THINNING, WEEDING and MORE PLANTING

Team Giving Garden,

We are just getting in gear for the summer.  There will be activity at the Garden this Saturday after the Fiddlin Fish run.  We have several Garden supporters that have committed to run or walk this Saturday. There are plans for a few hours on Saturday starting after 9:00 AM.  We have some areas that need weeding and cultivating.  There are still some 180+ tomatoes that need to be caged and staked.  There is squash and cucumber to plant.  There are some crops already planted that germinated well and need thinning.  This process is real simple, ask or learn the “normal” in row spacing and pull the plants in between the keepers!  Some of the potatoes are looking good and all varieties need weeding.  The corn really “jumped” out of the ground.  In the next few weeks we will need to fertilize and cultivate the corn. The Herb Garden continues to mature and grow.  Thanks to the Herb team and the many who have helped develop this special place in the Garden.

Thanks for all that you do to support The Giving Garden!

LET’S PLANT VEGGIES!

We would like to extend a heartfelt Thank You for ALL volunteers that helped on Great Day of Service in The Giving Garden.  We had a tremendous response of help and much was accomplished at the North Campus.  We always have something to offer from the young to seasoned veteran farmers in our church at The Giving Garden.

This Saturday we need to plant the following: Bell Peppers, Cucumbers, Zucchini Squash and more Herbs.  The weather forecast looks favorable, http://www.weather.com/weather/5-day/Franklin+TN+37064:4:US    Please plan to come out to help any time from 8 AM till noon on Saturday.  There is always a need for cultivation on existing crops.  If wire is delivered we still need to make a few more tomato cages and install on some tomatoes in the Pump House plot.

The following is a little different request for assistance to all who help in the garden from occasional to frequent.  We have been very fortunate to add some equipment and assets to help produce the Garden over the past year.  To protect and secure these assets we ask when you are leaving the North Campus and you are “reasonably” sure everyone has left the property, please make sure to close the gate, chain and lock the main entrance.  We realize many people use the property for many different reasons.  We don’t want to lock anyone inside but we do need to make sure the gates are closed and secure each evening.  Thanks for your help in this security matter.

CURRENT PROJECTS AND GREAT DAY OF SERVICE

This Saturday weather permitting we will plant more tomatoes.  With the volume of tomatoes we are planting this year, we will need more tomato cages.  We will be building more tomato cages on Saturday.  Please plan to bring some heavy work gloves to avoid cuts and scraps from the wire ends.  There are plans to put together the beds for the Herbs on Saturday.  Additionally, we are requesting to scour your garage, storage shed and areas around your house for any unused outdoor pots.  If you have any fair to good outdoor pots of various sizes that you would like to donate to the Garden, please bring them to the greenhouse. Our Herb team has plans to re-purpose these for this year’s crop of herbs.

Please mark your calendars for May 5th – Great Day of Service.  If you  have already committed to lead or work with a GDS team, thanks for your service.  If you have not, we need you in The Giving Garden on May 5th.  We will be installing tomato cages and staking in place for the season.  There are plans for painting the barn and greenhouse.  We will be planting various crops like cucumber, beans, squash, watermelon and maybe some field peas.  We do have plans to plant some sweet potatoes but it is a little early.

It appears that the planted crops survived the recent frosts.  There is some damage but we hope the coming days will warm up and the plants will recover nicely.  Thanks for your continued support and we will look for you in the Garden real soon!

PRICELESS PICTURES

Tomato Planting

Come on out to the garden on Friday morning if you have some time.  We would like to get some more tomato plants in the ground before the rain comes.  Hope to see some happy faces beginning around 8:00 a.m. on Friday.  If the rain holds off, we will plant on Saturday too.”

TOMATO PLANTING TIME!

The Greenhouse has been a welcome addition to The Giving Garden.  Growing our own plants from seed has proved financially beneficial and quite a sharing experience to many friends, visitors and guests to the Garden.  The plants have responded well with strong healthy growth.  We have decided to transplant the tomato plants from the greenhouse to the field this week.  This process will begin Thursday and Friday from 8 AM till about noon.  Any plants not in the ground by Friday will be finished on Saturday from 9 AM till noon.  If you are available, we encourage and ask that you come and help with this project.  We encourage you to come out whenever you can to enjoy the Garden, Greenhouse, North Campus, some friends and fellowship.

THE GIVING GARDEN on the NORTH CAMPUS

We were again gifted with some incredible pictures from the North Campus. As we enter our HolyWeek may we be reminded of the bounty this land has produced and continues to provide for those in need.  May we be good stewards of the land for those of us who have the opportunity to enjoy on a frequent basis. 

THE GIVING GARDEN THIS SATURDAY

We have a 30% chance of rain tomorrow and Saturday.  If we receive “heavy” rain on Friday we will not be working in the garden on Saturday.  The ground will be to wet.  If we receive a “light” shower, we will plan to meet and address some tasks Saturday morning.  If the weather is agreeable between now and Saturday we do have some chores that need to be handled.  There are no major projects but enough to keep several people busy on Saturday.  There are a few seeds that need to be planted in flats in the greenhouse, planting 25-30 of the larger tomatoes and moving tomato cages from the barn to areas where the tomatoes will be planted.  With the potatoes and cabbage in the ground we really could use some rain.  See you in the Garden!

In The Garden Saturday, March 24

Spring showers have adjusted the schedule as they tend to do for all gardeners so we won’t be planting potatoes tomorrow but feel free to drop by the North Campus in the morning between 8 – 10 (if it is not raining) and see the progress that has been made.  All of the potatoes, onions, cabbage, and broccoli have been planted, the green house is up and running and plans are being made.  Drop by and see how you can become a part of the gardening ministry or just come enjoy the beauty of your North Campus on a quiet Saturday morning.  Feel free to bring a chair and watch the garden grow and enjoy your coffee!

Potatoes Are Going In The Ground

A very quick update to all of our faithful followers of The Giving Garden at the North Campus.  The potatoes that were scheduled to hit the dirt on Saturday are actually going in the ground early to get ahead of the rain that is forecast later in the week!

Join us tomorrow, Thursday, March 22, beginning at 7:30 a.m.  We’ll plant spuds until the rain runs us out of the field.

We’ll have more detailed information coming later in the week regarding if the rains have affected the work day scheduled for Saturday.  Right now…we’re still on!