Today the gardening group got a lot accomplished. Workers were everywhere, swarming over the garden. The chicken pen got cleaned, the tumbling composters filled, the keyhole garden refilled with piles and piles of weeds, grass, and debris. Soil was moved to the first keyhole garden. Buckets of black cinders were moved to the stage for more table top gardens. The first tabletop, which by the way is growing great, was weeded and tended. A gallon and a half of ag vinegar got sprayed. Lots of tall grass got hacked by hand. The gourd patch got cleaned up. Carl got the lawnmower running and mowed completely around the clubhouse, the back lawn, and garden aisle. Wheelbarrowfuls of grass got pulled and dug out of the main garden. Several garden beds got dug and raked. Trays of seedlings came out of the greenhouse and were planted into the garden. And piles of strawberry plants came out of the garden and into the greenhouse where Diane managed to get them all potted up. More seeds were planted. And more old plants removed. Missy started getting the garden plan realigned, marking rows and aisle ways. Some of the new rows got planted. And more rocks, yes more, got dug out of the garden. Sometimes I think we're growing rocks out there!
Duck update: Donna is still laying on her eggs. Daisy is laying a few eggs but is a bit of an airhead, wandering off and not giving them another thought. Dougal is marching around acting the part of Macho Man.
Chicken update: the girls are still in a heavy molt. Egg production is down to 6 a day on average. I threaten them with dire consequences, but they don't care. They are taking their time getting back into production.
Harvest today included assorted young tender greens (beet, chard, mustard), sweet potatoes, pipinola, peppers, tomatoes, basil, and oranges. And something new -- yacon. We harvested a bucketful of yacon, enough for everyone to take some home and give it a try. Last years volunteers happily claimed some, knowing that it is good for snacking, mixing raw in fruit salad, or cooked in stir fry and soup.
Our current focus and goals include:
1- getting the garden realigned
2- getting keyhole #1 ready for planting next week
3- getting keyhole #2 filled
4- making more table top gardens
5- getting an area opened up for potato planting in December
6- getting an area opened up for onions and leeks in December
7- planting things for the Fall Fling.
Lunch today included plenty of dishes based upon the garden:
Garden veggie soup
Sautéed green beans with onion and herbs
Sautéed squash with onion slivers and fresh basil
Rice and quinoa with garden herbs
Homemade macaroni and cheese
Toasted bread with hummus
Cake and cookies
Fresh sliced papaya
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