tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55579109738686766802024-03-08T10:45:38.081-08:00Yreka Community GardensWelcome to our Blog for the Yreka Community Gardens. If you would like to garden with us we would love to have you. We need volunteers and gardeners to help us grow more groceries. Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-59208847961924523562014-03-21T22:00:00.000-07:002014-03-21T22:00:00.870-07:00MULCH YOUR (DROUGHT) WORRIES AWAY<span style="color: #351c75;">This growing season, 2014 is shaping up to be very challenging in several ways. The long dry and cold winter has left many of our perennial trees and shrubs in a delicate state. The fact that we are going into a very long and dry summer only underscores the need for extra plant care this spring. Deep watering will bring the majority of plants back to life, since we did not get that type of rainfall. Deep watering also trains the roots to go deeper into the soil which is good in a drought too. </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">The next step is to<strong> mulch, mulch, mulch</strong>. </span><span style="color: #351c75;">There are so many great materials for mulching, and its not too early to get started. </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Straw, wood shavings, leaves, cardboard, newspaper, compost, even pine needles in some cases can all be used for mulch. Placing a thick layer of mulch around all perennials, between garden beds and anywhere you don't want weeds is a simple process. Mulch will protect plants from drying out, heat fluxuations and the cold nights we still have in store. And of course it saves water by reducing evaporation from the soil surface, leaving more moisture for the plants and soil life forms. If you have questions or want to see some of these mulch types stop by our garden and see how we do it.</span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="sk-O-x" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rNkAksDXX5I/Uy0OR6cCXlI/AAAAAAAABdE/xIRE5rB3e0g/h120/IMG_1280%2B%2528800x571%2529.jpg" style="height: 120px; left: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; top: 0px; transform: rotate(0deg); width: 169px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood shavings over cardboard </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="sk-O-x" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--_Dh-Vavxg0/Uy0Qxl2nWmI/AAAAAAAABdY/sVuC6REv6i8/h120/IMG_1284+%28800x582%29.jpg" style="height: 120px; left: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; top: 0px; width: 165px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry soil can be a weed barrier (think fallow) too </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="sk-O-x" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2uBTthO5t4g/Uy0REwbgyxI/AAAAAAAABdg/d7ZPSEnI9zc/h120/IMG_1285+%28800x568%29.jpg" style="height: 120px; left: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; top: 0px; width: 170px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Compost - always a good choice</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="sk-O-x" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BoCExYP0j4Q/Uy0QHSB0srI/AAAAAAAABdI/YozswEZVSvU/h120/IMG_1281+%28800x559%29.jpg" style="height: 120px; left: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; top: 0px; width: 172px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaf mulch before planting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="sk-O-x" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VJxZ5WZizFA/Uy0QZcniaZI/AAAAAAAABdQ/cwnkO7A4J9s/h120/IMG_1282+%28800x600%29.jpg" style="height: 120px; left: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; top: 0px; width: 160px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straw mulch - overwinter soil protection</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="sk-O-x" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-renz6zQzvdI/Uy0RWy6QiBI/AAAAAAAABdo/7xugVDarnHs/h120/IMG_1283+%28800x600%29.jpg" style="height: 120px; left: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; top: 0px; width: 160px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cardboard keeps the weeds down<br />
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<br />Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-62880054018552590922013-11-19T16:20:00.001-08:002013-11-19T18:21:20.917-08:00Leaf it to Me or Turn Don't BurnAmy Tamm is showing the way with her personal leave collection efforts. She has been helping her neighbors by taking their fall leaves and using them make compost in her garden for 3 years.<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jfc9n31pnZY/Uov9KE_UcoI/AAAAAAAABbg/DFfzwlpXDwI/s1600/IMG_1225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jfc9n31pnZY/Uov9KE_UcoI/AAAAAAAABbg/DFfzwlpXDwI/s320/IMG_1225.JPG" width="301" /></a>
<o:p>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p></span>Air quality and soil health can be vastly improved by proper utilization of our existing green matter. Burning leaves contributes to poor air quality and wastes a valuable resource.<br />
<br />
Sponsored by the Siskiyou Gardens, Parks and Greenway Association (SGPGA), this is the 3rd year of our leaf collection effort. We are expanding this year to several sites in an attempt to share the green gold and spread the benefits to several locations.<br />
<br />
Leaf collection is a high priority and relatively easy to implement for our community. It is a part of a local solution to a larger regional solid waste effort. Siskiyou County can be a leader in local reduction of our waste stream, which at this time is all hauled out of the county. Being more self contained and independent is all part of living in the State of Jefferson. Any green waste or leaves that are mixed with garbage goes into the waste stream is contaminated and cannot be used for composting.<br />
<br />
