28 April, 2022
www.sunshinecommunitygardens.org
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.
In this Issue:
- Compost help needed
- Rain, rain, rain!!!
- Roadway Etiquette
- Meet other Sunshiners on social media
- Reminder: All Gardener's Meeting and Election of New SCG Board on Saturday, May 21st
- Reminder: Perimeter Fence Construction starts May 4
- Service Hours task list
Compost Help Needed!
Check out the treasures that Randy Thompson found in the compost. To prevent this, please take the time to read the compost guide on our website: http://www.sunshinecommunitygardens.org#compost
A few things you can do to help the compost operation:
- use a trash bucket when clearing and weeding your plot for the rocks, plant tags, zip ties, plastic from cardboard used as mulch and other things that don't decompose or take too long to decompose (bamboo, wood, woodchips)
- take the time to chop your plants at the pile, not only does it make it possible for the machines to grind but the trash you missed will be easier to see
- remember when harvesting to use the buckets for whatever is left in the screens, if you are not willing to put it in your plot it is unlikely anyone else wants it in theirs
- if you see something that doesn't belong please pick it up, unwanted things are much harder to deal with in bigger piles
Rain, Rain, Rain!
Are you wondering how much rain we got at Sunshine? If so, just check the WeatherUnderground station at Sunshine. It shows we got 1.72" this week.
Roadway Etiquette
Keep garden roadways clear so other vehicles can steer!
Please park in common areas or the parking lot and not on the roadways! We need to keep roads clear in the event an emergency vehicle should need to access an area of the garden. Please use care when backing up in order to avoid running over garden borders or frames (we've had a few run over lately.)
A reminder that the Site Rules say:
- Speed limit is 3 MPH. (Primarily for safety, but also to keep the dust down.)
- Sunshine's roads provide access to plots and common areas. Gardeners should not
- park on roads except to unload a heavy load from vehicle,
- drive on roads when wet,
- drive around barriers,
- drive into another gardener's plot, or
- put plants or other items in the road.
- Cars may not be left idling while at the garden.
- Park only in the front parking area or your common area. On weekends there are parking spaces on Sunshine and 49th Streets.
Meet the Community!
The faces of Sunshine! Here are a few of the recent stories about our community members have been featured on our social media channels.
https://www.instagram.com/sunshine_community_gardens_atx/
https://www.facebook.com/sunshinecommunitygardens
We are always looking for gardeners who wish to participate! Please let Kristin Phillips know if you are interested either at SCG or by email (phillips.102@gmail.com)
Wheelbarrows
Wonder what the white paint spots on the back of the wheelbarrows which have appeared on some of the units recently? Twice a year, every year, each wheelbarrow has to be examined and repaired for loose bolts, broken supports, wheels needing lubricated, tires replaced, etc.
What Bob Easter is finding is that some of our members are using the small red wheelbarrows to haul heavy loads. Heavy loads are damaging these units. Please use a larger wheelbarrow if you are hauling heavy soil, rocks or a combination heavy load.
Reminder: All-Gardener Meeting Sat, May 21
Sunshine's 2022 annual meeting will be Saturday, May 21. The agenda will include election of the secretary, three directors, and also the Nominating Committee. (Election of the secretary and directors will continue online for five days after the meeting). More information abut other agenda items will be provided before the meeting.
Perimeter Fence Replacement Start Date Set
May 4 is the date for TSBVI to begin work on replacing Sunshine's perimeter fence. The work will start on the TSBVI campus so exact date work will begin on Sunshine fence remains open.
Garden Tasks - By Steve Camp
Howdy! I hope everyone is having a great planting season so far!
Next Scheduled Workday - TBD in May
Tasks for Service Hours
Priority Tasks
- Mowing and edging along 49th St
- Maintaining common paths and common areas. If you have plants extending into common paths, trim them. The common paths are designed to allow the biggest wheelbarrows that we own to traverse them unimpeded.
TSVBI
- Weeding paths in TSBVI garden and wood chip areas on west side. (This is normally needed. Try to get out roots. Be sure to smooth out paths after weeding to facilitate TSBVI students moving around garden).
- Picking up trash in compost area and along fence lines.
- Cleaning the street curb gutters of dirt and debris buildup. (At places in the curb gutter along Sunshine Dr. And 49th St. soil has built up and grass is beginning to grow. Scrape off with shovel and put in wheelbarrow. If debris is gravel it can be put in low places in the parking lot, otherwise, destination is dumpster.
- Weeding granite area around raised beds.
Regular
- Mowing (Please check area around trailer and greenhouses). The mowing season is slowing down somewhat, let's get to work on the common paths. There is bermuda grass growing up in many spots that needs to be dug up.
- Maintaining common paths. (Gardeners are required to maintain a 2' strip of common paths adjacent to their plot.)
- Mowing and cleaning up overgrown/messy places in common areas.
Note: TSBVI hour tasks can also count as regular hours.
Your Zone Coordinator may have more tasks than are listed here. Contact them if you feel that you have run out of things to do.
Slow Down . . . You're on Garden Time! Enjoy!
Weeder Content
Please submit
weekly weeder articles, photos, and recipes by Wednesday to both Co-Editors:
Maria Beach at dr.maria.beach@gmail.com
Garden Thoughts
Calendar
Ongoing
Board Meetings
Second Tuesday of every month.
Keep in touch
Join us on social media
