I am still harvesting strawberries! I really can not believe how great these strawberries have performed! They are pretty small because they have received almost no water this year, but most have produced runners, and some of the runners have fruited!
My friends and I are planting an herb circle around the two bee hives in the next month or so. We thought it would be good to have some herbs that we could just let go to full flower for the bees very near their hives. That way, we can influence their honey as well as keep people from getting too close accidentally to the hives. The bees need a little bit of a "runway" to aim for the hive, and if people are in their way, there could be trouble. If anyone would like to help clear the soil and plant new herb plants, please email me and we can decide what day works best for everyone.
peace-
Jayne
jayne @ sistersageherbs.com
Jun 30, 2010
Check out the post on www.honeypamphlet.wordpress.com/ Honey Pamphlet that shows the original tree that our swarm of bees came from. It is likely the same tree that another huge swarm came from at just about the same time (earthday) last year and reminds me of the tree at "pooh's corner".
Last night I was over at the garden digging out the strawberries and the herb patch. My friend and I are planting three patches of herbs and a place for the bees in the middle! We are going to start with the sage plants from the farm that need transplanting- and then the Thyme and maybe Hyssop since it is evergreen as well. We will probably try to plant some spring and fall bulbs to help provide the most pollen we can- although the blackberries all over the neighborhood are going off the hook right now!
The lettuce and peas will be harvested soon, so I will be planting some cherry Tomatoes and some beans next week and building a hoop house over the row. We will be seeding some quick growing crops like radish and lettuces one last time (maybe) before the fall plantings.
Anyone who wants to join me, call 206-898-2101 and I can tell you when I will be going to the garden to work. When we are planting, you are welcome to take home seeds or plants to grow for yourself, and of course take home some food.
Last night I was over at the garden digging out the strawberries and the herb patch. My friend and I are planting three patches of herbs and a place for the bees in the middle! We are going to start with the sage plants from the farm that need transplanting- and then the Thyme and maybe Hyssop since it is evergreen as well. We will probably try to plant some spring and fall bulbs to help provide the most pollen we can- although the blackberries all over the neighborhood are going off the hook right now!
The lettuce and peas will be harvested soon, so I will be planting some cherry Tomatoes and some beans next week and building a hoop house over the row. We will be seeding some quick growing crops like radish and lettuces one last time (maybe) before the fall plantings.
Anyone who wants to join me, call 206-898-2101 and I can tell you when I will be going to the garden to work. When we are planting, you are welcome to take home seeds or plants to grow for yourself, and of course take home some food.
May 20, 2010
Bean Pole Planting! Yeah, That is right- bean pole planting! Metal artist Erica Gordon of Steeltoestudios.com made us a cool bean pole that we will plant our beans around- we are making a bean teepee for the kids to play in! The area we want to plant in is not too difficult to weed (just horsetail & buttercup, but easy to pull- not grass) so it shouldn'take too long. We have to dig a pretty good hole and maybe reinforce with a bag of concrete, then we string it up and put the pole up and stake it, and plant pole beans up it. We are going to put chips around the pole in a circle so the kids can get in and play or chill in the shade. We also need to plant Tomatoes by June, so we have some weedin to do! become our friend on facebook and/ or come on down to plant/weed/ move chips/ and sign up to "adopt a row".
peace-
Jayne
May 9, 2010
Well, yesterday we had 6 people down at the garden, and worked one more row and half of another! Thanks Greg, Anita, Jeremiah, Arlo, Jayne And our spring into bed volunteer Mary Sue!!!!
On the way home I met with another neighbor who wants to help, so I told him he could weed the Rhubarb row when he has time, and we would work out what was to be planted there together. His son is in the culinary program at South Seattle Community College, so he is excited to grow the foods he is learning to cook.
So, I should explain what I have in mind for making your tasks easier in the garden each time you have a few hours or even 30 minutes to visit. I would like any of the core members from previous years to step up and "adopt a row" to weed. We will all help get the row started, then whoever adopts that row will be responsible for implementing the plan that I (Jayne) have mapped out. You can update me or directly onto the site (or facebook) to let us know what is going on with that crop. I hope this will be better for people who don't know what needs doing so they don't go and work.
The other thing we will need is harvesters when that time comes. The vegetables give more food when they are picked more often! We will have a lot of lettuces that will will start maturing into edible size (and will bolt if not harvested) around the same time, so we need to EAT THE FOOD WE PLANTED!! Another project that someone could take charge of is taking things to the food bank when we have abundance. I can work with you to let you know when that will be happening each week- enjoy the beautiful sunny day!
peace-
Jayne
On the way home I met with another neighbor who wants to help, so I told him he could weed the Rhubarb row when he has time, and we would work out what was to be planted there together. His son is in the culinary program at South Seattle Community College, so he is excited to grow the foods he is learning to cook.
So, I should explain what I have in mind for making your tasks easier in the garden each time you have a few hours or even 30 minutes to visit. I would like any of the core members from previous years to step up and "adopt a row" to weed. We will all help get the row started, then whoever adopts that row will be responsible for implementing the plan that I (Jayne) have mapped out. You can update me or directly onto the site (or facebook) to let us know what is going on with that crop. I hope this will be better for people who don't know what needs doing so they don't go and work.
The other thing we will need is harvesters when that time comes. The vegetables give more food when they are picked more often! We will have a lot of lettuces that will will start maturing into edible size (and will bolt if not harvested) around the same time, so we need to EAT THE FOOD WE PLANTED!! Another project that someone could take charge of is taking things to the food bank when we have abundance. I can work with you to let you know when that will be happening each week- enjoy the beautiful sunny day!
peace-
Jayne
May 4, 2010
Hi Friends!