If you don’t want to compost your leaves, please consider bringing your clean leaves to one of the leaf collection events. Leaves on the sidewalks should be bagged and not blown into the street. Leaves left in gutters can clog the storm drains and cause flooding. We are working with the City of Yreka to lessen the impacts to our lovely town by educating citizens to the best way to dispose of leaves.<br />
<br />
Leaves can be dropped off this month at several locations. Please be respectful of public property and do not leave anything at these sites except during the leaf collection event. Problems with garbage and mixed loads will cause these sites to close. Every load and bag will be inspected to insure that compost can be made from these leaves. There is no charge for this community service.<br />
<br />
November 22-23, Friday and Saturday 9-1 at the Siskiyou County Adult Probation Center, 805 Juvenile Lane (behind the old hospital).<br />
December 6- 7, Friday and Saturday at the Yreka Community Gardens at the corner of Knapp and North Oregon Street.<br />
<br />
Sponsored by the SGPGA, Shasta Valley Rotary, Siskiyou Golden Fair, Cal-Recycle and Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department.<br />
<br />Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-65569466321234048742013-07-15T08:46:00.001-07:002013-07-15T08:46:38.300-07:00Share Your PlentyAt the garden, we make a big deal about harvesting for the community. We ask each gardener to share 10% of their bounty with others. We harvest each week during the season and we hope you will too. <br />
Here are the 8 locations where we take our veggies. <br />
Yreka Senior Center<br />
Coordinated Services Food Bank<br />
Yreka Resource Center<br />
Lane Street Men's Halfway House<br />
Siskiyou Domestic Violence and Crisis Center<br />
St. Joseph's Saturday Meal<br />
Greenhorn Grange Hot Meals<br />
Madrone Hospice Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-21014775392086098292013-05-06T07:08:00.000-07:002013-05-06T07:17:32.829-07:00PLANT YREKAThanks to everyone who supports our garden. We especially say thank you at this time of year to those who purchase flower and vegetable plant starts at our sales. We will be open for business the next 3 Saturdays at the greenhouse. Hours are 9-1, Location is behind the YHS big gym near the corner of Knapp and North Oregon. Our theme this year is PLANT YREKA. These sales are a cooperative effort of the Yreka Community Gardens and the Yreka Garden Club.<br />
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Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-86864084270598049852013-01-30T19:01:00.001-08:002013-01-30T19:01:17.144-08:00Meet and GreetCalling all gardeners. We will be hosting an informational open house at Shoppe Serendipity, 213 S. Broadway on February 15th from 4:30 to 7pm. Come by and see what we are all about, sign up for a plot or to volunteer at our garden. For more information call Rachel at 941-1502.Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-14206311912124776302012-11-09T10:28:00.002-08:002012-11-09T10:28:42.338-08:00Bring Us Your LeavesYreka Community Gardens, on Knapp Street next to the high school gym, will be collecting leaves for its 2nd annual leaf collection drive. This event aims to reduce leaf burning and offers an alternative to taking leaves to the transfer station. The garden will be composting all donated leaves for use on-site. This year we will be collecting leaves from 11-2 on November 10th and 17th, plus a date in December to be decided. Clean loads only please. No walnut leaves, pine needles, brush, garbage or other yard debris will be accepted. All donations will be inspected and any mixed bags or loads will be turned away. Email any questions or comments to <a href="mailto:yrekacommunitygardens@gmail.com">yrekacommunitygardens@gmail.com</a> or call Rachel Jereb at 842-3408.Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-2509470930978707802012-08-11T21:05:00.000-07:002012-08-11T21:05:43.432-07:00Summer Salad Recipe<b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Kale, Peach, Corn And Feta Salad</span></b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">While lettuce-based salads turn sadder and soggier the longer they sit in dressing, the sturdier leaves of kale just get nicer. This particular combination, inspired by a salad served at Brooklyn's </span></i><a href="http://dinernyc.com/food/"><i><span style="color: #1f4cc6; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Diner</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">, matches kale with juicy peaches, briny feta and corn shaved right off the cob.</span></i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 17pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Makes 6 servings</span></i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1/4 cup olive oil<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Juice of 1 lime<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2 tablespoons sherry vinegar<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Dollop honey<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Salt and pepper to taste<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1/2 small red onion, sliced into thin half-moons<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1 bunch kale (red Russian is especially nice), washed and torn into small pieces<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1/2 bunch cilantro, washed and coarsely chopped<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2 ears corn, cut off the cob<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3 peaches, cut into slim wedges<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1/4 cup feta (preferably a moist, mild feta, like French or Israeli), crumbled<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 17pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, sherry vinegar and honey. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the onion, and let sit for a few minutes to mellow.