Hello Members,

Work Party this Saturday, September 3 from 7:30 – 9:30am:  Get your Community Service hours completed early.  Don’t wait until the end of the year and we need your help now! All members must have 2 hours (of the 4) completed by December 31, 2022.   As a reminder, the garden is closed during the work party and only participants are allowed in the garden until 9:30am.  If interested, please sign up by responding to this email so we can plan accordingly.

Upcoming Water Pipeline Repair:  From September 6-20, the Metro Water District is repairing a main line and is asking that irrigation water be restricted. It is important to understand that this is voluntary but a meeting was called by the City with all community gardens in an effort to request our support for this important repair.  Recommendations include:

  • Be mindful of water usage.
  • Use the voluntary restriction period to clean out beds and remove summer plantings to prepare for winter crops.  PLANT AFTER SEPTEMBER 20!!
  • Start seeds at home and if plants are purchased, harden them at home until September 21.
  • Water in the evenings.
  • Use mulch.
  • Prepare soil moisture in advance of the voluntary restriction – water well the days before the restriction – September, 3-5.

Climate change is here!  We all need to play a part and the LBCG can be a leader in demonstrating to the City that we are a model garden.

You may also be hearing rumors about changing our current garden water system to recycled water.  Well, it’s not a rumor and the Board is investigating the possibility.  Our current water is not considered potable except for the drinking fountain which is on a separate line.  Although we are investigating, no final decision has been made.  Besides climate change as a driving factor, the increasing cost of water will eventually force us to raise garden fees. We are seriously considering conversion to recycled water which is treated to a high standard.  Recycled water is currently being used  by farms and orchards without negative effects on health. Recycled water is acceptable for organic farming. Some of the advantages include:

  • 40-50% reduction in water costs
  • Up to $15K incentive from the water department towards the conversion
  • Better capability of tracking water usage as well as leaks
  • Possible replacement of 25 year old corroded valves
  • Possible support from major benefactor
  • Implementation of washing stations
  • Recognition by the City as a leader in climate change.

More information will be forthcoming as the Board investigates all of the aspects of such a conversion. If it is decided to move forward, education will be provided to members.

Fall is Coming: Hard to believe but Fall is just around the corner. Therefore, it is time to begin to clean plots of dying, rotted plants and vegetables.  Old overgrown plants are a perfect harbor for critters to hide under and develop nests (also under composting and storage bins). Begin trimming and even removing plants. Depending on the weather, you can start planting some winter crops after the water main repair, September 21. The deadline for full winter planting is November 15 along with removal of tomatoes, eggplants and peppers to reduce spread of disease – no exceptions.

Dirt Pile:  Do not add dirt to the manure corners!  Extra dirt removed from your plot goes into the DIRT PILE on the southwest side of the garden. You can take dirt or leave dirt from plot Q-14, clearly marked with signage.  If you are making raised beds, consider using dirt from the Dirt Pile and amend it.  Dirt is dirt – it’s what you put into it and how you care for the dirt that makes it fertile.

Garden Share Area: – Also in the SW Corner Behind the Manure/Next to Dirt Plot.  You can take materials left there or you can leave USEFUL materials you no longer want.  Do not leave junk, like sticks, rusty fencing, etc. — discard any junky items.  Many gardeners leave their tomato cages there where they will be available for anyone to take.

The other 3 corners of the garden are to be only used for administrative uses such as wheelbarrow parts, border boards, food bank items, etc.  Do not leave or take items from these locations as they are used by the garden board for maintenance.

Financial Picture: The Board is sharing the following information regarding finances of the LBCG in terms of income and expenses for 2021-22.  We are frugal with our members’ money and hope we can maintain our low yearly dues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Gardening!

Greg Marcotte