Minutes of the All-Gardener's Meeting-October 5, 2013

Approximately 30 gardeners attended.

Reminder - Buy your winter transplants at TSBVI's sale.

Rabbits - are probably living under the toolshed and the trailer. We discussed fencing the perimeter of these buildings leaving them partly open at one end, and setting up cages to catch the rabbits as they leave to eat. We are looking for volunteers to install the fencing. Please let me know

Fire ant bait - is available for use. Please use it properly. Fire ants forage during the cool morning hours and late evening. Each mound requires no more than 4 - 6 tablespoons of bait and it should be spread near the mound, but not on top of the mound. Ants forage away from their mounds. Cheryl Hazeltine is going to send send Margaret Powis the recipe for Howard Garrett's bait for treating fireants to be published in the Weeder.

Tractor - we have a new tractor and several people have been trained to use it.

Maintenance - Maintenance of both individual gardens and the garden was discussed. We are obligated under our contract with TSBVI to maintain the garden and everyone was urged to do their part.

TSBVI hours - what counts: maintaining the fence line, weeding it of Johnson grass hackberries, and other weeds. We are leaving the vine with red berries (Carolina snailseed). Also maintaining the compost area (picking up trash and rocks and mowing) counts as TSBVI hours.

Financial report - Is available. Contact Ila Falvey

Water - TSBVI is using our water for their greenhouse. They are working to fix their water system and may drill their own well. Conserving water is strongly urged. Our water bill from January 2013 to August 2013 is almost $8,000.

Nichole Fisher is taking over Michael Mobley's position at TSBVI.

Reusable items - place them outside the toolshed to the left of the door. Don't put usable pots or plant trays in the trash. The only plant that belongs in the dumpster is khaki weed. Also, do not put trash from home in the dumpster and make sure items placed in the dumpster actually fit. Please flatten produce boxes before placing in the dumpster.

Compost piles - A reminder to place garden waste in the appropriate piles

Audit committee - we have a new audit committee to review our books. The members are Carol Limaye, Beth Schlecter, and Teresa Chatkoff.

Site rules - we need to revise our site rules and bylaws. We're looking for volunteers to be on the committee. They should have patience, good negotiating skills, and a long attention span.

Compost operation - we would like to expand our composting efforts. Contact Ila if you would be willing to solicit businesses for materials and/or would be willing to pick up materials for the compost pile.

Monthly open house - Ila brought up the idea of having a monthly open house, now that the weather is cooler. We would have volunteers available to show the garden to visitors who drop in.

Compost - Revitalizer compost from the Natural Gardener is available to gardeners, 10 gallons per full plot and 5 gallons per half and quarter plots.

Produce theft - some people have reported thefts of produce. If you see someone that you don't recognize, politely ask them where their plot is. Another option is to take a picture of them.


Addendum

A committee to work on the Site rules and By law revisions. Contact any member of the board to volunteer for this job.

Solicit and collect more materials for our compost operation. These would include contacting nearby restaurants for appropriate vegetable debris for our compost pile. Please contact Ila Falvey if you are interested.>/p>

It was suggested that we obtain several feral cats (neutered, of course) to live at the garden and control rodents. Any comments?

Any volunteers to give monthly tours of Sunshine Gardens? Contact any board member

Reminders