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Add the kale and cilantro, and mix well to coat with the dressing. I like to sandwich two aluminum bowls together and shake, shake, shake until it's coated. Let sit for an hour, refrigerated or at room temperature, for the kale to absorb the dressing and soften. Scatter the corn, peaches and feta over the top and serve (or pack in containers for your picnic).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">thanks to Jerry Jereb for this one.</span>Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-15798078132907496672012-08-06T15:34:00.000-07:002012-08-06T15:34:17.150-07:00New SGPGA Website UnveiledThe Siskiyou Gardens, Parks and Greenway Association (SGPGA) has unveiled its new website. Highlighting projects completed by all of its "parts"; the website has a section devoted to the Yreka Community Gardens and one highlighing the Childrens' Garden, as well as the Native Plant Nursery and Arboretum, The Yreka Creek Greenway and Greenhorn Park. Check it out online and on Facebook to see what we are doing.<br />
Thanks SGPGA for helping spread the word and sharing the work! <br />
<a href="http://www.sgpga.org/">http://www.sgpga.org/</a>Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-80947290968086638742012-07-04T19:31:00.000-07:002012-07-04T19:31:54.341-07:00Weed, Water and Harvest<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LVnfYTz7khc/T_T5iDozoOI/AAAAAAAABAk/K8E-uNlmfQU/s1600/IMG_0924+%2528600x800%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LVnfYTz7khc/T_T5iDozoOI/AAAAAAAABAk/K8E-uNlmfQU/s320/IMG_0924+%2528600x800%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab Grass grows up through the cardboard<br />
path coverings. And watering makes it worse.<br />
Try to keep the paths dry, watering only inside<br />
your bed. Deep watering can also cause seepage into the paths<br />
which can increase weed growth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Its time to start our summer harvesting. Zuccini, greens, onions, garlic and other early summer crops are ripe. Harvesting at the right time can make a big difference. Waiting to harvest can sometimes make the produce less nutritious, and often keeps the plant from maximum production. Adjusting harvesting can improve the total harvest amount. In short, your garden plot will not wait for you. So weed, water and enjoy.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oei3v4MNHDs/T_T5o7LqugI/AAAAAAAABAs/-EKJO2I_elg/s1600/IMG_0926+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oei3v4MNHDs/T_T5o7LqugI/AAAAAAAABAs/-EKJO2I_elg/s320/IMG_0926+(800x600).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Top and Morning Glory near the Circle Bed. <br />
These two weeds are noxious. They need to be pulled and<br />
placed in the black weed cans.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-92176528882989673572012-04-30T22:40:00.000-07:002012-04-30T22:40:57.852-07:00Plant Sales Coming in MayOur plant start sales are scheduled. Jointly with the Yreka Garden Club we will be selling good looking veggie and flower starts on the next 3 Saturdays: May 5, 12 and 19. Check the calendar for exact times for each date. Come out and support your community. And thanks for spreading the word!Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-59913866038604786262012-03-17T22:43:00.000-07:002012-03-17T22:43:01.981-07:00Ode to an Earthworm<strong>Perceived as lowly,<br />
But actually holy,<br />
The earthworm feeds the soil.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Humble in looks,<br />
Often skewered on hooks,<br />
Silently it toils.</strong><br />
<strong>Woven into the dirt,<br />
Never rude nor curt,<br />
It performs its work unseen.</strong><br />
<strong> </strong><br />
<strong>Even its waste<br />
Improves the taste<br />
Of every pea and bean.</strong><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Ann Myers</div>Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-45550185388162325422012-01-12T15:41:00.000-08:002012-01-12T15:41:48.684-08:00Open House!The garden is going to hold an open house at the Purple Plum on January 24th. We will be serving appetizers and desserts from 4pm-7pm. Come to meet your fellow gardeners and let us know what you liked and didn't like about the previous year. We'll also be giving away free seeds to get you started this spring. All are welcome!<br />
<br />
Email us if you have any questions.Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-74181591709622953712011-12-03T18:12:00.000-08:002011-12-03T18:12:07.127-08:00Yummy Winter SoupIf you stopped by our booth at the Yreka Chamber of Commerce' Night of Lights, you might have tried our yummy soup. Here is the recipe. Thanks Kate!<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Thai Pumpkin Soup</span></strong><br />
2 TBL oil<br />
1 onion chopped<br />
1 TBL brown sugar<br />
2-4 cloves garlic, crushed<br />
1 small pumpkin, cooked or peeled and chopped into chunks<br />
1 cup water or broth<br />
1 15 oz. can coconut milk<br />
3 TBL hot sweet chili sauce (Mae Ploy)<br />
1 TBL lemon grass, chopped, or 1 TBL grated lemon peel<br />
1 TBL fish sauce (I skip this and just add 1 TBL salt)<br />
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (I skipped this too)<br />
<br />
Cook the onion with the oil, brown sugar and garlic until soft. Add the pumpkin, water, coconut milk, chili sauce, lemon and fish sauce (if using). Simmer for about 25 minutes. Remove and puree in a blender until smooth. Yum!Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-3843626721135839522011-11-17T11:58:00.000-08:002011-11-17T11:58:26.300-08:00Leaves Make Great Compost!Fall is a good time to take stock of compost materials for next year's garden. Leaves from deciduous trees are a great addition to any compost pile, providing the 'brown' or carbon portion needed to break down and stabilize the 'green' or nitrogen portion. <br />
It can also be problematic for some to dispose conscientiously of excess fall leaves. So... our garden is going to help you out. Please see below:<br />
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> Leaf Collection Event<br />
