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Survey for All Our Gardeners and Garden Fans

1/2/2023

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

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Thank You for Our Fundraising Success

12/29/2022

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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
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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

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2022 Ahwatukee Community Garden Fundraiser

11/11/2022

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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

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Latest Ahwatukee Community Garden News

11/11/2022

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Greetings, gardeners!

First, a BIG SHOUTOUT to all who gave of their time and effort at the Garden this past Sunday morning. We had a great turnout! We recognize that you could've chosen to be anywhere else; so, THANK YOU for showing up and getting your hands dirty with us. The Garden is coming alive, thanks to your efforts! Virtual hugs to all.

I'm so hopeful, seeing everyone pitching in, receiving your suggestions and trying my best to soak it all in and to focus on a few things at a time. My hope is that we're all learning from each other and finding our time together an enriching experience. I know I'm learning so much from Om, Anicka, and from all of you, new friends.

GOALS

At the Garden

That upon arriving at the Garden, y’all will know what’s planned for the day; you’ll be free to work on something you’re already good at or take on a task where you might learn something new; that we will have the proper tools for the job; and, we’ll have guidance as needed.

In that same vein, we can all learn from each other, so please, share your expertise – we’ll be looking to plan a slot, maybe every so many weeks, where we can gather at some point during our gardening sessions, to learn a garden-related or ancillary topic. To start us off... Is there anyone who can speak to garden tools maybe? On the importance of keeping them clean and well-sharpened, avoiding cross-contamination, etc.

After the Garden

To hear you and welcome your contributions of time, talents and treasure.

We seek your questions, suggestions, and advice. We also invite you to step right up, if there’s anything you can take on to grow our Garden. Many hands lighten the load.

Below is the feedback/needs that Sunday’s gardeners shared with us. PLEASE, let me know if I've missed anything or if you have any additional concerns or ideas for moving forward.
(Future editions will contain accomplishments as well.)

* HUGE!! Sabina discovered one area was being waay overwatered and another wasn’t being irrigated. Yikes! She’ll be working on establishing a proper schedule for each area, for this time of year, and will work with Maria on the best time for irrigation, following the master gardeners’ best practices.

* Hoses. Shopping for two heavy-duty hoses. For safety and good housekeeping, hoses need to be rolled up at the end of the day.
* Pruning shears, long-handled pruners and a few other gardening tools. Shopping for these as well.
* First aid kit. We have one, but probably needs restocking and a refresh, if items are outdated. Unfortunately, it may be more cost-effective to simply buy a new one.
* Also identified... Attach a sheet to said first aid kit, with simple instructions on what to do In Case Of Emergency: Who to contact, how to handle, above all, what to do for anyone who might get hurt while on the premises.
* Fruit-picking tools. Someone please tell me specifically what we need because I have no clue.
* Stepladder. Are we talking about a 4-ft ladder?
* Grants for garden. WHO suggested this? Any experience with this... let's talk!!
* Tulle. We need a lot of this to protect all beds other than the caged one. Will be picking up 3 bolts, for a total of $50.
* Signage. We're not easy to find and our sign is hidden. Contemplating on better placement (more visible) and creating a more open entry, making the main entrance at the south gate, instead, where we could have a 'welcome' table for the signups and poster with the plans for the day.

One major shortcoming that has been looming for a long time is the lack of a visual of our layout, as well as a formal planting calendar specific to our Garden, for each bed, etc. I recently came across an online garden planning tool that offers a ton of easy-to-use features. In fact, I want to get a subscription for my garden at home! The annual autorenewal rate is $29 per year. That’s a reasonable price, isn’t it? You can take a look here. I think it’s pretty amazing. Comments? Thoughts? Do you happen to have any experience with this or a similar tool, that you could assist in setting it up for the Garden if we were to get it, or provide some guidance.

HOW we do things will likely evolve as we learn what works for our little community.

Apologies if you think this email is too long. We want to keep you all informed – where we’re at, what we’re up to, and what comes next.

See you at the Garden!
Betina

BETINA FRISONE
Garden Coordinator

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