Rhode Island Feeds

Hello Gardeners!

If you’ve signed up for a plot but haven’t heard from me, here’s why: Last week I wrote all of the current gardeners to see who wants to stay on for the 2010 season. I’ve heard from almost all of them, and as soon as I have everything squared up, I’ll start handing out assignments.

This year, I’ll be reassigning abandoned plots in late July for Summer/ Fall harvests. If I can’t fit you in for the Spring, I’ll get you in on the Fall. There’s a lot of great news to come and I’m sure there’s a place for everyone.

If you are a member already and wouldn’t mind sharing your plot, let me know. Also, you may lend your plot to a person on the wait list if you are going to be out of town for an extended period of time.

Regardless, if you would like a plot, please register on the waitlist, as I will be giving plots on a first-come basis.

Happy Spring!

k!

From a fellow gardener via organicgardening.com

It’s difficult to space tiny seeds, such as carrots, in the garden. The best way to solve this problem is to make homemade seed tape. Here’s how to do it:

1. Unroll a strip of toilet paper on a table (double ply works best), mist it with a sprayer, and place the seeds along the center of the strip. Be sure to space the seeds based on the seed packet’s recommendation. Tip: Alternate carrot seeds with radish seeds because when the radishes sprout, they help to mark the row and break the ground.

2. Starting along the strip’s long edge, fold a third of the paper over the seeds, then fold the other third over to cover the seeds completely. Lightly tamp the paper, misting it again to secure the seeds. Make as many of these strips as you need. Then carefully carry them to the garden.

3. Make shallow furrows in the prepared soil, lay the strips down, and cover them. In a jiffy, your small seeds will be planted and perfectly spaced.

originally sourced from organicgardening.com

I have just returned from an African safari (safari is a Swahili word, meaning journey) where I was intrigued by an unusually big, low-growing shrub called Crown of Thorns, perhaps 15 feet in diameter and 4 -5 feet in height,...

In spite of the torrential rains of the past few days, there are a few blooms in the garden. With less than a week to go until the official start of spring, progress is visible and not just another mark... Layanee DeMerchant

Just a friendly reminder that this Saturday is our… Urban Agriculture Spring Kick-off! Saturday, March 20th from 1pm to 4pm at Highlander Charter School, 42 Lexington Avenue at Broad Street

Stop on by for the festivities and some seeds too…

I’ll take what I can get bloom-wise right now. I might even go out in the rain and get a little bit excited over a single pink bud on a pretty sorry looking dawn viburnum (Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’).  I’d have gone for a closer look but, silly me, I left my waders at home… [...]

I consider myself lucky to have found the so-called pregnant onion with one small baby plant growing on one side of the 'mother' bulb at the RI Spring Flower & Garden Show. My reactions after the encounter were, "Where have...

I know I’ve said it before but it’s good to get out. Yesterday Gail, Julie (our education coordinator) and I went to the Perennial Plant Conference at UCONN in Storrs, CT and came back jazzed all over again about things like native plants and edible landscaping. Rosalind Creasy has been advocating and demonstrating edible landscaping –beautifully [...]

I know that I have been neglecting gardening and that is about to change as plants are starting to pop up around here but today is a very special day. It is hard to believe that it has been one... Layanee DeMerchant

Friends, the East Side Providence retailer Clad In is holding a March 18 event from 5-8pm.

A hearty portion of the night’s proceeds will help SCLT continue to expand the number of community gardens, to increase the number of youth participants in our environmental education programs, and to renew our neighborhoods. Join us for a fun night!

HerbDoc has a spring in her step these days!

The weather here in Rhode Island during the past week has been spectacular, and it seems as if spring has finally arrived!  Snowdrops and crocus have been happily blooming in my garden, the daffodils are up and budded, and the goldfinches at the feeder are showing deeper coloration. Spring songs are evident from other feathered friends.

The markets are carrying cut and potted spring flowers, the always popular St. Patrick’s Day shamrocks, and oxalis, often mistaken for real shamrocks.  For those who are unfamiliar with the legend behind the four leaf clover, the leaves represent faith, hope, love and luck.  In Ireland, the three leaved shamrock represents the Holy Trinity:  the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.  If a shamrock is found with a fourth leaf, it represents God’s Grace.

It is said that Eve carried a four leaf clover from the Garden of Eden, and the early Celts used white clover as a charm against evil spirits.  The Druids considered the four leaf clover a symbol of luck.  Finding a real one today is a rarity, and like the Druids, we see it as a sign of good fortune.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all and here’s to the continuing good weather and finding a four leaf clover in your lawn when it greens up!

Don’t forget to push your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday evening!

Layanee DeMerchant

Over 30 Community Gardens in Providence are providing space for people to grow their own food. Now is the time to rent your plot for the season. Here’s how:

First: Take a look at our map and see if there’s a garden close to your home.

Second: Contact Erika Rumbley, SCLT Gardens Network Coordinator, and she’ll put you in touch with your chosen garden’s leader. Her contact is: gardennetwork@southsideclt.org

If you’re as excited as we are about the growing season ahead, make haste in contacting Erika and securing your garden space: plots are filling up fast, and many already have wait lists. Community and home-grown equates to reductions in grocery spending – save money this spring, summer and fall by acting now!

