Big Spotted Cow

Oh NO!

While we were down at the fairgrounds, having one of the most wonderful Spring Shows ever, something terrible happened to that very productive stump garden we showed you last week. Look!

As I gardener myself, I know how frustrating it can be to have beautiful vegetables just about ready for harvest, only to find out that the bunnies beat you to them by one day.

This particular garden, although temporarily devastated, has plenty of time to recover. The weather has only now begun to warm up, and it could be that something as simple as a well organized tea party might divert the bunnies away from the next round of plants.

What do YOU think? How can this gardener get back in the game?

What a great weekend!

The weather may not have been what we wanted, but overall it wasn't so bad. I was able to plant my beans, another row of radishes, some beets, and a few herbs. AND I went to the Healthy Youth and Community Fair in Langley. It was so much fun! Marimba, drumming, watercolor painting, chalk art, drama, yoga, you name it. In many ways it was like a Super Saturday! Make sure you catch it next year...check out some photos in the photo album.

Another garden to inspire you...

Great news! We have had another 4-H family join our garden fun! Jackie, Elizabeth, and Marc, of Whidbey Lone Stars, have provided photos of their Food For Thought garden. They report that so far, they have tomatoes, peppers, basil, chives, parsley, sweet peas, lettuce, marigolds, spinach, pole beans, squash, onions, broccoli, sunflowers, and potatoes.

Wow!. Sounds like our potluck could be really tasty!!!!!

New stump garden sited in Oak Harbor

It's official. Another stump garden has been discovered in Oak Harbor! At least three witnesses have substantiated the siting, and one of them has provided us with a photo.

To be honest, we don't know what to make of this one. Whereas Judy's has only tiny seedlings and small starts growing around it, this one appears to have a glorious bounty of ripe vegetables springing from its base. We do have a question or two about the authenticity of this stump garden, prompted by the appearance of what seems to be plastic bags - bags that look suspiciously like they are from the grocery story. We'll keep you posted as we discover  more.

Stay tunend!

NEXT YEAR!!!!!!

I just got off the phone with George Mount in Pullman, who is the Director of the WSU Center for Environmental Research, Education and Outreach (CEREO). Turns out there is an amazing opportunity for youth that we just missed this year. But it would be great if we could start planning for next year! Take a look at this and let me know what you think!

Imagine Tomorrow

Stump gardens vs. weedy gardens

OK, a stump garden is an odd thing, and who knows how successful the experiment will be. But the reason Judy planted several of them was to see how much food she could grow in the space she has available. So everything in her small yard has become potential garden space.

Some folks have lots of room, others have just a bit in the shade or only space for some containers on the porch.

But the theory is, EVERYONE can grow something to eat.

As a side note, the person who has given Judy the most grief about her stump gardens is someone who says she has put in a vegetable garden but so far has only brought in noxious weeds for identification (smile).

Anyone else out there gardening?

Contest!

We just got this info from the Youth Commission...check it out and see if you can come up with a really creative entry! Don't pay attention to what the link is called...it's really information on a contest to get youth to design the logo for the Island County Youth Commission.

Download logo_june_correction.pdf

This needs to find a home!

Can you help me? Someone graciously dropped this cage off as a donation to the 4-H Program.

The trouble is, it takes up a lot of space in my office and it isn't being used in the way it was intended!

So if you are interested in putting this piece of equipment to use, I'd love to pass it along to you.

Maybe the real spring is here?

Today was another positively spring-like day. Cool, but not cold. Damp, but not wet. I suspect that the real spring has arrived.

This is supported by the fact my radishes, broccoli, and mesclun mix have germinated, broken ground, in the past couple of days. That means the soil temperature has risen to that where seeds grow. Woo hoo! I'm excited.

I ask you to think about what farmers must feel, as they wait for the weather (out of their control) to provide the variables needed for seed germination and plant growth. Think about the effort and resources they put into preparing the fields. Think about the investment they make into seed and fertilizer. Think about those who live in areas with spring snows, spring flooding, tornadoes, hail storms, etc. Think about these farmers who face all of these challenges as they raise families, get sick, need to repair their homes, plan to send their children to college.

I'm not talking about corporate farms, but individual farmers...what is their life like? We urge them to continue farming, say that we need the local produce they offer, plead that they maintain the tradition of farming and the protection of open space...in the light of these requests we place upon them, it is only fair that we consider the lives they must live to make it all happen.

So here are seeds of thought for you. Let me know what they grow into.

Definitely time to plant!

SATURDAY, MAY 18TH, 10AM-6PM: SUPER PLANTING SATURDAY for "PLANT A ROW FOR THE HUNGRY" at Hummingbird Farm (Ft. Nugent and Zylstra Rds.). ALL HARVESTS BENEFIT ISLAND FOOD BANKS. Plan to spend 1-2 hours at the farm. Learn to "Square Foot Plant," small space, huge harvest. Master Gardener Mentors/Volunteers needed for this YOUTH SPONSORED community garden. All are invited to please "Adopt a Row" for our neighbors in need. Pack a picnic lunch and bring your youth groups, service clubs, and families. Contact: lori@hummingbirdfarmnursery.com, 360-679-5044.