hello Members,

We are coming to the end of the 2021/22 garden year which means renewals are due, winter plants need to be removed and plots need to be fully planted by Monday, May 1. 

New Board of Directors:  I will be leaving my position as President and would like to welcome and introduce Greg Marcotte as our new LBCGA President. I will be serving as the 2nd V.P and President’s advisor and will assist in the transition.  We are excited to have several new board members that will start on May 1.

Officers:

Greg Marcotte –        President      714 262-6735   gregmarcotte56@gmail.com
Nancy Bernstein –    1st V. P.        562 477-1598    nancybernstein@aim.com
Kathy Jarvis –            2nd V. P.       714 716-7002   info@lbcg.org
Mary Sue Omelia –    Secretary     562 743-3264   marysue.omelia@gmail.com
Carol Meyer –            Treasurer     562 343-3326    crmeyer411@gmail.com

Directors:

Nancy Alperin – Assist Orchard Manager
Lonnie Brundage – Food Bank Deliveries
Nina Burgeno – IT Manager
Alan Coles – Orchard Manager
Anita Cordova – Food Bank Manager
Chuck Davis – Maintenance/Fencing & Raised Bed Approvals/ Border Boards
Frank Dayak – Critter Control
Dan Freleaux – Boy Scout Coordinator
Milton Johnson – Work Party Assist and Water Distribution
Sher Meyers – Work Party Check-Out

Garden Plot Renewal:   Due in garden mailbox or postmarked end of day Sunday, April 30 — late submissions will be assessed a $45 late fee.  Must include Renewal Form, $160 check or M.O., and copies of DL and utility bill.  Please get them in!

May 1 Planting Deadline:  All plots are required to be fully planted with plants of the season by Monday, May 1 so we have one more weekend to complete your plot.  Any seed planting must be clearly marked so the row monitors and Board know that you have planted.

The following cole crops are required to be removed by May 1 to reduce spread of aphids and disease:

  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Also remove Kale and any other plants if they are infested with aphids.

Board members and Row Monitors will be checking the plots the 1st week of May. Here is the current row monitor list so feel free to contact your row monitor if you have questions about any information left at your plot.

Greg Marcotte

A,  B,  C

gregmarcotte56@gmail.com

Doug Mullin

D,  E,  F

dougmullin@gmail.com

Fran McFate

G,  H,  I,  K

fmcfate08@yahoo.com

Milton Johnson

J

miltonjphnson77@yahoo.com

Rita O’Neill

L,  M

oneillrita@ymail.com

Joan Criswell

N,  O

jehacris@gmail.com

Barbara Santage

P

angelwingsgarden@yahoo.com

Carol Meyer

Q

crmeyer411@gmail.com

Sunflowers, Artichokes, Asparagus and Corn: These plants must be planted at least 4 feet in from the borders to prevent shading of neighboring plots and obstruction of pathways. Artichokes and all other plants need to be trimmed regularly to avoid animals hiding underneath them.

May 7 Work Party:   This starts a new year to begin obtaining your 4 hours of community service — do it now before it gets hot and don’t wait until the last minute.  We need your help as there are a number of assignments that are critical — YOUR HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.  Remember, there is no working in individual plots during the work party and children must be over the age of 13 to participate. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by replying to this email –– it just helps us to plan the assignments.

Permanent Assignments:   There are also Permanent Assignments that you can do in your own time and that do not require attendance at a Saturday Work Party.  We currently need someone to weed the Lantana at the gazebo and an on-call Food Bank Delivery person.  If interested, email us at info@lbcg.org.

Rosemary and Lavender: Rosemary and Lavender are perennials which need to be trimmed to no higher or wider than 3 feet and the main stem shall not be greater than 1-2 inches in diameter, resulting in a tree-like plant that is larger than needed and is difficult to remove.  Keep in mind that we do have a community herb garden at the South/East corner of the garden so you can save the space in your own plot of having to grow these large plants. It is very important to cut back your artichokes, rosemary. lavender and other bushy plants that harbor animals. Please help us keep the critters under control by maintaining your plants.

Manure and Chips: There is currently ample manure and chips in the corners.  We are noticing pathways that are not chipped — chips are added to cover dirt — do not make them higher than the border boards.  If you have a weed problem in the pathways, do NOT just cover with chips as this will only increase the problem.  Dig out the weeds and even consider a weed barrier and then chip.

The Annual Picnic Is Back:  Save the date! The picnic will be July 30, 2022 at 4 PM. Details and volunteer opportunities will be announced in next month’s update.

Watering issues by Alan Coles:

Perhaps your artichoke is limp or your squash leaves look wilted.  It may look like the plant needs water but it may be something else.  First, check the soil to see if it is still moist.  If it is, then it may be one of these problems:

Overwatering

Plant roots need oxygen.  Too much water causes roots to die back and the plant is unable to uptake water and nutrients.  The symptoms of overwatering and underwatering are almost the same, so be sure you know which problem you have.  Improve your soil condition by adding compost and gypsum.  Water carefully to allow it to soak down to the roots.  Don’t flood your soil by letting the water run from a hose.http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/ENVIRON/poorwater.html

Root knot nematodes

These microscopic eel-like worms live and feed within plant roots forming distinctive galls.  They tend to be most active during warm weather.  Inspect roots when removing plants.  There are no easy ways to control them.  Rotate plants in your garden.  Sterilize your digging tools to prevent spreading them.  Don’t allow water to flow over ground.  Choose nematode resistant varieties.http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7489.html

Soil borne pathogens

Soil pathogens such as phytophthora can destroy plant roots.  Look for discolored lower leaves or stems.  The plant can usually be pulled out without much resistance.  Phytophthora spreads easily in moist, warm soil so careful watering and proper soil management is necessary to keep it from spreading.http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74133.html

Happy Gardening!

Kathy & Carol