Sunshine Weekly Weeder Newsletter
22 July 2015
www.sunshinecommunitygardens.org
Today !
22 July at 7:30 pm Bats in the Backyard by Nevin Darish, ecologist.
Learn about the benefits and dispel myths of having bats in your backyard garden. Presentation will include a demonstration at sunset to detect what bats we might have near Sunshine Community Gardens.
Light refreshments will be provided.
July in the Garden
July in a Texas garden is not a time for wimpy plants (or gardeners). The constant heat tests both plants, gardeners and soil. A few plants will survive but it's really a time of dormancy for most. It is also a time to work on getting the garden ready for fall planting. Apply compost and water in and then cover with a mulch. The leaf pile in the south-east section of Sunshine is a free and effective source of mulch. When the temperatures finally cool down the mulch can be pulled back and plants put in.
Mulch does at least three things, it protects the soil and soil organisms from some of the heat. It slows down the loss of moisture and it will dissuade about 90% of the weeds from establishing themselves. In addition it will gradually decompose and add humus to the soil.
If you are planting during July, make sure you water the area to be planted, thoroughly before either putting in seeds or plants.
Gardeners should also take care when working in the hot weather. Make sure you have a large supply of water for drinking, dehydration can be a problem. Wear sunscreen and a hat. If you start to feel the effects of too much heat, remember there is a cool room in the trailer with a air conditioner in it. Just go sit in that room until you feel better. Generally it is best to work first thing in the morning or in the evening.
Things to plant in July
Mid to Late month: Corn, Eggplant, Peppers, Southern Peas, Tomatoes, Winter Squash, Amaranth and Okra.
Officer and Zone Coordinator Contacts - Sunshine Garden
Officers
- President - Jeff Monks garden@jeffmonks.com
- Vice President - Jim Willmann jwillmann@texasnurses.org
- Secretary - Vacant scgsecretary@gmail.com
- Treasurer - Caroline Limaye scgtreasurer1@gmail.com
- Director - Michael Hall fibercable@austin.rr.com
- Director - Kay McMurry scg.plots@gmail.com
- Director - Shannon Posern posern@hotmail.com
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
- Website Coordinator - Sharon Rempert scgardenweb@gmail.com
Record Service Hours Online - the Virtual Green Binder