AHWATUKEE COMMUNITY GARDEN
  • ACG Home
  • Map
  • Garden Updates
  • Contact
  • Weekend Workshops Schedule 2023
  • Garden Newsletter
  • Volunteer
  • What are we growing?
  • DONATIONS

September 08th, 2023

9/8/2023

Comments

 
Hey Green Thumb Enthusiasts ,
A warm shout-out to our dedicated skeleton crew for their efforts last Sunday, which bore fruit as we expertly thinned out the broccolini in our beloved keyhole garden. We didn't merely discard these little champions; instead, we rehomed them in pots to nurture their continued growth. Their resilience reflects the essence of our gardening journey.
Special kudos to Brian , who has masterfully laid the groundwork for our forthcoming waterfall garden this week, much like a garden gnome coming to life in the shadows of the night. The bricks of layer one stand ready, a testament to his dedication. We're grateful for his craftsmanship.
A hearty round of applause for John , our steadfast sentinel of hydration and the guardian of garden cleanliness. His watchful eye keeps our water bottles as chill as our cucumber vines, and our garden as pristine as a sunflower in full bloom. John's dedication extends even further – he took it upon himself to ensure our garden table stayed beer-can-free this week, preserving our garden's tranquility. A tip of the hat to you, John!
This Sunday at the Garden:
Om has found his way back home after scouring the countryside for magical seeds! As the harvest moon looms, it's time to usher the remaining seedlings, both the broccolini and the sweet beets, from the keyhole's nurturing embrace to new homes in our garden. Let's ensure they thrive in their new abodes. The Green Thumb Squad, under Om's guidance, will carefully transplant the seedlings into their new vessels, fostering their growth. Simultaneously, we must rejuvenate our beds, tidying them up in preparation for the next season.
The A-Team, comprising Roscoe, Kim, Brian , and John, shall continue their work on the multi-tiered waterfall garden. Planting in tiers offers numerous benefits, such as optimal space utilization, enhanced aesthetics, and improved water distribution. Additionally, it allows for a raised garden bed that will accommodate our universally accessible theme and design. This week, the A-Team will continue to build the waterfall garden as the seedlings are rehomed so the transition can happen smoothly.
The Garden Council shall convene around the picnic table to discuss our impending fall planting strategy in Zone 9. Zone 9, as defined by the USDA, encompasses areas with average annual minimum temperatures ranging from 20°F to 30°F, making it a warm and inviting locale for year-round gardening.
We will also delve into the fascinating world of companion planting in Zone 9 during the fall season. Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves placing certain plants together to enhance growth, reduce pests, and improve overall yield. In our region, it takes on added significance due to the climatic challenges we face. 
Here are some essential companion planting examples for Zone 9 during the fall:

  • Herbs: Fall is an excellent time to plant herbs in Zone 9. We can add basil,cilantro, oregano, and parsley to the garden beds. These herbs thrive in the milder fall temperatures, and we can enjoy fresh herbs well into the winter. 
  • Leafy Greens: Plant leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and kale in early fall. These cool-season crops appreciate the moderate temperatures and can be harvested for salads and cooking throughout the season. 
  • Root Vegetables: We will be planting carrots, beets, and radishes. Their growth benefits from the warm soil and cooler fall air temperatures, resulting in sweet and tender root crops. 
  • Brassicas:  Broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can be successfully started in late summer for a fall harvest. The mild winters of Zone 9 allow these crops to thrive, and they're less prone to bolting. 
  • Peas and Beans: Bush beans and snap peas can be planted in early fall. These legumes appreciate the cooler weather and produce well before winter sets in. 
  • Tomatoes: While most tomatoes prefer the warmth of spring, certain varieties suited for fall planting can thrive in Zone 9. Let’s look for quick-maturing and heat-tolerant varieties.  The Arizona Worm Farm has a bunch of excellent seedlings for sale right now.  
  • Peppers: Plant peppers in late summer or early fall. They will continue to produce fruit well into the fall months in Zone 9's mild climate. 
  • Citrus Trees: Fall is an ideal time to plant citrus trees. They have a chance to establish their roots before the summer heat returns. 
  • Marigolds: Marigolds are excellent to deter pests and enhance the health of our garden. Companion plants like nasturtiums andborage can also provide multiple benefits, including attracting pollinators.  We have three previously loved barrels to use—maybe we could place one or two in the pollinator area and plant borage in them.

Lastly, the community's efforts in compost management have been commendable. We are now focusing on pile number two; therefore, let pile number one continue its transformation undisturbed. Let's place a tarp or sign over pile number one to prevent any inadvertent disturbances, reminding everyone that it's akin to a delicate cake baking in the oven – patience is our ally. Please continue to bring your veganic food scraps to keep the fires burning. We need this compost for our fall plants.
With the latest grant ($1400) that Community Harvest Community Gardens nonprofit procured for citrus trees , we need to discuss where we will plant the trees and what varieties to get. Fall is the ideal time to plant citrus trees. I will then present the proposed plan to ABM to see if they are okay with our planting there; if not, Community Harvest Community Gardens nonprofit will explore an alternative location.
 Cactus Kelly  has offered to take us all on a foraging voyage around the foothills of South Mountain on October 21st!  Mark your calendars  and join us for a few hours of learning about our desert  and its edible benefits. 
In closing, I make a heartfelt plea: we still require a couple of volunteers for the Garden Fair table at Ironwood Library on September 16th, from noon to 2:30 PM. Let's ensure our presence shines at this event, showcasing the fruits of our labor.
With gratitude and green thumbs,

Kimberly

Comments

Ahwatukee Community Garden Spring 2023 Teamwork

3/29/2023

Comments

 
Greetings, gardeners and Garden friends!

