Sunshine Weekly Weeder Newsletter
4 November 2015
www.sunshinecommunitygardens.org
A Big Round of Applause for Those who Turned out Last Sunday
Thanks to all the gardeners who participated in the Workday on Sunday. All the tasks were completed.
The area around the raised beds were cleared of existing decomposed granite. Black plastic was installed and covered with cardboard. New granite was moved onto the new base. About 4 cubic yards of granite were removed and 4 cubic yards of new granite were put down. The approximate weight was 2500 lbs per square yard, so all together the crew moved around 10 tons of granite! Go look at the completed project, it looks great.
A vacant plot was cleared and is now ready to be converted into four smaller plots.
Thanks to Jim Willmann for organizing, coordinating and overseeing the effort.
TSBVI Volunteer Hour
If you still need to complete your TSBVI service hour the following tasks can be done by individual gardeners.
Maintain the fence line are along Sunshine Drive and 49th Street. Mow outside and inside the fence. Remove hackberry seedling by cutting them off below the fence.
Pick up trash in the compost area.
Replenish wood chips at the front of the TSBVI Garden.
Come Practice Yoga in the Garden
Come join us, every Tuesday evening from 6:00 - 7:00 pm in front of the portable for a free yoga class. No experience necessary. Keep yourself flexible and able to garden easily and comfortably. Ashley Weber, a fellow gardener, is leading the class. Bring towels and dress comfortably.
Any questions email Ashley at ashleyaline@yahoo.com.
Tip of the Week
Thanks to Brite Ideas via Susan Hoberman:
Never use tap water with microbial inoculants because the chlorine and chloramines will kill the bacterial and fungal biology!
Mosquito Management
With the all the rain, expect mosquitoes to pop out again. When it comes to managing mosquitoes, remember the 4 D's.
- DRAIN- Drain all standing water. Check rain water collection systems (hopefully you have screening to block mosquitoes on your rainwater system), dishes under flower pots, pet dishes, buckets, tree holes and low lying areas in the yard. If you have areas of standing water that it is not possible to drain, try using mosquito dunks (active ingredient Bacillus thuringiensis var.israelensis).
- DUSK & DAWN- Mosquitoes are most active during dusk and dawn, so try to avoid being outside during the peak times.
- DRESS- Dress in light-colored clothing with long sleeves and long pants.
- DEET- Wear some type of insect repellent. DEET is a common insect repellent for mosquitoes and works very well, but there are other options. Other active ingredients to look for are picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. The Insects in the City blog has a great post on repellents.
Check out the Mosquito Safari website for more information on mosquitoes.
Here is the vegetable gardener's checklist for November:
- Check cole crops regularly for caterpillar damage and treat with products containing Bt or spinosad as needed. Regular applications may be needed to avoid serious damage; follow label instructions for application rate and frequency
- Watch for snail and pill bug damage around young plants; control with baits that contain iron phosphate.
- Plant spinach and other leafy greens from seed or transplants.
- Feed vegetables with fish emulsion or other water soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
- Pay attention to the forecast and be prepared for the first freeze: drain hoses, insulate exposed faucets and install and secure row cover over tender plants.
- Pull weeds throughout the winter and add them to the compost. They are a valuable source of green during the winter months.
Average Frost Dates
Each winter, on average, our risk of frost is from December 6 through February 17th.
Almost certainly, however, you will receive frost from December 28 through January 23rd.
What's On:
Saturday, November 7, 2015, at 10:00 am
Natural Gardener
Judy Barrett, editor and publisher of "Homegrown: Good Sense Organic Gardening" and author of several popular gardening books, presents "Easy Edibles!"
This class will discuss ways to enjoy the bounty of food that can be grown in the Austin Area. Her newest book is "Easy Edibles: How to Grow and Enjoy Fresh Food."
Things to Plant in November
Early to mid month: Carrot, Chard, Mustard, Turnip, Kale, Lettuce, Radish, Spinach
Officer and Zone Coordinator Contacts - Sunshine Garden
Officers
- President - Jeff Monks garden@jeffmonks.com
- Vice President - Jim Willmann jhwillmann@gmail.com
- Secretary - Shannon Posern shannonposern@gmail.com
- Treasurer - Caroline Limaye scgtreasurer1@gmail.com
- Director - Michael Hall fibercable@austin.rr.com
- Director - Kay McMurry scg.plots@gmail.com
- Director - Vacant
Zone Coordinators
- Zone 1, Jody Trendler jody.trendler@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, Jing Li jingli80@yahoo.com
- Zone 8, Irina Kadukova irina@austinshrooms.com
- Zone 9, Cheryl Hazeltine cph@austin.rr.com
- Zone 10, Christopher Schroder christopher.s.schroder@gmail.com
Other Coordinators
- Weekly Weeder Newsletter - Margaret Powis purslane2013@gmail.com
- Plant Sale - Michael Hall fibercable@austin.rr.com
- TSBVI Liason & Volunteer Coordinator - Janet Adams jartdaht@gmailcom
- Plot Rental - Kay McMurry scg.plots@gmail.com
- Compost Coordinator - Janet Adams jartdaht@gmail.com
- Compost Tea - Jennifer Woertz jennifer.woertz@urs.com
- Education Committee - Shannon Posern shannonposern@gmail.com
- Carpentry & Repairs - Robert Jarry r.jarry@sbcglobal.net
- Water Leak Repairs - Stewart Nichols sgwater@math.austin.tx.us
- Tools & Wheelbarrows - Bob Easter beaster1@austin.rr.com
- Compost Tea - Jennifer Woertz jennifer.woertz@urs.com
- Website Coordinator - Sharon Rempert scgardenweb@gmail.com
Record Service Hours Online - the Virtual Green Binder
