The Modern Victory Garden

Garden Report

The pac choi and chinese cabbages are all growing marvelously.   I planted several succession plantings of each, and they have been quite content with our cool and damp spring such that I have a whole bunch of them that are mature with lots more coming along right behind them.   Here’s some pac choi that I harvested for dinner tonight from the oldest planting:            

And here are some more pac choi that is growing in another bed (second planting).   They are not far behind the first group.                

The romaine lettuces are also growing nicely and I will not have to wait long before I can harvest some for a Caesar salad.   And yes, those are even more pac choi plants growing behind the romaine lettuces!             

At this point in the season, our harvestable items include;

• rhubarb
• chives
• swiss chard
• green onions
• chinese cabbage
• kale
• lettuces; and
• pac choi (of course!)

Many other things are growing along nicely, but will be off the menu for yet a while longer.   I noticed this morning that the first plant is breaking through the soil surface in the potato patch.   The beets, carrots, turnips, sugar snap peas, and dill are all emerged.   The pea patch is almost tall enough to latch on to the first horizontal support with their tendrils.  The corn patch is doing fine despite some cool temps at night.   The tomatoes are quite content under their protective covers, and the peppers and basil in the unheated greenhouse are happy campers.   I am impressed with the good leaf canopy of these Lady Bell peppers. 

I am even more impressed that they continue to flower and set fruit despite being outside in the cool temperatures.                         

Not so happy (but for the most part doing okay) are the cucurbit family plants.   I am going to lose a few of the cucumbers and already lost one of the butternut squash plants, but I think the rest will hang in there.    It would be really nice if the weather would at least get up to average temps for this time of year.         

Giving Garden    

An individual from the Kingston Farm and Garden Co-op recently contacted me by email about a Giving Garden they are working on this year.   The group will be growing produce for local food banks and schools.   I was immediately interested in this effort for many reasons, but primarily because 1) Kingston is practically in my backyard; 2) I love to garden (even if it is on someone else’s property!); and 3) now more than ever, many people in our community could use a helping hand and if it comes in the form of really good organic produce - than so much the better.    I intend to join this group on Saturday morning to help in any way I am able.   I would encourage my blog readers who live in the local area to consider doing the same.    Here is more info on the Giving Garden and the upcoming kickoff meeting from their flyer.

KINGSTON CO-OP GIVING GARDEN

What:

The Giving Garden is a dedicated plot of land (initially 40'x200') where we will be growing produce for local food banks and schools.   The land, irrigation, off-street parking, and sanican are all being graciously provided by Farrago Farm.   All we need is more volunteers!                 

Where:

Farrago Farm and Vineyard (FF&V), about 4 miles W of Kingston, WA          

When:

First planting, seedling swap (and donation), and an organizational meeting will be at the garden site on May 14, from 10 am to 12 noon.              

Who is involved:

Anyone and everyone interested in volunteering a little time to help grow vegetables for our local food banks and schools is welcome to be involved.   We are asking Master Gardeners and others for help in planning, scheduling and management.   We are asking local students, FFA, 4-H and anyone else who is interested to donate time.   We are asking local nurseries to consider donating materials and seedlings.                   

Who benefits:

· The harvest recipients.   The crops are intended for food banks, senior citizens, and/or school lunches.   Multiple groups have been contacted and distribution systems are being established.

· The garden workers.   Besides the satisfaction of benefiting the community and getting a little exercise, this is also community service which is eminently resumé-worthy.                

What has been done:

The ground has been plowed on the first area (40 feet by 200 feet).  This plot has been fallow for several years.   We have drip irrigation supplies and plastic weed barrier (both donated) for at least part of this plot.          

A second plot (about 80 feet by 150 feet) can be “turned” if we run out of room on the first plot.   This second plot slopes slightly north, but three years ago was planted in cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and kohl rabi, and produced a huge bumper crop.   It has lain fallow since.                   

FF&V is providing water free of charge.   There is off-street parking.   Workers may also use the FF&V (professionally-maintained) sanican.      

What you can do to help:

· Spend time in the garden planting, watering, weeding, weeding, weeding, harvesting, prepping produce & delivering.

· Donate your time for planning the garden, setting volunteer schedules, training and overseeing inexperienced volunteers, seeking donations and grants, promoting the garden, identifying customers.

· Donate “starts”. When you plant a packet of seeds in trays, do you ever have more “starts” than you can make room for? Donate your “extras” to the Giving Garden!

· Donate hand tools. We have a few tools on loan from FF&V – a rake, a hoe, a shovel, some tomato cages – but it would be helpful to have tools belonging to the Giving Garden, so workers do not need to haul their own back and forth, and so plant pests aren’t inadvertently introduced to the Garden.

· Donate money or materials.   We will need to acquire more irrigation materials, at the very least.  And in order to extend the growing season into Fall and get going earlier next Spring, we should consider using hoop houses.   A small lockable tool shed would also be very helpful to have at the site.                                   

What are the restrictions?

· Both plots are adjacent to FF&V grape trellises.   The Giving Garden will primarily use a drip irrigation system, both to conserve water and to avoid damaging the grapes.

· The Giving Garden will use sustainable and organic practices to the greatest extent possible

Laura

kitsapfreedomgardener