We have had 50 bales of mulch hay delivered–currently under the big blue tarp.
Anyone who has a paid-up plot for 2020 is entitled to one free bale per
plot. And of course, our composted manure has been very popular and is
available to garden members as well.
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New bulletin board at the garden
Thanks to Pete for the new bulletin board in the garden.
Getting a jump on the season
Andy Costello at the far end of his garden–getting a
nice early jump on things. Lettuce and some other cold weather crops
already coming up.
Bee boxes in the garden
An anonymous benefactor put up two bee boxes in trees on the side of the garden
where our compost bins are.
The boxes are meant to attract Mason bees, a stingless bee that is an
excellent pollinator.
if it’s been there awhile.
We know bees make honey, but sometimes we forget their most important job is pollinating food crops, like almonds, avocados, Brussels sprouts, onions, and much more. Researchers estimate bees help pollinate up to 1/3 of all the foods we eat, and up to 90% of wild plants.
Sadly, many species have started disappearing in recent years. Honeybees have been hit by a syndrome called “Colony Collapse Disorder,” which may result from pests, diseases, and other factors. Native wild bees are in trouble, too, but we can help by putting out boxes for nest-dwellers.
Gardening show on the radio
From Anne:
For several years I’ve enjoyed listening to an excellent gardening show
on the radio. It is a nationally syndicated show produced at the Rodale
Institute Radio Studio in Bethlehem, PA. The host is Mike McGrath who is
the former Editor-in-Chief of Organic Gardening magazine. The show is
touted as a “weekly dose of chemical-free horticultural hijinks” and is
full of valuable information on all topics related to growing
things—lawns, ornamental bushes and trees, vegetables, etc. The show
is titled “You Bet Your Garden,” and current as well as past episodes
can be viewed online at wlvt.org.
I just watched Episode 79 where the central question had to do with the
difference between tomato blight and wilt and how to prevent them. The
live show is a call-in where people can ask their own questions, ending
with a focus on the question or topic of the week. McGrath is
knowledgeable, entertaining, and informative. I have learned a ton from
tuning in.