Sunshine Community Gardens

19 March, 2020

www.sunshinecommunitygardens.org

Gardener's Picture page

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If you are signed up to receive the Weekly Weeder and have not been receiving it, here is a troubleshooting page to help. If this doesn't help, please let Sharon at scgardenweb@gmail.com know. Thanks.

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Happy Spring!

Today is Vernal Equinox Day in the USA. In Japan, Vernal Equinox Day is tomorrow. See the this interesting article in Vox.

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A Project for Your TSBVI Volunteer Hour

Randy Thompson reports that if any gardeners need their TSBVI hour the granite around the school's beds are in danger of turning into a lawn. Digging things out works better than hoeing and please ask folks to smooth the surface for safety of the students.

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Master Gardeners Need 4" Plastic Pots

Ila Falvey reports that The Master Gardeners need 4 inch pots so rather than recycling them, please leave your empty ones on the porch table and Ila will collect them for the Master Gardeners.

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Aerobic Compost Tea Available

Ila Falvey reports that Aerobic Compost Tea is available to gardeners at the Garden. FYI worm castings are used as the source of the microorganisms. Read more about Worm Castings aerobic tea.

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Possible Q&A Session about COVID-19

Sunday 3/22 at 5 pm at Sunshine

(Q & A session will take place ONLY if does not violate social distancing rules). Check back to make sure this event has not been cancelled.

Jeff Taylor, senior epidemiologist at Austin Public Health and member of Sunshine's board of directors has graciously volunteered to hold a question and answer session about COVID-19 Sunday at 5. The discussion will take place on the lawn in front of the trailer. Please remember "social distancing." If you need a chair, please feel free to get one from the trailer. Jeff is one of Austin's most knowledgeable scientists on this subject and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to benefit from his knowledge.

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Message from Sunshine about COVID-19

Hello Sunshine Gardeners,

These are strange times that can leave your head spinning. However, by working together and all of us practicing some simple steps and behaviors and of course eating our delicious produce- we can slow the spread of this virus.

Things we can do.

For the community:

1. Keep coming to the garden. We need the fresh air, exercise, community, and vegetables. The grass will continue to need to be mowed.
2. Speaking of vegetables- please pick and give anything you do not want or need and put in the trailer for our weekly delivery to the food bank. Food banks are going to be strained as different parts of the economy show stress such as entertainment, sports, and travel- all of which are huge parts of our local economy here. We usually donate around 2000 pounds a year, lets do more!
3. Remain calm, kind, and decent to one another. If you need help-ask for some.

For yourself and the community:

1. Social distancing - keep some distance - not a problem at the garden.
2. Wash your hands - more often than you probably think you should. A good rule of thumb is hum Happy Birthday 2 times while washing.

Further resources and FAQs can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html.

Rest assured, Sunshine will continue to be open and the blooming, booming, and beautiful place it always has been. With your help and efforts that will continue.

Thank you,

Steve Uecker

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Are You a Gardener at High Risk of COVID-19?

Gardening Assistance May be Available

Jennifer Boley, a Sunshine Gardener and the Executive Director, Nature & Eclectic Outdoors (NEO) and Program Director, Healthy Outdoor Communities (HOC) has reached out to the leadership of Sunshine Community Garden to let those of us at Sunshine know that NEO is available to assist gardeners who may not be able to tend to their gardens during the COVID-19 outbreak. NEO is the group that has the garden plot with raised beds directly in front of the office. NEO realizes that some Sunshine gardeners may not be able to work in their gardens regularly due to their risk factors or concerns regarding this illness. If you are aware of any gardeners who need help during this time, please let Jennifer know how she or one of our other NEO gardeners can assist. Please contact Jennifer through NEO at (512) 731-0936 or at www.neoproject.org. Many Thanks Jennifer for your generous offer.

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Weeder Content

Please email your article or suggestion to Holly Gilman by end of day Wednesday.

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