Sunshine Community Gardens

12 December 2019

www.sunshinecommunitygardens.org

Gardener's Picture page

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Have You Finished Your Fall 2019 Volunteer Hours?

Jim Willmann reminds us there is still time to get your volunteer hours completed before the end of the year.

End of Month Deadline to Work and Record Fall Service Hours.

December 31st is the last day to complete fall service hours and January 7th is the last day to record those hours. As of 12/11, the number of required but unworked hours for all Sunshine gardeners combined was 829 regular hours and 154 TSBVI hours. Gardeners need to sure should to record their worked hours in the Virtual Green Binder on the Sunshine website. Gardeners can also use the Green Binder to see how many hours they still need to complete. Service hours not worked, and hours worked but not recorded are billed at: TSBVI Hours: $50/hr; First Two Regular Hours: $30/hr; Subsequent Regular Hours: $10/hr. Workdays are scheduled for this Saturday 12/14 and Saturday, 12/28.

Workday: Saturday 12/14, 8:30-10:30

There will be an organized workday this Saturday (12/14) from 8:30-10:30. The workday will not only be a good way to complete unworked fall service hours but also to meet fellow Sunshine gardeners. Projects and tasks needing to be done have been identified including tasks qualifying for TSBVI service. The workday will be led by zone coordinators Luda Voskov (Zone 3) and Steve Uecker (Zone 8). Check in with them in picnic area or trailer porch area for task assignments.

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Sunshine's holiday party 2019

The weather was perfect, the food delicious, the company wonderful, and the music entertaining, Thanks to everyone who made it possible. It was a magical evening.

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Interested in Saving and Swapping Seeds?

Randy Thompson reminds us:

Central texas seed savers is a growing network of people who love seeds. join us to learn all about how to preserve seeds that are diverse, locally-adapted, non-gmo, and in the public domain.

Upcoming events include:

1. Seed Collection Gathering - January 6, 2020 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
2. Seed swap and fruit tree scion swap at Texas Keeper Cidery - January 19, 2020 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
3. Hope Farmers Market Seed Swap - January 26, 2020 @ 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
4. Seed Collection Gathering - February 3, 2020 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

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Want to Live to 100? Keep Gardening!

Ila Falvey submitted the this BBC story about the benefits of urban garden.

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Recipe for Holiday Gifts or Entertaining

Suzanne Bradford shares her Holiday Recipe

Toasted Pecans

This is a great healthy recipe that can be made into Christmas gifts or just to have around for a healthy snack during the holidays. And if you want it to be extra-special, seek out some local pecans from a farmers market or your (or your neighbor's) backyard.

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Whip 1 egg white with a fork until foamy.
3. Add 3 cups unsalted pecans and toss to coat.
4. While tossing the pecans with one hand, sprinkle 2 generous tablespoons of Everything But The Bagel seasoning with your other hand. If you want, you can also add more sesame seeds.
5. Spread the nuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or waxed paper.
6. Bake about 15 minutes.
7. Let cool.

Everything But The Bagel seasoning mix can be found at Trader Joe's or Costco and typically includes coarse salt, toasted onion, toasted garlic, sesame seeds, poppy seeds. Another version of this recipe is to use za'atar seasoning mix instead of the Everything mix.

Za'atar is a blend of savory dried herbs such as oregano, marjoram or thyme, and earthy spices like cumin and coriander, with sesame seeds, salt, and sumac. Za'atar can be found in the bulk spice section at Central Market.

Enjoy!

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Want Success with Growing Onions?

What Makes Onions Blub? Ila Falvey found the this BBC article which offers suggestions for successful onion growing.

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"Tool, Tools, Tools - Select, Care, Sharpen - Making Your Life Easier"

Saturday January 18 - Time TBD

Our own SCG Tool Master, Bob Easter, plus special guest:

Sheryl Williams
Horticulture Program Assistant
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

RSVP Commitment Required - An Eventbrite Invitation will be sent

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Weeder Content

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

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