Sunday, May 31, 2015

Happy 6th Birthday Davis Park Community Garden!

The Davis Park Community Garden was established in 2009.
Here is short news item from the Smith Hill Community Development Corparation:

On May 30, 2009, the Davis Park Community Garden was launched with its first member workday. 21 garden beds were built and all but one small bed have been claimed. Some gardeners have even started planting! Thirty volunteers of all ages showed up to assist in the creation, placement and soil preparation of the beds. There is still space for additional beds and we are looking for more community gardeners.
And here are some photos from the event:



Friday, May 29, 2015

Garden path improvement

Annalisse, one of our new gardeners has been busy improving the garden path.
She has worked hard to remove the grass, weeds, and rocks  from an area  that had been neglected until now.

Check out the pictures below for some in progress and after pictures (unfortunately there are no before photos).

Thank you, Annalisse!

Path improvement in progress

Getting ready for wood chips

And the results (click picture to enlarge)

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Sign painting day - Part 1

Garden members Nina, Wendy, Ed, and Matt worked on preparing signs to hang on the fence along Chalkstone Avenue.
When finished the sign will spell out Davis Park Community
Garden.

Eddie, Nina, and Wendy



Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Groundhog update

In order to discourage the groundhog from digging in plot 47, chicken wire has been put in place.
The chicken wire that was in the shed has been utilized for this. . If this chicken wire belongs to an individual, please leave a cooment below and it will be returned to the  shed. The fencing has not been cut and it is just a matter of rolling it back up.

Wood chips, wood chips, wood chips

There are four areas of the garden in need of wood chips.
Chips are needed on the  terrace, around plots 2, 4, and 6; and around the new plots. Also around plot 52.
This is a good task to fulfill your monthly community service.

Make sure you clear the weeds from the area and then lay down a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard (located in the shed). Then put down a 3-4 inch layer of wood chips.







Front compost pile update

The compost pile has been greatly reduced. Most of it has been moved to the compost bins.
Once it is completely moved, we should look into getting more gravel to return the path to its original condition.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.


Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Weed Control Workshop - URI Outreach Center - May 23

Become a garden weed whisperer! URI Master Gardeners will tell you about some of the common weeds in vegetable gardens, what they mean, and how to get rid of them. FREE workshop on Saturday, May 23rd 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the community garden adjacent to the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center.



























Registration not required - just arrive a little before 11 a.m.
Bring a lawn chair, a notebook and lots of questions.
DIRECTIONS: The community garden is adjacent to the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center parking lot - park there and walk down.
Please contact the URI Outreach Center at outreach@uri.edu for more information about our educational programs this year.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Modular Garden Fencing

Modular Garden Fencing: This fencing for your plot is attractive, sturdy, and can be removed quickly, without leaving a trace. The panels can be used over and over again, reconfigured, and/or added onto at any point in time







This may work against the groundhogs, but there is a distinct possibility they will dig under or climb over the fence.

Thanks to rwitch at Instructables

Some simple rules for the garden

Just a reminder about some rules in the community garden

1. When you use something from the shed please return it to the shed.
2. When you pull weeds, throw them out or add them to the compost.
3. After you use a garden hose coil it back up.
4. Pick up litter when you see it.



Thank you for your cooperation.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Workshops from URI Outreach Center-Urban Gardening Center




Do you want to start growing your own food?


All workshops are FREE and open to the public!  
Mark the dates below on your calendar to
join URI Master Gardener educators from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. outdoors
in the inspiring Roger Williams Park Community Garden in Providence, RI.  In the event of rain, workshops will be held inside the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center.



Registration not required - just arrive a little before 11 a.m.! 

Bring a lawn chair, a notebook and lots of questions!
DIRECTIONS: The community garden is adjacent to the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center parking lot - park there and walk down!
Please contact the URI Outreach Center at outreach@uri.edu for more information about our educational programs this year

MAY 16
Seed Bomb Construction

MAY 23
Weed Control

JUNE 13
Integrated Pest Management

JULY 11
Native Plants

AUGUST 15
Critter Management

SEPTEMBER 12
Composting

SEPTEMBER 26
Creating a Hugelkultur Bed

OCTOBER 17
Seed Saving and Garden Closing

What to plant this week

Here is a list of vegetables that can be planted for May 15th according to the Rhode Island Planting Calendar produce by the URI Master Gardener Association.

From seeds (plant directly in the garden):
Baby lima beans
Pinto beans
Snap beans
Beets
Black-eyed peas
Bok Choy
Carrots
Chard
Sweet corn
Cucumbers
Pumpkin
Radishes
Spinach

Transplants:
Cauliflower
Celery
Kohl Rabi
Head lettuce
Leaf Lettuce
Leeks

NOTES: Dates are based on final frost on May 15 and first frost on October 15.
Be aware of local microclimates that may make your garden cooler or warmer & alter frost dates.
Transplants should be exposed to the outdoors for increasing periods over several days before planting.("hardened off")


Download the complete calendar here

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Upcoming Event

Potluck Breakfast
at Davis Park Community Garden

Date: Saturday, May 16, 2015

Time: 9:30 am to 11:30 am

Place: Davis Park Community Garden

(intersection of Chalkstone Ave and Raymond St.)

Please join us in welcoming all new and returning gardeners for a new season

Please bring your favorite food to share  . . . it’s of course optional, but will much appreciated.

Sponsored by Davis Park Community Garden Public Area Subcommittee

Handle on water spigot not working correctly.

The handle on the second water spigot is not working as expected.
If the handle is put into the normal closed position then the water will continue to run.
Please place the handle as pictured to ensure that the water is off.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Garden Report: May 4-10

Woodchips have been placed around plot 46.
Please continue to place woodchips on the paths. Another layer will help control weeds later in the season.

A number of tomato cages have been collected and placed next to the shed.
If you need cages please take them and place them in your plot by June 1

Groundhogs continue to burrow in the garden. So far, no plans have been made to remove them. They seem to favor beans and peas but will eat just about any leafy vegetable or fruit. You may want to find a way to protect your plants.

Weather:
Highest Temp: 82° F on Monday May 4
Lowest Temp: 42° F on Monday May 4
Average High Temp: 78° F
Average Low: 49° F
Precipitation: 0.00 in.

Monday, May 4, 2015

Garden Report for The Weekend of May 2-3, 2015

Here is the report for the weekend of May 2-3.
Nina, Mike, Wendy and Mark tended their plots.
Nina planted some perennials.
Matt added wood chips to the terrace
Nina and Matt made plans to attach signage to the fence along Chalkstone Ave.

Weather
Saturday: Scattered clouds. High temp: 64 Low temp: 33 Precipitation: 0.00 in.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. High temp: 69 Low temp: 42 Precipitation: 0.00 in.

Want to to include your garden activity in the next report? Send an email with activity details to matthew393@gmail.com