We are now going to be a volunteer site for the Spring into Bed event that is taking Seattle by storm this weekend! I will be there from about 9-3, but the volunteers will be there between 10-2, so if you are interested, and would like to help coordinate the volunteers, please email me and I will give you a sector or a project to be in charge of. Before the event we could use a general clean up of the area for safety. Again, contact me if you have any questions- jayne@sistersageherbs.com. This weekend is also the West Seattle Garage Sale weekend, so spread the word- Saturday is a great day to be in West Seattle.
We are now going to be a volunteer site for the Spring into Bed event that is taking Seattle by storm this weekend! I will be there from about 9-3, but the volunteers will be there between 10-2, so if you are interested, and would like to help coordinate the volunteers, please email me and I will give you a sector or a project to be in charge of. Before the event we could use a general clean up of the area for safety. Again, contact me if you have any questions- jayne@sistersageherbs.com. This weekend is also the West Seattle Garage Sale weekend, so spread the word- Saturday is a great day to be in West Seattle.
Apr 30, 2010
In between the hale downpours Jeremiah, Jayne and The Gordon-Gleasman's managed to plant 53 strawberry plants!! The 2 & 5 year olds brought compost over from last year's pile with their little toy wheelbarrow and Jeremiah brought more with the adult toy wheelbarrow that lives at the garden...
We still need to plant the rest of the berries. Jayne will be there around 4 with the plants. We need more rows turned and weeded for the berries and also for the seedlings we have coming along on my porch. If anyone has a warm spot for sprouting summer seeds, I have an extra florescent light to lend you for the job. Come down and talk to Jayne today or email jayne@sistersageherbs.com.
We still need to plant the rest of the berries. Jayne will be there around 4 with the plants. We need more rows turned and weeded for the berries and also for the seedlings we have coming along on my porch. If anyone has a warm spot for sprouting summer seeds, I have an extra florescent light to lend you for the job. Come down and talk to Jayne today or email jayne@sistersageherbs.com.
Apr 28, 2010
Strawberries and Chips!!
The strawberries are here, and need to be planted immediately- I will be available every afternoon for a few hours, so contact me or come on down to lend a hand. We have two rows we could use immediately, but we could also hand turn the south east portion of the garden and plant them there... We will need to move compost whatever the case, so bring a shovel and wheelbarrow if you can.
I saw the line clearing crew yesterday and asked them to dump the chips at the garden, so now we have chips for the paths! I am thinking we should move the giant table somewhere (maybe farther down toward the creek) and put the chips thickly down in the main path first, then, when the crew can get in there, they can drive in and dump the next batch for us to distribute to the smaller pathways.
We need to till again, so if anyone else with a tiller wants to come down and help out, that would be great! We rented a giant tiller, but it would have been nice to use the big one for the bigger job of the first till, with the smaller tillers coming in behind them. We need to till the North side of the garden to plant with a cover crop for the summer! Since it is still raining and a little soggy, we have some time, but because the weeds are growing so quickly there is the problem of getting the weeds down enough to till with the walk behind tiller.... maybe we need goats?
The strawberries are here, and need to be planted immediately- I will be available every afternoon for a few hours, so contact me or come on down to lend a hand. We have two rows we could use immediately, but we could also hand turn the south east portion of the garden and plant them there... We will need to move compost whatever the case, so bring a shovel and wheelbarrow if you can.
I saw the line clearing crew yesterday and asked them to dump the chips at the garden, so now we have chips for the paths! I am thinking we should move the giant table somewhere (maybe farther down toward the creek) and put the chips thickly down in the main path first, then, when the crew can get in there, they can drive in and dump the next batch for us to distribute to the smaller pathways.
We need to till again, so if anyone else with a tiller wants to come down and help out, that would be great! We rented a giant tiller, but it would have been nice to use the big one for the bigger job of the first till, with the smaller tillers coming in behind them. We need to till the North side of the garden to plant with a cover crop for the summer! Since it is still raining and a little soggy, we have some time, but because the weeds are growing so quickly there is the problem of getting the weeds down enough to till with the walk behind tiller.... maybe we need goats?
Apr 26, 2010
Hey all, Jayne, Arlo and I got a couple of beds turned and ready for planting yesterday. Arlo and Jayne put some lettuce in the ground as well. We could use many more hands as there is plenty of space to farm. Tell all your friends that have been on p-patch waiting lists for years that there is plenty of space to grow! We also need a tiller, gas weed eater, and fence building material if someone wants to donate and reap the rewards of fresh organic veggies!
Apr 23, 2010
Sunday Work Party anyone? I am thinking 4 o'clock. We have lots to do, so people can choose different activities based on their interest and skills. The majority of the plants have sprouted and are ready for transplanting soon, but we just need to dig & weed some more rows! Some more big news is that the beekeeper is catching more and more swarms this year, and wants to set up a foster care program in the empty side of our garden. The bees will have a space to regroup and feed their queens and then they will be placed with families that want bees at their home. Pretty Cool!
Apr 18, 2010
Well, we got some bees for the garden! I was over there on Friday and noticed a swarm of honey bees, so I called my beekeeper friend, and he and his girlfriend and I captured them and set up a little hive in the Northwest area of the garden. There are so many bees that We already need another box or they will probably ...swarm again! There are pictures and a video of the transfer from a tree branch to the box, and I will post a link when we get it together... So be careful not to get too close to the hive right now (it is too small and they may be defensive about it). peace-Jayne
Apr 10, 2010
Mar 17, 2010
We got free seeds from tomatobob.com!!!! I told them about Longfellow Creek Community Gardens goals of feeding 10 families from the garden and having extra for the foodbank, and they sent us the seeds! They sent loads of tomato seeds, along with 3 kinds of onions, 4 kinds of lettuce, 2 squash, broccali raab, swiss chard, mustard, and even a set of watermelon seeds (and the variety is named after my hometown, Charleston)! I am so excited about our prospects! We need to have a meeting soon to figure out who can help start them all- I have pots and some soil to start....
peace-
Jayne
peace-
Jayne
Mar 11, 2010
Today I (Jayne) came across a great site at communitygarden.org that shows you step by step how to create a community garden. This year, I am planning the plot (on Longfellow Creek) and I hope it will be even easier to grow and harvest food there. Since we already have the site already prepped and some of the seeds, we have a head start. I plan to use their website through the season to ask questions of veteran community gardeners about the plan, the food, organizing community members, and whatever else comes up for us. I think it will be useful for inspiration this year. We have been wanting to grow food specifically for the food bank, and to grow enough to put some away for the winter. I hope this is the year we can make all of that happen- My winter food bills are way too much!
