Hello Members,
The rain is giving us a great start to 2023! It is so nice to see so many beautiful gardens. We have enjoyed a great fall/winter season and the food bank donations have been bountiful. All your donations are greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work.
Work Party and Community Service Hours: The February 4th work party should draw a lot of members who have not completed their remaining 2 hours of service for the year. The January work party produced a significant amount of infrastructure work and we can all see it as we go around the garden. This is the important “give back” to the garden as a whole. As a reminder, all members need to complete 4 hours of community service no later than April 30, 2021 (new end of Calendar Year). Some 14 plots did not complete the 2 hours before December 31 and will now have to do a total of 6 hours so bring your friends and get it done before it’s crunch time! Everyone has adequate time in the next 3 months to get your 4 hours in and there will be no waiver of this requirement in order to renew your membership. Please do not wait until the end of April.
Upcoming Renewals: Renewals will be emailed in February and must be returned no later than April 30th. If you do not plan to renew your membership, please respond to this email so we can plan accordingly.
Weeds in Plots: Because of the rain, many plots have weeds and grasses growing prolifically – along with the veggies! As soon as the rain lets up, plot owners should get out to keep these under control. Row Monitors are informing us that the situation is getting bad. We understand that it is impossible to get out during the rain but immediately after is a great time as it is easy to dig up or pull the weeds.
Re-plumbing Project: We are happy to announce that we have the funds to improve the plumbing situation at the garden. The main line comes into the garden at the NW corner, near the handicap exit. It goes along the P Row and has 11 gate valves that allow us to perform repairs on the lateral lines without shutting off the whole garden. Over the last several years, these 28+ year old valves have ceased and several have broken which caused a major crisis and we scrambled to dig large holes and do repairs. We are so fortunate that the 4th and 5th council districts (Councilmembers Mungo and Supernaw) went to the City Council in December and allocated the majority of the funds–$10,000–to the project! The Board has approved the use of a portion of our reserves to fund the remaining $3,225. This will in no way increase dues in the next year and will allow us to again turn individual gate valves off to do repairs and ensure that our system is more secure into the future. Work is targeted to start on 1/16 or 1/17 (depending on weather). During the work, the west street will be closed off at times and the K-P rows will have to park on the center road. In addition, water will be turned off at times as the repairs require a transition to new piping (should be no problem with all the rain we have had and are getting!). We are so fortunate for the support of our council districts who recognize the value of the LBCG to the City and its constituents, like all of us. If you ever have the opportunity to thank them, please do so. Stacy Mungo has left office but I have a feeling she will always be a strong supporter of our garden. If you have questions, please feel free to talk with a Board member or email us back from this update.
Plots Available: We have several plots available and this is a great time to start preparing for a summer garden. Please help spread the word to refer Long Beach residents to our wonderful garden. If you have a neighborhood newsletter or online group, please let them know we have garden plots available. If you are dissatisfied with your plot, you can make a one-time change to another plot. You would be responsible to pay for any upgrades (raised beds, fences, etc) and you would have to completely clear your plot making it ready for another gardener. It may be helpful in some situations.
Theft: Just to let you know, we had another break-in and attempted theft at the Big Barn so you may see the window boarded up. The LBPD responded and is investigating. We will arrange to repair the window and continue to implement safety and security measures that are feasible.
Composting: Another reminder that all composting must be done in covered compost bins. No open piles are allowed as they attract vermin to our garden. Be sure to cut up your plants into small pieces and mix with garden soil to effectively start the composting process. Do not put any animal-based food scraps that might attract vermin to your bins and check regularly for any signs of vermin infestation. Compost piles need to reach high temperatures (140°F or higher) to effectively kill fungus and other pathogens. If your compost pile is not generating enough heat, you could end up contaminating your plot and spreading plant diseases to neighboring plots. So be sure to put only healthy plants into your bin or make sure your bin reaches the critical temperature long enough to generate clean compost. Compost bins will be checked for compliance.
Storage Boxes: These are the primary location for squirrel and rat nests. We found many unoccupied nests under the boxes in the past.. Vermin come into the garden at night and find food, then take it to a nearby safe location such as a dug out hole under a hard object. We recommend that boxes be placed several inches above ground supported by bricks and wood. Alternatively they can be placed on a hard surface of 12” X 12” X 1” blocks that extends a few inches beyond the box footprint.
Critters: Overgrown plants are ideal places for rodents to build their burrows. Trim back rosemary and other plants to only what you really need. Keep artichokes clear at the bottom. Don’t let plants get overgrown and messy. Maintain a clean garden. Store as little as necessary in your plot. Remove garden waste promptly. Organize trellises and other structures to take up as little space as possible. Be vigilant. Watch for recent rodent activity in your plot and fill in any new holes. If the problem persists, contact our critter control team (marking flags can be found in a bucket at the south end of the center garden road along Row Q. Place the flag where you found a gopher hole or other rodent problem in your plot, and then call Frank Dayak at 562-596-1975 and leave a message including your plot number). By taking these and other steps we can cut down on the damage rodents inflict on our crops.
Overgrown Rosemary, Lavender, & Other Perennial Plants: We have recently had to get strong men to remove extremely overgrown Rosemary and Lavender plants in several plots. These plants are supposed to be cut down to a height and width of no more than 3 feet. If on Rosemary and Lavender the trunk is larger than 2 inches or all woody inside, remove the plant and plant a new one as they grow fast.
Speed Caution: Again, we are seeing vehicles “flying” down the roads of LBCG. The maximum speed is 5 mph. This is a major safety concern as people can easily slip out between cars and if you would not see them, you could be liable for causing major injuries as the driver. Please slow down and help avoid us having to install more speed bumps.
Board Meeting: The next board meeting is Monday, February 6th at 6:30 PM by Zoom. If you’re interested in attending, please reply to this email with your name, plot # and email address to send a zoom invitation link.
Greg Marcotte
On Behalf of the LBCG Board