<br />
Yreka Community Gardens, on Knapp Street next to the high school gym, will be holding a one-day only leaf collection event on Saturday, November 19th from 10am-1pm. This event aims to reduce leaf burning and offers an alternative to taking leaves to the transfer station. The garden will be composting all donated leaves for use on-site. <br />
<br />
<span>Clean loads only please. No walnut leaves, pine needles, brush, garbage or other yard debris will be accepted. All donations will be inspected and any mixed bags or loads will be turned away. Email any questions or comments to yrekacommunitygardens@gmail.co</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span>m or post them to our Facebook page.</span></h6>Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-29329350237043086942011-10-23T18:28:00.000-07:002011-10-23T18:28:02.885-07:00Tile Mosaic WorkshopWow! That was a great workshop! We had two days of fun for the kids who attended the workshop. Check out the photos on the right, and stop by the garden to see what wonderful things the kids came up with. Keep in mind that kids as young as SIX YEARS OLD were producing this great looking art. Enjoy!Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-88720236034665826462011-10-05T18:42:00.000-07:002011-10-05T18:42:18.702-07:00Fall Clean-Up and Work PartyOur garden needs some fall clean-up and wrap up for winter. If you are going to garden this winter, that's great too. Either way, we need all gardeners to clean up their plots, compost and weed them and generally help tie down everything before the winds and snow come. <br />
You are invited to join your fellow gardeners for an end of the year <br />
POTLUCK and WORK PARTY on October 29th from 10-3. <br />
If you can't make it on that day, please make time to do your chores before the end of this month. <br />
Fall is a good time to do a little reflecting on what you grew this year too. <br />
Did you like your tomatoes? Did you try that unusual cucumber variety your neighbor had? What would you like more of, less of, none of, for next year? (Even a few notes might be a good idea.) I know I was disgusted with the mini-peppers we grew this year because the effort did not seem to match the result. Did you like being part of the anarchy garden group? Did you wish you had helped harvest for the food bank? What would you change? <br />
We will be having an all gardener meeting this winter to collect your ideas for...<br />
2012.. Here we come! <br />
AynYreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-63696350016699307292011-09-21T19:36:00.000-07:002011-09-21T19:36:37.429-07:00Art Workshop for Kids at the Garden<span style="font-family: Chalkduster; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Chalkduster; font-size: x-large;"></span></span>Be a part of history! Learn about petroglyphs and create your own with tile. Workshop taught by local tile mosaic artist, Monica Zinda of Moonshine Mosaics.<br />
<br />
<strong>Two Day Workshop<br />
</strong>October 1 10-2 – Design and create your own tile mosaic petroglyph. <br />
<br />
October 22 10-12 – Install your petroglyph on a boulder in the Children’s Garden.<br />
<br />
This workshop is open to kids <br />
from 7-18 years. $10 Fee<br />
Space is limited, so call now!<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJLrCngHBYw/TnqZr20ZXwI/AAAAAAAAAYU/gvV9_TPh8oQ/s1600/TileMosaicFlyer.bmp">To sign-up or get more information, email us at<br />
yrekacommunitygardens@gmail.com</a><br />
or call Rachel Jereb at 842-3408.<br />
sponsored by the Siskiyou Gardens, Parks and Greenway and<br />
the Shasta Regional Foundation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJLrCngHBYw/TnqZr20ZXwI/AAAAAAAAAYU/gvV9_TPh8oQ/s1600/TileMosaicFlyer.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="315" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJLrCngHBYw/TnqZr20ZXwI/AAAAAAAAAYU/gvV9_TPh8oQ/s320/TileMosaicFlyer.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-54689011486699798982011-08-18T23:19:00.000-07:002011-08-18T23:19:12.892-07:00Summer Recipe from Perennial PlateCheck out this very simple pasta recipe for that vegetarian in your life. <a href="http://www.theperennialplate.com/recipes/2011/08/sun-gold-tomato-pasta/">http://www.theperennialplate.com/recipes/2011/08/sun-gold-tomato-pasta/</a>Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-28129101820740255122011-07-28T18:25:00.000-07:002011-07-28T18:26:49.205-07:00Reducing Your Water Footprint<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">in case you missed it......</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Notes from YCG Workshop presented by Don Rolph, City of Yreka<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7/12/2011</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Don handed out 2 new documents to assist with the City of Yreka’s Water Efficiency Program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Water Efficiency Plant Guide for Reducing Irrigation Water Use</i>; the second is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Landscaping and Irrigation Ideas</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both will assist citizens with reducing water bills through water efficient landscaping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a copy of them contact the city, at 841-2386 or download them at the city’s website.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also a pamphlet explaining the program and giving some basic water conservation tips. </span><u><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://ci.yreka.ca.us/city/public/water-efficiency">http://ci.yreka.ca.us/city/public/water-efficiency</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></u></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Don explained that the main savings in water use are to be found in your outside watering practices in our climate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don discussed some basic skills such as learning how to read your flow meter, how to fix simple hose and pipe leaks, and measuring your water pressure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All these skills and more will be discussed during a visit from Don to your home, if you live in Yreka.