The "Pea Row" is weeded and trellises are in the ground but need to be strung up. Jeremiah and Arlo got some pea seeds from a farmer friend of theirs and they are going to soak them and we will plant them soon. After we weed the next row, we will locate all the volunteer kale and chard plants and transplant them. After that, the priority is lettuce. I sent a letter to Tomato Bob requesting seeds from them for the project, but I haven't heard back from them yet- They are having crazy sales right now and all through March of 25 cent vegetable packs! March Madness alright with a different selection each week!
Jeremiah has been working on chopping down all the blackberries and the willow tree in front of the fence. That is the spot the tree trimming service used to dump the chips. We would like that to happen again as soon as possible. We also want the truck to back in and dump chips all the way down the middle of the garden path so we can spread them out to the rows easier.
Phil has some wood fence panels that we are going to use to rebuild the North side of the fence, and as soon as we can, we will borrow a tiller and till up 1/2 of the garden for cover crop. (We will use this part of the land for this Fall's crops, and cover the other part for the Winter.)
I am looking for the best price on hoop house plastic, and will get the re-bar and PVC Pipe from McLendon's or Home Depot to make a hoop house for growing tomatoes this Summer, and chard for the Fall.
The "Pea Row" is weeded and trellises are in the ground but need to be strung up. Jeremiah and Arlo got some pea seeds from a farmer friend of theirs and they are going to soak them and we will plant them soon. After we weed the next row, we will locate all the volunteer kale and chard plants and transplant them. After that, the priority is lettuce. I sent a letter to Tomato Bob requesting seeds from them for the project, but I haven't heard back from them yet- They are having crazy sales right now and all through March of 25 cent vegetable packs! March Madness alright with a different selection each week!
Jeremiah has been working on chopping down all the blackberries and the willow tree in front of the fence. That is the spot the tree trimming service used to dump the chips. We would like that to happen again as soon as possible. We also want the truck to back in and dump chips all the way down the middle of the garden path so we can spread them out to the rows easier.
Phil has some wood fence panels that we are going to use to rebuild the North side of the fence, and as soon as we can, we will borrow a tiller and till up 1/2 of the garden for cover crop. (We will use this part of the land for this Fall's crops, and cover the other part for the Winter.)
I am looking for the best price on hoop house plastic, and will get the re-bar and PVC Pipe from McLendon's or Home Depot to make a hoop house for growing tomatoes this Summer, and chard for the Fall.
Feb 2, 2010
If you are growing food, thinking about food, working in food justice, or ready to
learn how to get started in 2010, please join us for this up-close and personal
conversation with a leader in the urban food movement.
Free and Open to the Public!
On February 3rd, 2010, 7 to 9 pm at the Mercer Middle School Auditorium on Beacon
Hill, Creatives4Community in partnership with Seattle Neighborhood Group presents:
A Community Open House with Will Allen -
"Urban Farming: Food Justice for All"
Will Allen, Founder and President of Growing Power, Inc., and 2008 MacArthur Genius
Grant Recipient, shares his experiences and strategies on how to build urban farms
rooted in community building, social and food justice, and sustainable
small-agriculture entrepreneurship.
Seattle has many successful established and emerging programs to reduce hunger and
provide access to healthy, locally grown food. It is time for an evolution,
collaboration and improvement. Join supporters of the local urban farming movement
for an evening of insight, information, and clarity with Growing Power's Will Allen
to discuss and consider ways Seattle and King County residents can strenthen and
advance their role in local food justice.
Allen's "green" work in Milwaukee, Chicago, Atlanta, and other US cities provides
examples of his commitment to making fresh, nutritious food available to everyone as
a way to stimulate economy, improve health, and create green collar employment.
This event will be presented in an "Actors Studio" format and moderated by Seattle's
own Vivian Phillips. The event will be held at Mercer Middle School Auditorium,
located on Seattle's Beacon Hill - 1600 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108
Please join us and for more information please contact:
contact@creatives4community.org or (206) 508-1260
"This is not just a movement. It's well beyond that. It's a good foods revolution,"
Will Allen, Growing Power, Inc. CEO
This event is sponsored by the Seattle Department of Planning & Development, Vulcan
Inc., Seattle Parks & Recreation Department, Seattle City Schools, and Seattle
Neighborhood Group.
learn how to get started in 2010, please join us for this up-close and personal
conversation with a leader in the urban food movement.
Free and Open to the Public!
On February 3rd, 2010, 7 to 9 pm at the Mercer Middle School Auditorium on Beacon
Hill, Creatives4Community in partnership with Seattle Neighborhood Group presents:
A Community Open House with Will Allen -
"Urban Farming: Food Justice for All"
Will Allen, Founder and President of Growing Power, Inc., and 2008 MacArthur Genius
Grant Recipient, shares his experiences and strategies on how to build urban farms
rooted in community building, social and food justice, and sustainable
small-agriculture entrepreneurship.
Seattle has many successful established and emerging programs to reduce hunger and
provide access to healthy, locally grown food. It is time for an evolution,
collaboration and improvement. Join supporters of the local urban farming movement
for an evening of insight, information, and clarity with Growing Power's Will Allen
to discuss and consider ways Seattle and King County residents can strenthen and
advance their role in local food justice.
Allen's "green" work in Milwaukee, Chicago, Atlanta, and other US cities provides
examples of his commitment to making fresh, nutritious food available to everyone as
a way to stimulate economy, improve health, and create green collar employment.
