Sunshine Weekly Weeder Newsletter
6 April 2017
www.sunshinecommunitygardens.org
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All Gardeners Meeting - Mark your calendar
Saturday, May 20th - 10:00 am
Agenda:
- Election of new officers.
- Rate Increase discussion and member ratification vote.
- Other site change rules discussion and member ratification vote. More details to come.
Rate Increase
The board discussed the fee increase at several meetings and Carol Limaye, as treasurer, prepared several scenarios of Sunshine's projected financial situation. Based on a review of these scenarios and its discussions, the board decided the proposed fee increase was the best business decision. Some may ask why an increase now? As one of the board members commented: "The time for a fee increase is when times are good not after there is a crisis." The board believes the fee increase would help secure the finances of our organization so we can continue to operate and make improvements regardless of the outcome of plant sales or major disasters.
In accordance with the process for implementing fee increases, the board has amended the site rules to reflect its recommendation and members will be asked to ratify the amendment at the May 20th A ll-Gardeners meeting. If members ratify the amendment, the fee increase will be implemented. If they do not, the amendment will be considered repealed and no fee increase will be implemented.
The board urges members to ratify the increase at the All Gardeners meeting. However, if you have any questions or wish to see the supporting analysis, please contact Carol Limaye at (512) 445-6670.
Recommended Rates:
Effective August 1, 2017: | Effective August 1, 2019: | |
---|---|---|
Quarter Plots: | $35 (no change) | $37.50 ($2.50 increase) |
Half Plots: | $50 ($5.00 increase) | $55.00 ($5.00 increase) |
Full Plots: | $100 ($10.00 increase) | $110.00 ($10.00 increase) |
Sunshine Financial Status Quo (no change to rates)
If we implement recommended plot fee increase
Sunshine Web Site - Gardeners Handbook
Did you know you can access the Gardeners Handbook and lots of other good information on our web site?
Handbook - (docx)
Handbook - (pdf)
Missing Tools
Several tools have gone missing. If you take a tool from the shed make sure you return it before you leave the garden.
Funky Chicken Coop Tour
April 15th, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
It's Time To Get Your Coop Tour Tickets
It's one of the most unique and squawked-about tours in town -- don't miss out on the 2017 Funky Chicken Coop Tour! As a Tour participant, you will tour coops located at homes around Austin to catch a rare firsthand look at the many innovative ways Austin's chicken and other poultry keepers are tapping into backyard birds' potential to transform household waste into valuable compost for lawn and garden. Learn how these delightful animals can help minimize the amount of waste our city sends to the landfill. Get inspired to create or enhance your own coop!
East Austin Garden Fair
April 8th, 9 am to 2:00 pm
Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center, 2608 Gonzales St. in Austin.
Information
There will be a variety of free gardening items and educational materials for adults, plus hands-on learning activities for children, at the East Austin Garden Fair. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)
Build Strong Garden Teams - Interactive Training
April 25th, 6:00 to 8:00 pm & April 26th, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Sustainable Food Center
2921 E. 17th St Bldg C
Austin, Tx 78722
Community and school gardens are a lot like miniature, volunteer-run organizations, and to thrive long term, they need leadership from strong, constructive teams.
However, with a variety of personalities and priorities in the mix, working together is not always easy!
At this interactive training, we will focus on strategies for successful collaboration. We'll learn strategies for making decisions as a group, as well as how to draw the best from diverse personalities and leadership styles to build strong teams.
We encourage 2 people from each garden to attend, but ask that participation from each garden is limited to 2 people, so that multiple gardens may attend. Thank you!
- Childcare available by request (request must be made up to 2 weeks before the event).
- Snacks will be provided.
Registration closes one business day before class. All attendees must register to attend.
Questions? Contact Sari Albornoz at sari@sustainablefoodcenter.org or 512-220-1087.
Community Garden - Leadership Training
May 16, 6:00 - 8:00 pm & May 17, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Sustainable Food Center
2921 E. 17th St Bldg C
Austin, Tx 78722
Community gardens are vibrant shared spaces for growing fresh food, learning, and building friendships. Create or strengthen one in your neighborhood! In this interactive training, we will cover: locating community support and resources for your garden, accessing land and water, organizing a strong garden team, school-specific strategies and guidelines, garden management, and more. You'll hear from a community garden leader about his/her experiences starting and sustaining his/her garden.
If you are interested in creating a school garden, this training is also for you. The content of this training is similar to that of the School Garden Leadership Training.
- Trainings are for adults. Youth ages 12 and up may attend with close parent/guardian supervision during class.
- Childcare available by request (request must be made up to 2 weeks before the event).
- Registration closes one business day before class. All attendees must register to attend.
If you have questions contact Sari Albornoz at sari@sustainablefoodcenter.org or 512-220-1087
Community Garden - Leadership Training
May 16, 6:00 - 8:00 pm & May 17, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Sustainable Food Center
2921 E. 17th St Bldg C
Austin, Tx 78722
Community gardens are vibrant shared spaces for growing fresh food, learning, and building friendships. Create or strengthen one in your neighborhood! In this interactive training, we will cover: locating community support and resources for your garden, accessing land and water, organizing a strong garden team, school-specific strategies and guidelines, garden management, and more. You'll hear from a community garden leader about his/her experiences starting and sustaining his/her garden.
If you are interested in creating a school garden, this training is also for you. The content of this training is similar to that of the School Garden Leadership Training.