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u><span style="color: #0070c0;"></span></u></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Don also discussed several key water conservation concepts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the most effective water conservation is plant by “hydro zones” or areas of your landscaping or garden that have the same water needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This allows for more efficient irrigation design and watering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other steps that will reduce your water bill are to reduce the area of lawn that you water, and to switch to drip or rotary sprinklers.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The City of Yreka wants to improve water use efficiency for homeowners and businesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water surveys are available on a voluntary basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contact Don Rolph at the city at 841-2356 to schedule one or for more information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The Yreka Community Gardens supports efforts to save water at our garden and yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please check out these informative pamphlets and pass the word to your neighbors that saving water is one way to reduce water bills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope to put on a drip irrigation design workshop in the spring 2012.</span></div>Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-26051944648756379702011-07-12T09:14:00.001-07:002011-07-12T09:19:38.213-07:00Gardening Workshops for July<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><shapetype adj="12000" coordsize="21600,21600" id="_x0000_t172" o:spt="172" path="m0@0l21600,m,21600l21600@1e"><formulas><f eqn="val #0"></f><f eqn="sum 21600 0 @0"></f><f eqn="prod #0 1 2"></f><f eqn="sum @2 10800 0"></f><f eqn="prod @1 1 2"></f><f eqn="sum @4 10800 0"></f></formulas><path o:connectangles="270,180,90,0" o:connectlocs="10800,@2;0,@3;10800,@5;21600,@4" o:connecttype="custom" textpathok="t"></path><textpath fitshape="t" on="t"></textpath><handles><h position="topLeft,#0" yrange="0,15429"></h></handles><lock shapetype="t" text="t" v:ext="edit"></lock></shapetype><shape fillcolor="red" id="_x0000_s1029" style="height: 81pt; left: 0px; margin-left: -4.95pt; margin-top: -26.8pt; position: absolute; text-align: left; width: 82pt; z-index: 251659264;" type="#_x0000_t172"><shadow color="#868686"></shadow><textpath fitpath="t" string="FREE" style="font-family: "Britannic Bold"; v-text-kern: t;" trim="t"></textpath></shape><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" id="_x0000_t202" o:spt="202" path="m,l,21600r21600,l21600,xe"><stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"></path></shapetype><shape filled="f" id="_x0000_s1027" stroked="f" style="height: 140.3pt; left: 0px; margin-left: 589.05pt; margin-top: 54.2pt; position: absolute; text-align: left; width: 134.95pt; z-index: 251657216;" type="#_x0000_t202"><textbox style="mso-next-textbox: #_x0000_s1027;"></textbox></shape><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 48pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yreka Community Gardens</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">431 Knapp Street</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">All Classes <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tuesdays</b> at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6:00 PM</b> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #0f243e;"></span><shape filled="f" id="_x0000_s1028" stroked="f" style="height: 132.25pt; margin-left: 598.05pt; margin-top: 8.9pt; position: absolute; width: 125.85pt; z-index: 251658240;" type="#_x0000_t202"></shape><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">July 12<sup>th</sup> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 20pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">·</span></span></b><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Water Conservation Basics</b> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 20pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">·</span></span></b><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">Don Rolph<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">City of Yreka</span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 27pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 27pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">How to reduce your water footprint. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">July 19th</span></b><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 20pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">·</span></span></b><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Food Preservation</b> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 20pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">·</span></span></b><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"> Susanna Black</span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"> YCG Member</span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 27pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 27pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">Learn ways to preserve and store your food after you’ve grown it. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">July 26th </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 20pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">·</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"> Increase Your Harvest</span></b><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 20pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">·</span></span></b><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"> Ann Robinson </span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">Montague Farmers Market</span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 4.