This event will be presented in an "Actors Studio" format and moderated by Seattle's
own Vivian Phillips. The event will be held at Mercer Middle School Auditorium,
located on Seattle's Beacon Hill - 1600 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108
Please join us and for more information please contact:
contact@creatives4community.org or (206) 508-1260
"This is not just a movement. It's well beyond that. It's a good foods revolution,"
Will Allen, Growing Power, Inc. CEO
This event is sponsored by the Seattle Department of Planning & Development, Vulcan
Inc., Seattle Parks & Recreation Department, Seattle City Schools, and Seattle
Neighborhood Group.
Oct 21, 2009
Tilling, Garlic Planting and Cover Cropping- Oh My!
We are waiting for a break in the weather when we will till and plant garlic and onions and a cover crop over some of the garden,and cover other areas with mulch for next spring. There is a giant load of chips coming to line the pathways as well. We have talked about a tentative plan for Sunday October 24th in the afternoon if the weather is nice and there is a heavy duty tiller available. We need to clear the area of existing plants before that, and add to the compost pile (and turn it)..... keep posted for more information. Join us on Facebook at Longfellow Creek Garden!
We are waiting for a break in the weather when we will till and plant garlic and onions and a cover crop over some of the garden,and cover other areas with mulch for next spring. There is a giant load of chips coming to line the pathways as well. We have talked about a tentative plan for Sunday October 24th in the afternoon if the weather is nice and there is a heavy duty tiller available. We need to clear the area of existing plants before that, and add to the compost pile (and turn it)..... keep posted for more information. Join us on Facebook at Longfellow Creek Garden!
May 11, 2009
Longfellow Creek Community Garden Spring Fundraiser
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: C&P Coffee Company – 5612 California Avenue, Seattle, WA
Suggested Donation: $25
Wine Tasting of Northwest Wines
60 tickets available
Contact Event Coordinator at lazylocavores@me.com
Wine tasting courtesy of Bonnie of QFC, Westwood Village
Prizes, auction items, raffle tickets, opportunities to become a Member of Longfellow Creek Community Garden
Come to C&P Coffee Company, 5612 California Ave SW, on Saturday May 16, 2009 at 6:00pm for The Longfellow Creek Community Garden Annual Spring Fundraiser. This year’s event is a wine tasting of Northwest Wines. Suggested donation is $25.00. Tickets are limited, and available in advance by emailing lazylocavores@me.com or may be purchased at the door.
This highly anticipated event spotlights a wine tasting courtesy of Bonnie, a level one sommelier, of the Westwood Village QFC to include numerous wines from throughout the Pacific Northwest. Owen Sullivan of OS Winery will be stopping by as our guest wine maker and will be pouring his famous red. There will also be prizes, donated auction items and raffle tickets. Come sample some local wine, mingle with the Longfellow Creek Community Garden Mentors Board and other West Seattle gardeners.
This is our main fundraiser for the year and your support will assist Longfellow Creek Community Garden in purchasing the tools, seedlings and supplies needed for this summer and fall growing seasons.
Longfellow Creek Community Garden is a quarter-acre neighborhood garden located in West Seattle. Our goal is to provide the West Seattle and White Center communities with access to an area for growing nutritious food and expert education on all aspects of growing vegetables in the Pacific Northwest. We offer many levels of involvement regardless of ability to pay. We are actively enrolling new garden members and have bi-weekly educational seminars scheduled.
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: C&P Coffee Company – 5612 California Avenue, Seattle, WA
Suggested Donation: $25
Wine Tasting of Northwest Wines
60 tickets available
Contact Event Coordinator at lazylocavores@me.com
Wine tasting courtesy of Bonnie of QFC, Westwood Village
Prizes, auction items, raffle tickets, opportunities to become a Member of Longfellow Creek Community Garden
Come to C&P Coffee Company, 5612 California Ave SW, on Saturday May 16, 2009 at 6:00pm for The Longfellow Creek Community Garden Annual Spring Fundraiser. This year’s event is a wine tasting of Northwest Wines. Suggested donation is $25.00. Tickets are limited, and available in advance by emailing lazylocavores@me.com or may be purchased at the door.
This highly anticipated event spotlights a wine tasting courtesy of Bonnie, a level one sommelier, of the Westwood Village QFC to include numerous wines from throughout the Pacific Northwest. Owen Sullivan of OS Winery will be stopping by as our guest wine maker and will be pouring his famous red. There will also be prizes, donated auction items and raffle tickets. Come sample some local wine, mingle with the Longfellow Creek Community Garden Mentors Board and other West Seattle gardeners.
This is our main fundraiser for the year and your support will assist Longfellow Creek Community Garden in purchasing the tools, seedlings and supplies needed for this summer and fall growing seasons.
Longfellow Creek Community Garden is a quarter-acre neighborhood garden located in West Seattle. Our goal is to provide the West Seattle and White Center communities with access to an area for growing nutritious food and expert education on all aspects of growing vegetables in the Pacific Northwest. We offer many levels of involvement regardless of ability to pay. We are actively enrolling new garden members and have bi-weekly educational seminars scheduled.
Feb 13, 2009
Dec 24, 2008
Longfellow Creek Garden in Snow!
There was a literal blanket of snow over the Longfellow Creek Garden on Dec 23rd. We made our way around taking pictures of the soft pillows that were once rows of veggies this summer. The structures from the tomato row and a few collard greens were sticking through the snow. Check out a few more pictures at my Flickr account. Lets meet in January to talk about what we want to grow next year!
Jayne, Sherpa and Arlo met Phil and his gang at the garden to make snow angels and throw snowballs at each other and to the doggies.
