Hello Members,

The gardens are looking so nice.  Many of us are already harvesting and the food bank donations are growing.

Upcoming Work Party — Saturday, June 3rd:  We have a lot of maintenance projects so if you are able to attend and complete at least 2 of your required Community Service hours (more if you bring additional workers) we would really appreciate it. Assignments will be given at the gazebo from 7:15 to 7:30.

Please let us know if you will be attending by replying to this email so we can plan accordingly.
All Plots are required to have 2 hours completed by Dec. 31.  Don’t procrastinate — come Saturday!  As a reminder the garden will be closed Saturday morning to the general membership during the work party and will open at 9:30.

Orchard Work Parties:  The Orchard work parties are every other Tuesday from 5 to 7 and are by appointment only by signing up at the Gazebo. Also, individual appointments are available by contacting Alan Coles at:  lbcg.orchard@gmail.com. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Pet Adoption Event: On June 10th,  Animal Care Services  will be having a very large event from 10 AM to 4 PM. Delays to enter the garden are expected. We will have a booth at the event and we have several volunteers to represent us there.

July 29th ~ Annual Picnic: We are excited to have a picnic this year on Saturday, July 29th starting at 4 PM.  Details will be coming out soon.

Entrance to the garden: We have been informed by the Nature Center that they will be enforcing the requirement to have a garden vehicle tag to get past the entry station. If you do not have your tag visible, you will be required to pay the entrance fee or return home to obtain your tag. This has always been the requirement but due to recent issues in and around the Nature Centers, this is being enforced with full support of the Board — for everyone’s protection and security. Everyone should have their Blue Tags 2023/2024.

Accessibility at the Garden: Ours is an inclusive garden.  We welcome people with all levels of abilities.  Please keep this in mind as we use the garden facilities:

  • We have one accessible table in the gazebo.  Keep it clean and clear for everyone to use.
  • Try to keep the road access pathways clear.
  • Keep plants and support structures from obstructing the pathways.
  • Return wheelbarrows and wagons in an orderly way.  Don’t turn wagons upside down or leaning over.
  • Drive the posted speed limit (5 mph) and watch for gardeners on the roads.
  • When pulling out onto the main road, please be careful no other cars are coming.
  • Park on the pavement to allow gardeners access to areas adjacent to the road. Please don’t park on the edge of the road or in pathways. There’s metal stakes sticking out, which can puncture tires.
  • Wind hoses back on the rack and not a tangled mess or obstructing the pathway.

 

Snakes in the Garden: Mid-spring is the time of year when snakes come out hunting for food.  There are 4 types of native snakes that live around the gardens and all are protected.   None of them are harmful to people.  They can sometimes be seen during the day basking in the sun or hiding under garden equipment.  They are an important part of the ecosystem.   Gophers, rats, mice and other small rodents are their main diet. If you see a snake, leave it alone and let it move away.  Watch for them on the roads in the early morning or evening.  Do not try to pick one up.  If there are any issues, notify Animal Control.

Grasshopper Bait: Unfortunately this year we can’t get any grasshopper bait. It’s all been sent to Oregon and Washington for the crops.  Just need to take care of them yourselves.

Garden Reviews:  All plots will be reviewed on the first week of every month with a 2nd review in 10 days.  Please be sure your plot is in compliance and dig out all weeds in the plot and pathways and be sure that there is no overgrowth of plants outside of your plot borders.

Zoom meeting:  If any member would like to  join the board meeting, please reply to this email to receive the link. The next meeting is June 5, @ 6:30 PM.

Thank You for the Food Bank Contributions:  The amount of produce contributed to the Long Beach Mission and other charities was amazing this year.  Those of you who contributed your 10% and more should feel very good about this at a time when so many are in need.

Happy Gardening!

Greg Marcotte