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 4.5pt;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">How to maximize the production from your garden by harvesting at the right time and in the right way. Hands-on harvesting demonstration.</span><span style="color: #0f243e;"></span></div><div align="center"></div>Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-5167819726718067892011-06-14T22:13:00.000-07:002011-06-26T23:43:22.097-07:00Bonus Garden Planted and other news!Bonus Garden, you say? What's that? The Bonus Garden is what has kept Ayn and I (and others, thank you!) busy for the past month or so. Hence the lack of posts (but beware, this one is a long one!). If you follow the pathway to the left of the big greenhouse you will see a large cleared area with a lettuce patch right up at the front. That is the bonus garden!<br />
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Last year the bonus garden (aka auxiliary garden) was a place to grow left-over plants from our plant sales. We ended up a whole lot of tomatoes and a little bit of everything else. This year we tripled the size of the garden (Thanks Peter and Cade!) and we tried to plant at least one of everything. Since we had a bunch of tomatillos left, we planted a bunch of those, too! To date we have the following planted: lettuce, garlic, beans (for dry beans in the fall), cucumbers, melons, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, winter squash, summer squash, tomatillos, and three batches of corn.<br />
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At this point you are probably wondering why on earth we have such a huge garden with so many plants. Lots of reasons!<br />
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Primarily, the produce from the bonus garden will be harvested and donated to various free meal programs and the food pantry here in town. Unfortunately fresh produce is not something that is consistently and readily available to everyone in our community so it is really appreciated when it gets donated.<br />
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We also planted the bonus garden with you in mind! If you are a plot holder with us, you are welcome to harvest from the bonus garden. Last year we sent out emails when a particular item was ready for harvesting and that seemed to work well. We'll probably do that again but we might have some restrictions on which days produce may be harvested. That way on donation days we have enough ripe/ready produce to harvest. As stuff starts ripening we'll come up with a game plan and let you know what to do. Right now the lettuce is ready to go! Try harvesting from the thickest patches first, please.<br />
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Lastly, the bonus garden is used as a trials garden. We want to know what works well with our climate. Obviously having such a short warm season, we can't grow everything we want to. This year we are experimenting with luffa, which is a 100 day crop. If we actually manage to get anything out of it we'll be giving them away during the Yreka Night of Lights! Keep your fingers crossed for us, please.<br />
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In addition to figuring out what grows well here, we want to know what is good to eat. We get a lot of donated seed from various companies and individuals and sometimes there is a good reason they are giving it away. It is our job to figure out what we like and don't like. For example, I think it is safe to say we will NEVER grow Green Sausage Tomatoes ever again. Yuck! However, we did find that Chocolate Cherry and Black Sea Man Tomatoes are absolutely delicious. We grew and sold more of them this year for our plant sales. Apparently our customers agreed because they sold out really quickly!<br />
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Companion planting is something else we are trying out this year. Ayn has a little "three sisters" circle in the very back of the garden. Do a search for it online if you are interested in learning more about "three sisters."<br />
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Finally, we like to experiment with different irrigation methods. Last year we did a lot of furrow irrigation. This year our big thing is soaker hoses. Potable water is a precious resource, so using less of it is something we strive for. Hopefully the soaker hoses will help us out with that.<br />
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If your are interested in helping with harvesting, donations, or maintaining the bonus garden, please let us know. It is a lot of work and we would <i>love</i> to have your help. If you have a plot with us at the garden, one of the easiest things to do is harvest your excess produce, clean it and put it in the donation coolers on donation day. We'll keep you posted on which days are donation days.<br />
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Don't forget what else is behind the greenhouse! This year we have a wonderful butterfly garden (horseshoe shaped garden), which will be getting benches and shade trellises for your relaxing pleasure. The teepee will soon be planted with green beans, and the sunflower house will be grown in with the willows this year. The resource center kids will be planting it tomorrow, and word on the street is that it might be a maze instead of a house this year.<br />