Oct 24, 2008
Oct 20, 2008
Garlic and Fava Planting Party
Sunday's planting party was terrific. People started showing up around noon and we got right to work tilling several rows. Carrie, Chris, Lynette, Loring, Zach, and I planted five rows of not-for-food fava beans, and four new rows of garlic. We came away with quite a bounty. Kale, beans, rutabaga, yellow squash, golden beets, potatoes, corn.... The apples you see were picked the day before in Eastern Washington. (Thanks, Carrie!) Everyone came over to Zach’s place later and we cooked it all up. Yum.
Oct 18, 2008
2nd Garlic Planting Party
The first Garlic Party had 8 people in attendence. In 2 hours we planted 2 beautiful rows of garlic cloves.
Thanks to Sally, Sandy, Ryan, Audrey, Jeremiah, Carmen & Nicholas, and Palmer for coming to help plant the garlic, which required a lot of diggin and weed pullin!
Sunday October 19
12:00 to 4:00
2nd round of garlic planting at Longfellow!
Thanks,
Zach
PS:
Check out http://www.urbanlandarmy.com/ - a local program for helping people organize urban farming projects....
Also, Sustainable West Seattle is having a planning meeting for a local food dinner. Check out
http://www.sustainablewestseattle.org/
the meeting details are:
Wednesday October 22, 6:15-7:45, at the Southwest Branch Library in West Seattle (9010 35th Ave SW - on 35th, Bus Route 21). - Please note this is a different library than the one we met at last.
Thanks to Sally, Sandy, Ryan, Audrey, Jeremiah, Carmen & Nicholas, and Palmer for coming to help plant the garlic, which required a lot of diggin and weed pullin!
Sunday October 19
12:00 to 4:00
2nd round of garlic planting at Longfellow!
Thanks,
Zach
PS:
Check out http://www.urbanlandarmy.com/ - a local program for helping people organize urban farming projects....
Also, Sustainable West Seattle is having a planning meeting for a local food dinner. Check out
http://www.sustainablewestseattle.org/
the meeting details are:
Wednesday October 22, 6:15-7:45, at the Southwest Branch Library in West Seattle (9010 35th Ave SW - on 35th, Bus Route 21). - Please note this is a different library than the one we met at last.
Oct 13, 2008
Planting Garlic
We will be planting garlic on Friday evening at 4:00 PM (weather permitting). Heavy or medium rain is a no go…but if the weather is nice we’ll be using various tools to plant several rows of garlic.
Garlic is planting in October and harvest in July. We will need to get straw to lay down as mulch - if anyone is at halloween / harvest parties and there are decorative bales of hay can you snag em'?
Zach Zink
Please email me to rsvp by emailing zach growingwashington org
and / or calling 425.367.9133
Garlic is planting in October and harvest in July. We will need to get straw to lay down as mulch - if anyone is at halloween / harvest parties and there are decorative bales of hay can you snag em'?
Zach Zink
Please email me to rsvp by emailing zach
and / or calling 425.367.9133
Aug 9, 2008
Benefits and Purpose of Gardening
With regard to food production, this blogger says that community gardens create...
Self-reliance: Disciplined people, Discipline Thought, Disciplined Action.
And that...
Small steps, relentlessly taken will create durable people and communities, economic lifeboats. There may not be time to save everyone, but there is time for everyone to save themself. Start simple by asking everyone to plant a garden.
Self-reliance: Disciplined people, Discipline Thought, Disciplined Action.
And that...
Small steps, relentlessly taken will create durable people and communities, economic lifeboats. There may not be time to save everyone, but there is time for everyone to save themself. Start simple by asking everyone to plant a garden.
This may seem insignificant but it accomplishes vital tasks:
1. Each person is responsible for self-reliance.
2. Builds agricultural skills and a sense that we are part of the land.
3. Cuts food-miles and reduces oil dependence.
4. Strengthens the social fabric with confidence that we are durability from famine caused by oil shortage.
5. Affirms by action that we can and will prevail. We need only exercise our liberty and responsibility.
1. Each person is responsible for self-reliance.
2. Builds agricultural skills and a sense that we are part of the land.
3. Cuts food-miles and reduces oil dependence.
4. Strengthens the social fabric with confidence that we are durability from famine caused by oil shortage.
5. Affirms by action that we can and will prevail. We need only exercise our liberty and responsibility.
Community gardens strengthen communities with shared responsibility and knowledge.
from:
from:
Jul 28, 2008
harvesting/thinning beets
Here we are seeding Filderkraut Cabbage into the row for late fall havest (fingers crossed!)
Laura harvests some beets to take home after a day of direct seeding rutagagas and cabbages into the soil.
Jul 25, 2008
FOOD SOVEREIGNTY
A great article appeared today on The Oil Drum, a website totally devoted to reporting any and all news that relates to energy, especially Peak Oil .
Aaron Newton writes,
"Of course we have an alternative. The population of the United States of America could make an anticipatory change away from industrial agriculture and decrease our dangerous reliance on it? We can, as a nation, turn away voluntarily from industrial agriculture by rejecting a culture of hyper consumption and promote a culture of creation- not factory farming but local farmers meeting local food needs. We can embrace the freedom and stability of agricultural self sufficiency and local interdependency- the battle cry can be Food Sovereignty! And we can do it in advance of any possible economic troubles because of speculation, liquidation, inflation, or any other manipulative practices that might further distort food price and access. We can begin again to base our society on providing our own needs and the needs of our communities."
More article can be found if you follow the link:
Jul 14, 2008
OH MY GODDESS!
The 1st Annual Food Garden Tour in West Seattle is coming up, which is of course our favorite event of the year (or at least we hope it will be)! Guess who's gonna be on the tour!!!!! Longfellow Creek Garden is less than a year old, but it's otfwdh (off-the-fricken-wicked-dope-hook) anyway! Which is why of course, we have been selected. Here's the blurb:
We are planning the 1st Annual Food Garden Tour in West Seattle. Our goal is to meet other gardeners, have fun, and share information/inspiration with others who are committed to growing food in an urban environment. By visiting each other’s gardens we can learn what works in different locations with a variety of approaches.