 Have you seen what’s happening at the Garden lately?

Last week, the troop continued their efforts in transforming the pollinator garden. Digging trenches, filling planter barrels, painting a bee tower. This is going to a very special place!!

And our garden team is building even more beds – one on the upper deck of the tree grove, and the other will be the container bed/work area.

It’s thrilling to see all the work going on and the progress being made all throughout! And always great to see new friends getting involved!

Come by and join your community at the Garden, Sundays from 8AM to 10AM. There’s PLENTY to do! Here's a sample:

* Please sign in and write your name on a label.
* Continue setting up the container bed/work area.
* Fill barrels and other containers with soil.
* Thin plants as needed.
* Weeding in all beds – with guidance on which are weeds and what are intentionally planted flowers to deter garden pests. It’s sometimes hard to know the difference.
* Supplemental watering where needed.
* Prep long garden bed for flowers.
* Plant more seeds.
* Signage.
* Add more pavers to the melon patch.
* Tend to weeds in soup garden; harvest thin plants; pick lettuce.
* Pull mint in the herb garden.
* Clip sunflowers – take some home! We’ll be clipping it periodically.
* Continue sprucing up the Garden premises in general.
* Everyone, please sign out in the Garden logbook before leaving. Enter your name, what you did, and note anything that needs attention. Comments and suggestions are always welcome!

See you at the Garden!

Comments

Survey for All Our Gardeners and Garden Fans

1/2/2023

Comments

 
Picture
​HAPPY 2023!!!

Thanks to all our community for your continued interest in revitalizing the Ahwatukee Community Garden.

There is much to do to get the Garden ready for the Spring – we’re looking to revamp the grounds a bit and to develop a PLAN (short, mid, and long-term) for the beds, for the grounds, and for what the Ahwatukee Community Garden will be all about going forward.
 
We can’t do it all at once, so you will be instrumental in setting our priorities. We’ll (re)start with the basics and build from there.
 
Thanks to Linda’s efforts on our annual fundraising campaign AND OUR AMAZING FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS, we get to build on a solid foundation. Our challenge now is to plan and use those funds wisely.
 
We invite you to join in wherever you can. I can tell you, it’s very satisfying to see positive results from even the most modest contributions of time and talent. And let’s not forget that it’s FUN and rewarding to work together!
 
Please take a few minutes to complete our survey HERE.
It’s not long.

 
Thank you for being part of our community!
 
SEE YOU AT THE GARDEN!


BETINA FRISONE
Garden Coordinator
Comments

Thank You for Our Fundraising Success

12/29/2022

Comments

 
Picture
Dear Garden Friends,

Thank you for making this year's fundraiser such a success!
​

Here is what was donated:
Crowdfunds raised: $2001
Strong Start Grant: $100
Challenge Grant: $300
----------------------------
Grand Total: $2401


On a personal note, I am so excited for the future of the garden. When I visited earlier this month, there was a large crew working.  Betina is doing a wonderful job reorganizing, and I am so thankful to be able to pass the shovel when the future looks so promising. 
I am able to ditch my cane most of  the time, now, and my last Physical Therapy is tomorrow.  So as gardener emeritus (is there such a title?) I will be coming by the garden only to visit, but I would like to help on the education committee, since that was what I originally only intended  to do 10 years ago, LOL. 

Linda Rominger
2022 fundraiser director
Picture
Comments

2022 Ahwatukee Community Garden Fundraiser

11/11/2022

Comments

 

Hi friends,
​
​Here is information on this year's fundraiser:

https://donate.seedmoney.org/faq

We can receive donations here starting on Nov. 15, 2022:

https://donate.seedmoney.org/7794/ahwatukee-community-garden

Thanks for supporting your local garden!

Linda Rominger
2022 Campaign Leader

Comments
<<Previous

    Ahwatukee Community Garden Beauty

    I started coming to the Sunday gardening group in the fall of 2013. I've learned a lot and have forged new friendships with other earth lovers.  Master Gardeners Linda and Bob have so much knowledge they freely give the rest of us! Bill and I became Master Gardeners as well in 2014 ~ Kelly Athena
    Website and photos by Kelly Athena ("Cactus Kelly")

    Archives

    September 2023
    March 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    November 2021
    September 2020
    December 2019
    June 2019
    February 2019
    May 2018
    February 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    March 2015
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

    Categories

    All
    Bok Choy
    Composting
    Keyhole Garden
    Okra
    Plant Artistry
    Planting Guides
    Spring Gardening
    Squash

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • ACG Home
  • Map
  • Garden Updates
  • Contact
  • Weekend Workshops Schedule 2023
  • Garden Newsletter
  • Volunteer
  • What are we growing?
  • DONATIONS