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New in the back this year is an area for people who want to plant crops that might not fit in their regular garden bed; like cucumbers, melons, and squash. It is the "finger" of the bonus garden, near the rocks and blackberries. If you have a plot at the community garden, then you are eligible to claim a square. Just like your regular bed, you will be responsible for planting, watering, harvesting and otherwise maintaining it. There are six squares marked by bamboo corners with a pathway down the middle. Once you have planted your square, please take a stake (ask me if you can't find one), and write your name on it so we know who had "homesteaded" each square. There is a large permanent marker in the big greenhouse, or get creative and come up with something fun! The spaces are free this year and are available on a first-come basis, but there is a <i>very</i> limited number available. We might be able to squeeze in a few more squares if the original six get filled, so email me at yrekacommunitygardens@gmail.com if you want one but they are all taken.<br />
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Back up at the front of the garden, Ayn will be planting a perennial herb bed along the fence by Newton Park. If you have a perennial herb you'd like to donate to the cause, please let her know by emailing her at yrekacommunitygardens@gmail.com.<br />
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The circle garden, in the middle of the plots, has been adopted by the Methodist Church! They have made a lot of changes because they want it for flower production. Once stuff starts blooming, they will be harvest flowers to use during their services. However, there are still lots of strawberries up for grabs. If you see a ripe one, pick it and eat it before the birds and bugs beat you to it!<br />
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Speaking of strawberries, the strawberries along the fence by the parking lot are also free for the picking. Help yourself, and help your kids help themselves too!<br />
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Also new this year, the Yreka Garden Club has planted a little demonstration garden in front of the mural. If you run into Peggy or Mary Jo at the garden, have them tell you what all they planted.<br />
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To end my rather lengthy post, remember that we are a community garden. But within our community, we are individuals. Individuals who all garden a little bit (or a lot) differently than each other. If you are new (or even a seasoned regular) to gardening, you might have had a lot of different people giving you advice, trying to help you out. It is okay to politely smile and nod and then completely disregard what they told you. It is your plot, garden the way YOU want to. Specifically, water when you think your plants need water. Just because someone told you that watering your plot every single day, or only once a week, is the best way doesn't mean you have to listen to them. The other thing I've heard is being told is that tall crops, like sunflowers or corn, aren't allowed in your bed. Not true! You can have whatever tall crops you want... <b>as long as they aren't shading your neighbor's plot.</b> The caveat to this is that you do have to listen to your garden mentor (Rachel, Ayn, or Molly). If one of us tell you to weed, water, or get rid of a certain plant you actually do have to listen. Smiling, nodding and disregarding just won't work with us. :)<br />
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Have a great season, it looks like it will be a great one!<br />
<br />
-RachelYreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-24724104650035978262011-04-26T22:55:00.000-07:002011-04-27T17:59:50.398-07:00Obnoxious or Noxious?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PpWtCmL6A6s/TbepdSnEkrI/AAAAAAAAAXU/W5F2ARg9qwM/s1600/IMG_0516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PpWtCmL6A6s/TbepdSnEkrI/AAAAAAAAAXU/W5F2ARg9qwM/s320/IMG_0516.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White top is a noxious spreading weed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The garden is sprouting lots of weeds, noxious, obnoxious and some only mildly annoying. Do you know the difference? Here are a few pictures to help you identify the noxious, sometimes called invasive ones.<br />
Knowing your weeds helps all of us. Please dispose of weeds properly to reduce labor, improve composting and keep the garden weeds under control. In an organic garden weed control is everyone's job.<br />
These noxious weeds need to be dug up and put in the big blue barrel to be taken out of our garden. Obnoxious and annoying weeds, if not going to seed, can be put directly in the compost pile. For more information on identification of our gardens' weeds contact a garden mentor, the Siskiyou County Agricultural Department or look online at their plant ID website. <a href="http://www.cal-ipc.org/WMAs/Siskiyou_WMA.php">http://www.cal-ipc.org/WMAs/Siskiyou_WMA.php</a><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1y0_IO7rL4s/Tbepij4oLZI/AAAAAAAAAXY/VlPEIA0zxWg/s1600/IMG_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1y0_IO7rL4s/Tbepij4oLZI/AAAAAAAAAXY/VlPEIA0zxWg/s320/IMG_0515.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bermuda or crab grass was found in the finished compost <br />
pile and was ready to find its way into someone plot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hVWUUEvSj04/TbeplTwVRjI/AAAAAAAAAXc/8xtZf9_OpUU/s1600/IMG_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hVWUUEvSj04/TbeplTwVRjI/AAAAAAAAAXc/8xtZf9_OpUU/s320/IMG_0519.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alfalfa is found throughout our garden. It is not a problem weed, <br />
in fact it is a soil building legume.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wx_CKAB4N7w/TbepqgT739I/AAAAAAAAAXg/a8870eWA5Ao/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wx_CKAB4N7w/TbepqgT739I/AAAAAAAAAXg/a8870eWA5Ao/s320/IMG_0521.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dandy lions may be obnoxious in your lawn, but in our garden they<br />
are not noxious. </td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJ-mBBBvCsA/Tbepvtfl9HI/AAAAAAAAAXk/vw-Iwi8K2UU/s1600/IMG_0524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJ-mBBBvCsA/Tbepvtfl9HI/AAAAAAAAAXk/vw-Iwi8K2UU/s320/IMG_0524.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marlahan Mustard is an invasive noxious weed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