YEAH! ALRIGHT! Ok so what you need to know is this:
It's August 2 from 10am to 2pm.
There will be between 6 and 10 gardens, a map, directions, etc. You go at your own pace. There'll be someone at each garden to show you around and give you info.
Wow!! Now you're like "omfg (oh my fricken goddess), how do I learn more?" Well you stay tuned that's how. We're gonna get more info up here real soon! SEE YOU THEN!
The 1st Annual Food Garden Tour in West Seattle is coming up, which is of course our favorite event of the year (or at least we hope it will be)! Guess who's gonna be on the tour!!!!! Longfellow Creek Garden is less than a year old, but it's otfwdh (off-the-fricken-wicked-dope-hook) anyway! Which is why of course, we have been selected. Here's the blurb:
We are planning the 1st Annual Food Garden Tour in West Seattle. Our goal is to meet other gardeners, have fun, and share information/inspiration with others who are committed to growing food in an urban environment. By visiting each other’s gardens we can learn what works in different locations with a variety of approaches.
YEAH! ALRIGHT! Ok so what you need to know is this:
It's August 2 from 10am to 2pm.
There will be between 6 and 10 gardens, a map, directions, etc. You go at your own pace. There'll be someone at each garden to show you around and give you info.
Wow!! Now you're like "omfg (oh my fricken goddess), how do I learn more?" Well you stay tuned that's how. We're gonna get more info up here real soon! SEE YOU THEN!
Jun 9, 2008
Cedar Grove Compost Donates....Compost!
Jami at Cedar Grove Compost has agreed to donate Longfellow Creek Garden 30 cubic yards of finished compost.
This is a wonderful gift to the Garden and we are incredibly grateful to Cedar Grove Compost. We will work the compost into our soil, use it as topdressing around our plants when they get a little bigger, and use it in our own compost pile as needed to balance it and promote rapid decomposition.
Jim will be delivering it in his big ol' work truck. We are continually amazed at the support for neighborhoods interesting in developing their own food systems.
Please visit http://www.cedar-grove.com/ to look at other products and services they might be able to offer you as you garden organically at home.
Best,
Zach Zink
This is a wonderful gift to the Garden and we are incredibly grateful to Cedar Grove Compost. We will work the compost into our soil, use it as topdressing around our plants when they get a little bigger, and use it in our own compost pile as needed to balance it and promote rapid decomposition.
Jim will be delivering it in his big ol' work truck. We are continually amazed at the support for neighborhoods interesting in developing their own food systems.
Please visit http://www.cedar-grove.com/ to look at other products and services they might be able to offer you as you garden organically at home.
Best,
Zach Zink
Jun 3, 2008
First Harvest from my Home Garden
I have 100 square feet of raised beds at home. Here is a picture of my first big harvest today from the "salad garden" as I like to think of it.
Jun 2, 2008
Seattle PI Article
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/365448_urbanfarming02.html
Jennifer Langston wrote an article about urban farming, and mentioned Longfellow :-)
Jun 1, 2008
garden is exploding!
Sugar snaps need support, so as they get taller you can train them to grab onto your twine, and they handle the rest for the next 5 weeks. Posts get pounded down with a...post pounder.Alongside the sugar snaps are some mustard greens. The big grassy patch in the foreground is winter rye and vetch that I cover cropped over some soggy clay soil.
Jim came over with a bobcat and tilling implement and tilled the rest of the soil. Thanks Jim! 
Things are really growing over here. Can you believe that within this picture are mustard greens, carrots, sugar snaps, 3 kinds of kale, swiss chard, spinach, corn, tomatoes, zuchini, cilantro, radishes, pole beans, leeks, & sunflowers!
May 18, 2008
Sunday Rain
Hey everybody! I was able to water this evening, hooking up hoses to Pat's front yard hose bib. Pat also weeded the final tilled row closest to 24th, and got some tomato, collard, celery, cucumber, walla walla onions, and salad greens starts that I planted tonight. Thanks again to Pat and Stein Perry for the water!
May 16, 2008
Growing Things!
Farmer Jayne is pictured working on the sod to get the weeds out!
We have all been working hard to turn over the sod, weed out the invasives and break up soil clumps.
After the beds are ready we fertilize and transplant. Here is a row of Sugar Snap Peas and a row of Corn.
May 13, 2008
Planting Party
Cool Moms Planting Party
May 24
10 am - 12noon
Wear shoes or boots, gloves, and bring water. We have bathrooms nearby.
Bring your own pole bean or climing plant seeds.
RSVP to zach@growingwashington.org
May 24
10 am - 12noon
Wear shoes or boots, gloves, and bring water. We have bathrooms nearby.
Bring your own pole bean or climing plant seeds.
RSVP to zach@growingwashington.org
May 7, 2008
Lots more to do!
I cleared out another bed of a wheel barrel's worth of weeds yesterday, and planted some kale, spinach, and chard starts thinned from my raised bed. Jayne came by and put in some more greens, but I think the bed next to her stuff (which is almost ready to harvest) is up for grabs. I was going to do some seeds, but ran out of time. Maybe this afternoon before I go to work. Be sure to use labels so folks don't plant where you did!
Jayne turned up another bed last night which needs to be de-weeded. This was the bed that was machine tilled, and it seemed to do a great job in making the weeds grow back stronger than ever! If someone gets a chance to go by and pluck out the big dandelions and buttercup, that'd be awesome. I spent about 5 hours on it yesterday, which - while quite a pain - I think will really pay itself off in terms of fewer stuff to pull around the plants as they grow in the coming months.
For those of you who read the flyer I put up at Arlo's daycare - welcome! Please contact any of the folks linked here to get plugged in. I work crazy hours, but will try to answer any calls or e-mails as soon as possible.
Cheers,
Jen
May 4, 2008
planted more veggies
Today Jeremiah and I really dug into the garden to plant more veggies, Jen also came over and planted some starts.
