Post #8 - August 28th Preparation for Winter Starts

It Seems A Little Early, But...

We started tackling the stuff to be done to let the garden have a nice winter's rest.  Unfortunately, I did not think to take photos until after everyone had left.  The photos below are without the great gardeners doing the tasks, but they will give you an idea of what is going on.

Our group consisted of Martha Alexander, Pam Warner, Sally McMahan, Jennifer Clement, Ann Munro, Jerald Smith and me (Betsi).  We have renamed Jerald the Human Green-waste Compactor (HGC).  He has taken over from Becky Endzell as the best jump-in-the-can-and-smash-the-green-down person.  Our team filled the cans to their brims several times, so Jerald did a lot of jumping.

He also attacked the job of consolidating the items in the large storage shed area where we store the Children's Program's wheelbarrows, watering cans, and hose paraphernalia.  The outcome was that more than half of the space has been freed up to use for storing items in the small shed!

Martha did a wicked job of pruning back the Cape Fuchsia bush that was groping people at the garden entrance sign.  She just didn't have the heart to take all of the blossoms away from the hummingbirds.  At the next work party, on September 11th, she has promised to cut back what is left.  I hope the hummingbirds are taking advantage of their extra nectar time.

Anne and Jerald freed Herb Robert from the invading Lemon Balm.  We know it will reappear next year, but for now he sits comfortably in a less crowded garden.

The pumpkins, gourds and winter squash have turned into sprinkler eating plants.
 The "tunnel" vines actually took over the sprinkler we set up to water multiple planting beds, hogging all of the water to itself and one other bed of squash.  It has overgrown the planter bed that held radishes.  Unfortunately that meant that the summer squash that were small or in bloom did not receive any water during the past week or so.  The fruit that had already set was huge, but the new fruit was spongy.  So we picked all of the
available summer squash (yellow, crook-neck and zucchini) and then pulled out the vines.  This allowed me to cover the bed for winter.  Two beds down - only 18 to go.  Jennifer helped to wrestle the sprinkler from the pumpkin tunnel and we hope that it stands on its own for then next 2 weeks of sprinkling.

Pam operated on the smoke-tree and the rose bush next to the hops trellis.  The branches of the smoke tree were blocking the path through the trellis and laying on the ground in the path of the aggressive Nootka Rosa.  Both are beautiful separately, but together were very overgrown.  Now they have been separated and will grow next to each other in peace, though I think that the Nootka could be trimmed back even further if someone would like to continue pruning it on September 11th.

Seeding sunflower heads were cut off and hung for the birds, while their jack-in-the-bean-stalk-like trunks were cut up for the green waste.  I wonder if birds can become obese?!

All the while we pulled and picked and twisted enough produce to give Poulsbo's Fishline 100 pounds of rhubarb, summer squash, beans, peas, cucumbers, and tomatoes.  It was amazing.

The next and last regular WORK PARTY is September 11th from 9 - 12. 

Come on over and help harvest!  Jennifer Clement is bringing her husband on a garden tractor to help move some of the massive mound of wood chips to the back of the garden and into the area of the semi-circular bench.  Judy Morgan will be the Work Party Leader.

SEPTEMBER 15th is CLEAN OUT THE SHEDS DAY FROM 9AM - 3PM!! 

Normally that Monday would be a leadership team meeting day, but the team decided we needed to use our time on clean up and not discussion.  We need you to help us organize and prepare for our NEW SHED!  The Poulsbo Garden Club has contributed a $500 grant and the Poulsbo Rotary has contributed a $1,200 grant.  Bob Nordnes is donating the cement for our 8' by 8' pad.  AND the Poulsbo Rotary is donating their members to help construct or shed on site.  The old slouching little shed will be demolished and replaced by a taller shed with the same footprint.  The details of the new shed kit are hanging in the big shed on one of the cork boards. 

We need as many hand and minds available as possible to accomplish the following on September 15th:

• Assess and organize the Children's Program's kits
• Clean out and make as much space as possible in the big shed.
• Empty the little shed, moving the items inside into other storage areas.
• Take out the mini-garden next to the little shed.
• Take down the irrigation "system" in the garden.
• Take down the hoop house.

Come when you can and stay as long as possible.  Bring a lunch.  Beverages and something sweet to munch will be provided. 

On October 15th from 8:30 - 12:00 we will be working with the 6th and 7th grade students from West Sound Academy to complete the final harvests and cover the last planting beds. 

Their teacher, Jennifer Silvernail, will join us with about 25 young people.  Any of you that need your final few hours in a garden or just enjoy working along side the next generation, please join us.

Happy Labor Day to All,
Betsi