Later in the year, we will see puncture vine<br />
and star thistle becoming more prevalent. But for now, we have our hands full staying on top of these difficult invasive species. Also remember not to water anywhere besides your vegetable bed. Additional water only encourages the weeds.Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-64660521385541405842011-04-23T11:34:00.000-07:002011-04-23T11:34:33.740-07:00Transplanting Party!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The YCG needs some help to get the transplanting of seedlings done!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Can you help?<br />
Monday 5:30-7:00pm<br />
and if needed, Tuesday 5:30-? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Come to the greenhouse either day and any time you can get there after 5:30.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is amazing what you can get accomplished in an hour! Never transplanted? No problem!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There will be hot tea and snacks for transplanting energy.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hope to see you there.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jane</span></span>Yreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-17153119728901654232011-04-17T17:16:00.000-07:002011-04-17T17:16:22.854-07:00Colorful Easter Eggs... naturally!In my last post I talked about how compost is good for children as well as your garden. Well, we're going to add another thing to the list. You can dye your Easter eggs with your compost. What!? Why yes, it is true. Long before the days of dye tablets fizzing away in little cups (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_egg">2,500 years ago!</a>), people were still able to dye their eggs. Now, I said you can dye your eggs with your compost, but to be more accurate I'll clarify that statement. You can dye your eggs with stuff that you put in your compost. Really, this isn't something that should be too surprising to any of us. Especially those of us who drink coffee and tea. I don't know about you, but when I go to the dentist they spend most of their time trying to get stains off my teeth, especially the tea stains. So if they stain my teeth so easily, why not dye eggs with them?<br />
<br />
But who wants brown Easter eggs? Well, let's think about other things you put in the compost. How about carrot tops? They will make gold colored eggs. If you want to jump over to the realm of spices, turmeric will also give you a gold egg, but a much more vivid color. Onion skins tightly wrapped around an egg will give your egg a marbleized look. Beet root and beet tops will give you two different colors. Berries will give you a pretty reliable facsimile of their original color, as does spinach. The list goes on and on. If this is something you'd like to try this year, check out these websites.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/2731/dye-easter-eggs-in-natures-hues">http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/2731/dye-easter-eggs-in-natures-hues</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.drmomma.org/2011/04/natural-easter-egg-dye.html">http://www.drmomma.org/2011/04/natural-easter-egg-dye.html</a><br />
<br />
Have a wonderful Easter!<br />
<br />
Rachel JerebYreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557910973868676680.post-75232155702592418402011-04-12T23:50:00.000-07:002011-04-12T23:50:47.749-07:00Compost is good for more than just your plants!Did you know that compost can make kids healthy and happy too? Fellow community gardener Holly Baun and I found that out the hard way... or should I say the dirty way? While we were puttering away in the butterfly garden (horseshoe shaped garden behind the greenhouse) a week or so ago, our kids were having a grand old time playing king of the hill on the compost.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BHsomXwcGB8/TaVGgLQ2X9I/AAAAAAAAAWw/VfzCSIIDWzg/s1600/Image0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BHsomXwcGB8/TaVGgLQ2X9I/AAAAAAAAAWw/VfzCSIIDWzg/s320/Image0077.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Puddles were a favorite of the younger set.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8rRRHijWyVY/TaVGU5y88lI/AAAAAAAAAWs/hnfBi06awVg/s1600/Image0074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8rRRHijWyVY/TaVGU5y88lI/AAAAAAAAAWs/hnfBi06awVg/s320/Image0074.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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So remember that our garden is a family garden. We welcome and encourage you to bring your children or grandchildren with you. Let them explore and find new purposes for common, everyday things like compost and mud.<br />
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Spring break is coming up next week. It is also the national Screen-Free Week. Groups, organizations, and families across the country will be turning off everything in their home that has a screen. No computers, video games, or television! Our local Family Resource Center is going to be working with children in the garden on Tuesday, April 19th from 10-12 as part of this national event. Try your luck at going "screen-free" that week, too. Remember how much fun unplugging from our digital lives really is. Encourage your families to do the same. But be sure to be thankful when they chose the compost to play in, instead of the alpaca poop!<br />
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For more information about Screen-Free week, please visit <a href="http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/screenfreeweek/index.html">http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/screenfreeweek/index.html</a><br />
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Have a great spring break!<br />
Rachel JerebYreka Community Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01051257725413280972noreply@blogger.com0