Jeremiah and I planted radishes, corn, 3 kinds of zuchini, cilantro, sunflowers, and "super sugar snap peas." We have a lot more of the sugar snap pea starts right now b/c of Vince's donation from 21 Acres. Getting these planted is a priority.
Jen planted mustard greens.
I also cover cropped some patches of ground that are very much clay with winter rye and vetch to try and break up some of that clay and build it up for next season.
Using lots of organic fertlizers like chicken manure (nitrogen), Rock Phosphate (calcium and phosophorous), bloodmeal (nitrogen), and dolomite lime (calcium and magnesium, sweetens soil to lessen acid conditions). Soil in the pacific northwest is slow to respond to compost because generally cool temperatures slow down the microbial action that makes the nutrients in compost available to vegetables.
As a result, for first time gardens it behooves folk to add powdered or pelleted ammendmnets because they are, comparatively speaking, immediately available. The are activated first by tilling them into the soil at their recommended application rates (almost always explained on the packaging) and second by watering them in once they are there.
Jeremiah and I planted radishes, corn, 3 kinds of zuchini, cilantro, sunflowers, and "super sugar snap peas." We have a lot more of the sugar snap pea starts right now b/c of Vince's donation from 21 Acres. Getting these planted is a priority.
Jen planted mustard greens.
I also cover cropped some patches of ground that are very much clay with winter rye and vetch to try and break up some of that clay and build it up for next season.
Using lots of organic fertlizers like chicken manure (nitrogen), Rock Phosphate (calcium and phosophorous), bloodmeal (nitrogen), and dolomite lime (calcium and magnesium, sweetens soil to lessen acid conditions). Soil in the pacific northwest is slow to respond to compost because generally cool temperatures slow down the microbial action that makes the nutrients in compost available to vegetables.
As a result, for first time gardens it behooves folk to add powdered or pelleted ammendmnets because they are, comparatively speaking, immediately available. The are activated first by tilling them into the soil at their recommended application rates (almost always explained on the packaging) and second by watering them in once they are there.
May 3, 2008
planted
planted from seed...white russian kale, rainbow swiss chard, sugar snap peas, broccoli raab
planted from starts (thanks Vince for the donation!)...zuchini, corn, super sugar snaps
also covered a very clay/marginal patch of ground by the creek with winter rye and vetch to cover crop it and start breaking it up.
-Zach Zink
planted from starts (thanks Vince for the donation!)...zuchini, corn, super sugar snaps
also covered a very clay/marginal patch of ground by the creek with winter rye and vetch to cover crop it and start breaking it up.
-Zach Zink
Apr 24, 2008
Tuesday April 29th 3-8pm
I will be at the Garden to continue working on turning the soil and making rows, and laying wood chips in the pathways. I will be at the farm from 3-8pm and I will bring shovels and hoes. Please bring your own gloves and any hand tools you think you will need. I am missing my pruning shears with wood handles from last Saturday's work party, and I have a few too many shovels left over. Please mark your tools with your name and phone number so we can get them back to you.
I already have some pumpkins, cukes, leeks, peppers, cilantro, peas and tomatoes started. Once the rows are ready, we will be able to plant some of these things right into the ground. We will need to construct a hoop house for the tomatoes and peppers, and if the Okra and Melons come up, we can put those in as well. If there are any construction people out there who would like to lend a hand with that, please contact me.
Hope to see you there!
Jayne Simmons
206-898-2101
I already have some pumpkins, cukes, leeks, peppers, cilantro, peas and tomatoes started. Once the rows are ready, we will be able to plant some of these things right into the ground. We will need to construct a hoop house for the tomatoes and peppers, and if the Okra and Melons come up, we can put those in as well. If there are any construction people out there who would like to lend a hand with that, please contact me.
Hope to see you there!
Jayne Simmons
206-898-2101
Apr 22, 2008
Saturday, April 26
I will be at the Garden on Saturday, April 26, from 11 to 6 if anyone wants to come help out. Feel free to stop by for however much time works for your schedule.
I think I will be using a shovel to turn over the sod to make beds. It was just too wet to really succeed with the tiller. Hard work! But important.
Zach Z.
425.367.9133
I think I will be using a shovel to turn over the sod to make beds. It was just too wet to really succeed with the tiller. Hard work! But important.
Zach Z.
425.367.9133
Apr 21, 2008
Work Party
Thank you to everyone that helped out at the work party on Saturday. The weather cleared up and the sun came out for the basically the whole four hours that we were our there, no more no less. We cleared a huge amount of debris, equipment, and trash out of the 1/4 acre, weedwacked, raked, and piled compost.
My my estimate, we had about 20 folks working, 5 kids playing, 3 dogs racing around in circles, and about 5 people that stopped to see what we were up to.
Here are the next steps:
-take garbage to dump....anyone with access to a truck?
-turn over beds with a shovel (hard work, but most important!)
-seed sugar snap peas, plant strawberries
-wood chips between rows
-more clean-up
Cheers,
Zach
Apr 10, 2008
Wood Chip-O-Rama
I have a beautiful pile (6 yards!) of wood chips happily steaming away in my driveway just waiting to be used as garden paths! Stonehenge Tree Experts was kind enough to deliver it for free. I love getting free stuff, and recycling ROCKS!
Apr 8, 2008
More Great Press
http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/a_garden_for_eatin
Adrian Ryan, long-time Stranger contributer posted this about us on The Stranger's fantastic blog, called "Slog." Check it out. Thank Adrian if you want...his email is: adrian@thestranger.com.
Adrian Ryan, long-time Stranger contributer posted this about us on The Stranger's fantastic blog, called "Slog." Check it out. Thank Adrian if you want...his email is: adrian@thestranger.com.