And remember:

+ Commit to tending your garden for the whole season. We’ll sometimes see people enthusiastic about the first rush of spring, only to abandon their work in the middle of the summer.

+ The financial impact is small, but the time commitment is significant. Every garden has different requirements. Many gardens have mandatory work days, and you’ll want to keep weeds under control through daily maintenance. This is the main reason why living close to your garden plot will save you more time and more money.

Sally forth! Let your urban growing commence!

Help transform your community garden from this...

... into this! Act now to be part of nature's perennial rebirth!

Stromanthe sanginea was one of the 4 plants I picked up at the R.I. Spring Flower & Garden Show. It came in a 4-inch pot, from a nursery (Heimlich Nurseries) in Woburn, Mass. 2.19.10 I was captivated by the variegated...

Hi Everybody!

Right now I’m updating the plot lists. A few of you have asked me where to send payment. Bring payment with you to the first workday, which will be announced shortly. I will update the site as soon as I have the dates.

Also, the wait list can be used for keeping your plot, too. It’s just one list. If you leave a note in the form that tells me your plot number, I will mark it on my physical list. I’m just trying to solidify all the lists into one megalist.

Right now is a sort of preliminary count so I can assign plots to those who are waiting on the wait list. I’m so happy to see so much enthusiasm! It’s going to be a great season!!

If you have questions about where your plot is, check the map on the website.

If you are on facebook, sign up to be a fan and get updates that way.

You can also follow the twitter .

k!

I’ve done a lot of grousing about March lately. And it’s almost as if she heard me and said “Oh yeah? You think I’m a drag? I’ll show you how awesome I can be!” Over the last couple of days, the weather has been beyond gorgeous. Quite a few visitors have taken advantage of bright [...]

HerbDoc has some interesting thoughts on spring planting:

Farmers and gardeners have been tuned into the phases of the moon for centuries.  Controlling pests, fertilization, harvesting, irrigation, planting and even animal breeding were often dictated by the moon phases, sometimes in conjunction with astrological signs.

For gardeners, the important rule is to plant above ground vegetables such as lettuce and other leafy plants “by the light of the moon.”  This is the period after the New Moon when the light gradually increases to the Full Moon.  Crops that produce below the ground such as onions and potatoes are planted “by the dark of the moon”, that is the period after the Full Moon when the light decreases.  It is said that by following these practices, crops will grow larger and more quickly with bigger yields.  On the other hand, if one does the opposite, negative results will occur.

My grandmother always followed three “moon” rules:

1) Plant seeds within 2 days (48 hours) before a full moon;

2) Plant potatoes only by the dark of the moon; and

3) Never plant anything on the day of a Full Moon, a New Moon, or

in the last quarter (to the New Moon).

My grandmother’s gardens were always amazing, producing huge amounts of vegetables for “putting by” and gorgeous annuals and perennials.  Not one to question her wisdom, I follow her lead, but not always with such spectacular results.  (I attribute that to not having the three dozen or so chickens which provided composted manure for her gardens on a yearly basis).

To find specific dates for planting and other gardening chores in 2010, log onto www.farmersalmanac.com for a free guide.

The first day of Spring is coming & we’re throwing an incredible Kick-Off. The popcorn machine will be cranking! Come trade your extra seeds for seeds you need! Enjoy a whole afternoon of local music & quick, hands-on gardening workshops! Plus, pick up your 2010 Plant Providence Calendar with a whole year’s worth of free workshops.

URBAN AGRICULTURE SPRING KICK-OFF!

• WHEN: Saturday, March 20th, 1-4 pm
• WHERE: Highlander Charter School, 42 Lexington Ave
• $$: FREE! Open to the public!
• WORKSHOPS: Seed starting, Hmong cooking, Garden planning, Compost & Soil testing!

Want to help set-up, greet gardeners, share your compost know-how or run the popcorn machine? Email Erika, gardennetwork@southsideclt.org if you want to help out.

Bring your extra seeds to swap! & Please spread the word!!

So the past few days have really given me Spring Fever. What about you?

There are a lot of new things happening for the garden this year, and I can’t wait to tell you about them. One thing I can tell you for sure, is that there will be a restructuring party of plots who have fattened up over the years. For now, if you plan on doing any early planting, do not plant things near the border of your plot to ensure the safety of your seedlings. More information will be given about this as it gets closer to mid-April.

At the last board meeting we went over the schedule for the garden this year. As soon as I get the minutes I will post them here and also I will update the calendar.

If you would like to renew your plot from last year, please fill out the Wait List form and add your plot number in the “other information” field.

If you are unsure of your plot number, see if you can find it on the Plot Map or at least get as close as you can, as I haven’t done a physical verification of this drawing yet.

Remember: There is now an upload section for garden photos in the sidebar to the left. If you can’t see it, scroll down a little. As soon as a photo is approved, it will be posted. in the rotating gallery on the front page.

Suggestions are always welcome!

Happy Spring, Everyone!

k!

Join is for the signature event of our nearly-here Spring season (second only to, that’s right, the Plant Sale): the Urban Agriculture Spring Kick-Off!

Community, food, friends, music, dancing, popcorn machine (oh yes), and much more…

Don’t miss it!