MULCH YOUR (DROUGHT) WORRIES AWAY

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. 
The next step is to mulch, mulch, mulch.  There are so many great materials for mulching, and its not too early to get started.  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. 

Wood shavings over cardboard

Dry soil can be a weed barrier (think fallow) too 

Compost - always a good choice

Leaf mulch before planting

Straw mulch - overwinter soil protection

Cardboard keeps the weeds down

                

Leaf it to Me or Turn Don't Burn

Amy 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.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

November 22-23, Friday and Saturday 9-1 at the Siskiyou County Adult Probation Center, 805 Juvenile Lane (behind the old hospital).
December 6- 7, Friday and Saturday at the Yreka Community Gardens at the corner of Knapp and North Oregon Street.

Sponsored by the SGPGA, Shasta Valley Rotary, Siskiyou Golden Fair, Cal-Recycle and Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department.

Share Your Plenty

At 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. 
Here are the 8 locations where we take our veggies. 
Yreka Senior Center
Coordinated Services Food Bank
Yreka Resource Center
Lane Street Men's Halfway House
Siskiyou Domestic Violence and Crisis Center
St. Joseph's Saturday Meal
Greenhorn Grange Hot Meals
Madrone Hospice

PLANT YREKA

Thanks 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.

Meet and Greet

Calling 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.

Bring Us Your Leaves

Yreka 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 yrekacommunitygardens@gmail.com or call Rachel Jereb at 842-3408.

Summer Salad Recipe

Kale, Peach, Corn And Feta Salad

 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 Diner, matches kale with juicy peaches, briny feta and corn shaved right off the cob.

Makes 6 servings

1/4 cup olive oil
Juice of 1 lime
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
Dollop honey
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 small red onion, sliced into thin half-moons
1 bunch kale (red Russian is especially nice), washed and torn into small pieces
1/2 bunch cilantro, washed and coarsely chopped
2 ears corn, cut off the cob
3 peaches, cut into slim wedges
1/4 cup feta (preferably a moist, mild feta, like French or Israeli), crumbled

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.

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).

thanks to Jerry Jereb for this one.

New SGPGA Website Unveiled

The 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.
Thanks SGPGA for helping spread the word and sharing the work!
http://www.sgpga.org/

Weed, Water and Harvest

Crab Grass grows up through the cardboard
path coverings.  And watering makes it worse.
Try to keep the paths dry, watering only inside
your bed.  Deep watering can also cause seepage into the paths
which can increase weed growth.

  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.

White Top and Morning Glory near the Circle Bed.
These two weeds are noxious. They need to be pulled and
placed in the black weed cans.

Plant Sales Coming in May

Our 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!

Ode to an Earthworm

Perceived as lowly,
But actually holy,
The earthworm feeds the soil.

Humble in looks,
Often skewered on hooks,
Silently it toils.
Woven into the dirt,
Never rude nor curt,
It performs its work unseen.

Even its waste
Improves the taste
Of every pea and bean.

Ann Myers

Open 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!

Email us if you have any questions.

Yummy Winter Soup

If 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!

Thai Pumpkin Soup
2 TBL oil
1 onion chopped
1 TBL brown sugar
2-4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 small pumpkin, cooked or peeled and chopped into chunks
1 cup water or broth
1 15 oz. can coconut milk
3 TBL hot sweet chili sauce (Mae Ploy)
1 TBL lemon grass, chopped, or 1 TBL grated lemon peel
1 TBL fish sauce (I skip this and just add 1 TBL salt)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (I skipped this too)

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!

Leaves 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. 
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:

 Leaf Collection Event

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.

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.com or post  them to our Facebook page.

Tile Mosaic Workshop

Wow! 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!

Fall Clean-Up and Work Party

Our 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. 
You are invited to join your fellow gardeners for an end of the year
POTLUCK and WORK PARTY on October 29th from 10-3. 
If you can't make it on that day, please make time to do your chores before the end of this month. 
Fall is a good time to do a little reflecting on what you grew this year too. 
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? 
We will be having an all gardener meeting this winter to collect your ideas for...
2012.. Here we come! 
Ayn

Art Workshop for Kids at the Garden

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.

Two Day Workshop
October 1 10-2 – Design and create your own tile mosaic petroglyph.

October 22 10-12 – Install your petroglyph on a boulder in the Children’s Garden.

This workshop is open to kids
from 7-18 years. $10 Fee
Space is limited, so call now!
To sign-up or get more information, email us at
yrekacommunitygardens@gmail.com
or call Rachel Jereb at 842-3408.
sponsored by the Siskiyou Gardens, Parks and Greenway and
the Shasta Regional Foundation.

Summer Recipe from Perennial Plate

Check out this very simple pasta recipe for that vegetarian in your life.  http://www.theperennialplate.com/recipes/2011/08/sun-gold-tomato-pasta/

Reducing Your Water Footprint

in case you missed it......

Notes from YCG Workshop presented by Don Rolph, City of Yreka   7/12/2011

Don handed out 2 new documents to assist with the City of Yreka’s Water Efficiency Program.  One is Water Efficiency Plant Guide for Reducing Irrigation Water Use; the second is Landscaping and Irrigation Ideas.  Both will assist citizens with reducing water bills through water efficient landscaping.  For a copy of them contact the city, at 841-2386 or download them at the city’s website.  There is also a pamphlet explaining the program and giving some basic water conservation tips.  http://ci.yreka.ca.us/city/public/water-efficiency 

Don explained that the main savings in water use are to be found in your outside watering practices in our climate.  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.  All these skills and more will be discussed during a visit from Don to your home, if you live in Yreka.

 

Don also discussed several key water conservation concepts.  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.  This allows for more efficient irrigation design and watering.  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.

The City of Yreka wants to improve water use efficiency for homeowners and businesses.  Water surveys are available on a voluntary basis.  Contact Don Rolph at the city at 841-2356 to schedule one or for more information. 

The Yreka Community Gardens supports efforts to save water at our garden and yours.  Please check out these informative pamphlets and pass the word to your neighbors that saving water is one way to reduce water bills.  We hope to put on a drip irrigation design workshop in the spring 2012.

Gardening Workshops for July

Yreka Community Gardens

431 Knapp Street

All Classes Tuesdays at 6:00 PM

July 12^th ·  Water Conservation Basics · Don Rolph  City of Yreka

How to reduce your water footprint.

July 19th · Food Preservation · Susanna Black YCG Member

Learn ways to preserve and store your food after you’ve grown it.

July 26th · Increase Your Harvest · Ann Robinson Montague Farmers Market

How to maximize the production from your garden by harvesting at the right time and in the right way.  Hands-on harvesting demonstration.