- Trainings are for adults. Youth ages 12 and up may attend with close parent/guardian supervision during class.
- Childcare available by request (request must be made up to 2 weeks before the event).
- Registration closes one business day before class. All attendees must register to attend.
If you have questions contact Sari Albornoz at sari@sustainablefoodcenter.org or 512-220-1087
What to do in your garden in April
Sow Seeds
Vegetable: Lima Beans, Snap Beans, Beets, Chard. Okra, Black-eyed Peas, Radishes, Malabar Spinach, New Zealand Spinach, and Summer Squash. LATE APRIL: Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Pumpkin.
Fruits:Late April: Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Watermelon.
Herbs: Anise, Artemesia, Basil, Bay Laurel, Catnip, Chives, Costmary, Cumin, Fenugreek, Scented Geranium, Germander, Horehound, Lamb's Ear, Lavender, Lemon Grass, Lemon Verbena, Mexican Mint Marigold, Oregano, Perilla, Rosemary, Sage, Santolina, Summer Savory, Winter Savory, Sesame, Sorrel, Tansy, Tarragon, Thyme, Woodruff, Yarrow.
Annuals: Ageratum, Balsam, Celosia, Cleome, Coleus, Coreopsis, Cosmos, Cypress Vine, Four o'Clocks, Gomphrena, Gourds, Hyacinth Bean Vine, Impatiens, Moonflower Vine, Periwinkle, Sunflower, Tithonia, Zinnias.
Plant
Vegetables: Eggplant, Peppers, Squashes (summer or winter), Sweet Potato Slips, Tomatillo, Tomato
Fruits: Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Watermelon.
Herbs: Anise, Artemesia, Basil, Bay Laurel, Catnip, Chives, Comfrey, Costmary, Cumin, Fennel, Fenugreek, Scented Geranium, Germander, Horehound, Lamb's Ear, Lavender, Lemon Grass, Lemon Verbena, Mexican Mint Marigold, Oregano, Perilla, Rosemary, Sage, Santolina, Summer Savory, Winter Savory, Sesame, Sorrel, Tansy, Tarragon, Thyme, Woodruff, Yarrow.
Annuals: Ageratum, Balsam, Begonias, Blue Daze, Caladiums, Celosia, Cleome, Coleus, Copper Plants, Gazania, Geranium, Globe Amaranth, Impatiens, Marigold, Penta, Periwinkle, Drummond Phlox, Portulaca, Purslane, Torenia, Zinnia.
Bulbs: Caladium, Elephant Ears, Lily.
Perennials: Black-eyed Susan, Coneflower, Shasta Daisy, Ox Eye daisy, Four Nerve Daisy, Lantana, Plumbago, Salvia, Yarrow, and many many more.
Weeder Content
Should you have any content to add to the Weeder email your articles or suggestions to pporter_scg@austin.rr.com.
Officer and Zone Coordinator Contacts - Sunshine Gardens
Officers
- President - Jeff Monks garden@jeffmonks.com
- Vice President - Jim Willmann jhwillmann@gmail.com
- Secretary - Polly Porter pporter_scg@austin.rr.com
- Treasurer - Caroline Limaye scgtreasurer1@gmail.com
- Director - Bill Cason wccason@gmail.com
- Director - Lori Dobbin loridobbin@gmail.com
- Director - Randy Thompson jartdaht@gmail.com
Email the board.
Zone Coordinators
- Zone 1, Martin Morales marmoral512@gmail.com
- Zone 2, Katy Davis katydavis@austin.rr.com
- Zone 3, Ludmila Voskov lvoskov@austin.rr.com
- Zone 4, Ila Falvey ila.falvey@gmail.com
- Zone 5, Mary Gifford mgifford@austin.rr.com
- Zone 6, Charlotte Jernigan charlotte@cybermesa.com
- Zone 7, Maria and Philip Wiley m.stroeva@gmail.com, philip9wiley@gmail.com
- Zone 8, Shannon Posern sposern@hotmail.com
- Zone 9, Kerry Howell casonhowell@gmail.com
- Zone 10, Christopher Schroder
christopher.s.schroder@gmail.com &
Karl Arcuri karl.w.arcuri@gmail.com
Other Personnel
- Weekly Weeder Newsletter - Polly Porter pporter_scg@austin.rr.com
- Plant Sale - Randy Thompson & Janet Adams jartdaht@gmailcom
- TSBVI Liaison & Volunteer Coordinator - Janet Adams jartdaht@gmailcom
- Plot Assignment - Kay McMurry scg.plots@gmail.com
- Compost Coordinator - Janet Adams jartdaht@gmail.com
- Education Committee - Shannon Posern shannonposern@gmail.com
- Carpentry & Repairs - Robert Jarry r.jarry@sbcglobal.net
- Water Leak Repairs - Steve Schulz sschulz784@aol.com
- Tools & Wheelbarrows - Bob Easter beaster1@austin.rr.com
- Kitchen Supplies - Anita Keese
anodekraft1@msn.com
(If supplies are needed for events, contact by email or at 512-773-2178) - Compost Tea - Jennifer Woertz jen@enjeneer.com
- Micah 6 - Dana Kuykendall kuykendall@austin.rr.com
- Micah 6 - Mary Gifford mgifford@austin.rr.com
- Website Coordinator - Sharon Rempert scgardenweb@gmail.com
Record Service Hours Online - Green Binder