Apr 7, 2008
Crazy Coincidence
Chris Jude, a renewable energy specialist and good friend emailed me with more Longfellow history. Chris used to work for Full Circle Farm (www.fullcirclefarm.com) in Carnation, WA, which is one of the bigger organic farms in the area. His longtime girlfriend, Lynnette, worked as an intern for Tolt River Farm, run by Becky and Eric (http://toltriverfarm.com/). Chris currently helps out Eric part-time with Eric's arboriculture business.
That same year that Lynnette & Chris were in Carnation, I was an intern at Growing Things Farm (www.growingthingsfarm.com) All the interns hung out quite a bit. We worked all week and relaxed at each other’s respective farms on the weekends. Often, we'd all be selling at our various stalls at the Carnation farmers market. We were a close community and still are 2 years later.
Chris was talking to Eric about Longfellow and it turns out that Becky used to garden Longfellow when she lived in Seattle. She was 28, it was 1999, and she had just completed an organic farm internship. The very year she was interning, John and Francis Smersh were starting the original Longfellow Creek Garden (so, 1998 I think). Becky gardened for several more years at Longfellow until interest died away and 10 years later still continues to farm.
It is an auspicious discovery to hear that Longfellow has been part of the journey of folks like Becky. All of the farms I’ve mentioned are cornerstones of sustainable, organic agriculture in Washington. They all educate interns like Becky, Lynette, and myself and those interns overwhelmingly stay involved in local food production. Please check them out.
Cheers,
Zach Zink
That same year that Lynnette & Chris were in Carnation, I was an intern at Growing Things Farm (www.growingthingsfarm.com) All the interns hung out quite a bit. We worked all week and relaxed at each other’s respective farms on the weekends. Often, we'd all be selling at our various stalls at the Carnation farmers market. We were a close community and still are 2 years later.
Chris was talking to Eric about Longfellow and it turns out that Becky used to garden Longfellow when she lived in Seattle. She was 28, it was 1999, and she had just completed an organic farm internship. The very year she was interning, John and Francis Smersh were starting the original Longfellow Creek Garden (so, 1998 I think). Becky gardened for several more years at Longfellow until interest died away and 10 years later still continues to farm.
It is an auspicious discovery to hear that Longfellow has been part of the journey of folks like Becky. All of the farms I’ve mentioned are cornerstones of sustainable, organic agriculture in Washington. They all educate interns like Becky, Lynette, and myself and those interns overwhelmingly stay involved in local food production. Please check them out.
Cheers,
Zach Zink
Apr 6, 2008
History of Longfellow
A man who saw our post at the West Seattle Blog commented that he was involved in growing food on LFCG back when it was a fully functioning community garden.
Apparently LFCG was founded by Laura Love, a folk musician. See: http://www.lauralove.net/ for more about her and: http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=6699#comment-169991 for the comment in which "John" explains our GARLICKY hidden past.
Cheers,
Zach Zink
Apparently LFCG was founded by Laura Love, a folk musician. See: http://www.lauralove.net/ for more about her and: http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=6699#comment-169991 for the comment in which "John" explains our GARLICKY hidden past.
Cheers,
Zach Zink
Apr 5, 2008
great press from West Seattle Blog
Thanks to Tracy over at West Seattle Blog, we have gotten some great press.
http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=6699&akst_action=share-this
We have already had 3 volunteers confirm just from this post! Keep up the good work everyone.
Cheers,
Zach Zink
http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=6699&akst_action=share-this
We have already had 3 volunteers confirm just from this post! Keep up the good work everyone.
Cheers,
Zach Zink
Apr 3, 2008
Work Day - April 19th
Community Garden Restoration
Longfellow Creek Garden is a 1/4 parcel of land that we are restoring into a functioning, food producing garden. The project is run through Growing Washington, a nonprofit devoted to revitalizing the local food industry in Western Washington.
Date: Saturday, April 19
Time: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: 2311 SW Myrtle St., Seattle, WA 98106
(Just off Delridge and near the Home Depot in West Seattle)
Park at 2133 SW Myrtle St., 98106. From there volunteers will walk over to the garden, which is about a block away.
Project Leader: Zach Zink
425.367.9133
zach@growingwashington.org
Details: Clearing a perimeter with leaf raking and bramble clipping. Spreading mulch, painting,and weed whacking. Clearing obstacles out of rows to get ready for tilling, making a compost pile.
Bring gloves and wear boots. If you have rakes, hedge clippers, branch cutters, and other misc. lawn care tools, please bring them. We will have an assortment of tools on hand.
At 4:00 PM, when the work is over, we plan to celebrate by tilling the first row. Vince Felice from 21 Acres Farm in Woodinville has graciously donated his time and his 26 horsepower tiller to tackle the rows!
RSVP to Zach by Friday, April 11, 2008.
Longfellow Creek Garden is a 1/4 parcel of land that we are restoring into a functioning, food producing garden. The project is run through Growing Washington, a nonprofit devoted to revitalizing the local food industry in Western Washington.
Date: Saturday, April 19
Time: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: 2311 SW Myrtle St., Seattle, WA 98106
(Just off Delridge and near the Home Depot in West Seattle)
Park at 2133 SW Myrtle St., 98106. From there volunteers will walk over to the garden, which is about a block away.
Project Leader: Zach Zink
425.367.9133
zach@growingwashington.org
Details: Clearing a perimeter with leaf raking and bramble clipping. Spreading mulch, painting,and weed whacking. Clearing obstacles out of rows to get ready for tilling, making a compost pile.
Bring gloves and wear boots. If you have rakes, hedge clippers, branch cutters, and other misc. lawn care tools, please bring them. We will have an assortment of tools on hand.
At 4:00 PM, when the work is over, we plan to celebrate by tilling the first row. Vince Felice from 21 Acres Farm in Woodinville has graciously donated his time and his 26 horsepower tiller to tackle the rows!
RSVP to Zach by Friday, April 11, 2008.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
"Before" Pictures! - Looking North
Longfellow in Feb 2008
