Mulching Day

Those beautiful, scary, unpredicted warm weeks we've been experiencing were replaced by the normal gloomy March chill- though still milder than in past years. Yet, the sun came out to smile upon the Campus Growers mulching and weeding during this week's meeting. A booming thanks to CMLife who not only runs great articles on our efforts, but has donated old newspapers that we can use as mulch. They use soy-based inks, and the papers are safe for garden usage, so no worries as it begins to biodegrade. It'll just turn into good soil. We are, also, enormously thankful for our adviser, Patti, who donated a row of garden fabric that stretched from one end of the garden to the other. We've formed so many paths that we'll have to spend a few more meetings mulching, while numbering plots, and ever forever and always weeding as well.

We planted many rows of seeds inside for our plot renters, and in anticipation of our end-of-the-year plant sale. Included in the 5-7 weeks before planting warm weather crops outside list, we started peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, and purple basil. Soon, we'll be able to start cool weather crops outside. The excitement grows!

Sew, until next time, grow well.

Tabling in the UC

A special thank you to everyone who ran our table. Your fundraising, and signing up of interested new members and plot renters is much appreciated!

This zucchini-squash is from 2011, but I'm just so excited for things to grow again that I couldn't help putting it up. It was delicious, but the flowers were cross pollinated and would very likely grow into something too tough to eat if its seeds were used. Thus, the difficulty of open pollination, though open pollination is a great and necessary thing. Thanks to the farmers who are able to accomplish such a feat!

Marking Plots

We spent our meeting in the garden this week in the eerily beautiful weather. The days are growing longer, so we were able to spend about two hours marking 10'x10' with a path three feet wide between. Turns out some people are not made for numbers, and we ended up with thirty plots more than expected! In a way, this is a windfall because of the general growing interest in gardening, and need to provide food locally. When our original 22 plots were filled in full by both beginning and seasoned gardeners, we were ecstatic. Now, we have quite a few more, so reserve yours today!

Transplanting Johnny Jump Up Violets

It is difficult not to let these pictures mostly speak for themselves for this productive meeting, so let's do that...

 That closest tray has special antibacterial soil that allows for the greatest seed germination rate. One reason seeds may not germinate is bacteria in the soil. After the plants get their first true leaves (or, second set of leaves that come out of the ground), they must be transplanted into something larger so they can flourish.

 Sticks are used to poke a space in the soil so the roots aren't damaged as they slide below ground.

 A present and future Campus Grow Co-coordinator^^

 Careful not to plant the seeds too thick (or do!). We now have a table and some floor space full of trays of future edible flowers, yum!

Our amazing adviser, Patti, who allows us use of, and space in, the greenhouse.