Grillin' in the Garden

The food-garden connection is not always apparent to people. Many people don't know how a raw potato covered in dirt can become something yummy. That is why I am posting this Ready Made Grill. I have soooo many bricks, it would be neat to donate them to a CG! Then you could have cooking lessons, facilitate garden parties, etc! I found this on Ready Made, so click on the title of this post or the photo to get the specific directions.

Citified Chickens

I have wanted to raise chickens for a long time now. In Oregon, I had a student who would sell me his farm fresh eggs every week and I haven't been able to find a better egg since. The yolks were so amazing and rich-they were deep orange, not yellow. As if that wasn't reason enough, buying local eggs helped to support a young entrepreneur. I have searched at Whole Foods, Kroger, Giant Eagle, and Trader Joes, and I haven't been able to find any eggs that come directly from the Central Ohio Region.

I think it would be quite an adventure to add chickens to a community garden. I wonder if it would work?

This article from the dispatch talks about raising chickens within Columbus city limits, so at least we know it is legal! Click on the title of this post to find out more.

This is the first step to egg heaven.

The Cornell Formula for Powdery Mildew

On the ACGA listserv, a local CG from City Farms and the Garden of CAYNDness asked about powdery mildew. People answered from all around the states to suggest the Cornell Formula, a natural, baking-soda based spray developed at that University that has shown success against even black spot. Here it is:

In one gallon of water, mix and repeatedly shake:

1 tablespoon baking soda.

2 drops dishwashing liquid or insecticidal soap.

1 tablespoon oil. You can use vegetable oil, but 'horticultural oil' will work better, especially one of the new lighter-weight "summer oils". (Cowboy Gardeners: Do NOT use motor oil or WD-40 or any other such foolish thing.)

I wasn't sure what these oils were about, but I found these commercial brands at Colorado State Extension (SunsprayR, ScalecideR, VolckR), as well as a detailed explanation.

Ready Made Blog

How about some seating in your community garden?! This project is available on http://readymade.com/.

Striped Cucumber Beetle

Grrr...my garden is taking a beating this year.

This will definitely take some reflection on my part.

In the meantime, I have discovered what is getting after my cucumbers. It is the Striped Cucumber Beetle. They are having a grand time on my plants.

I originally thought it was the Squash Vine Borer, but when I dissected the stem for larvae, there weren't any.

By the way, dissecting my stem meant cutting it off at the base. It really didn't matter anyway because the plant was completely withered and brown and dying anyway.
Click on the link to see the photos of the likely beetle eggs and withered cucumbers.

I have a bad feeling I will have to refer to this website often to figure out which pest is bothering which plant, but at least it is a good site.

Partners to take part in 'carrot caravan'

A tour of three community gardens in Columbus will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday. Dubbed the "carrot caravan," the tour is part of the Three Sisters Community Garden Partnership, a collaboration of three community gardens: the Native American Indian Center Community Garden, the Horn of Africa Community Garden and the East 5th Avenue Urban Women's Community Garden.

Members host monthly potluck dinners and discuss ideas, needs and objectives.
Three Sisters Community Garden Partnership received a grant this summer for garden enhancement and expansion from Yes To Carrots.

Yes To Carrots is an Israel company that produces natural skin and hair-care products that combine anti-oxidants from organic fruits and vegetables with 26 minerals harvested from Israel's Dead Sea.

The "carrot caravan" is free, but attendees must provide their own transportation between gardens.

The tour will begin at 9 a.m. at the Horn of Africa Community Garden, 2154 Eddystone Ave., and continue to the East 5th Avenue garden, 3025 E. 5th Ave., and finish at the Native American Garden, 67 E. Innis Ave. tferan@dispatch.com

Bill

CAC-Another Amazing Resource for CG

I see this blog as sort of a locker of ideas, some that are worth going back to reconsider later when the right time comes. I think I just found a jewel of a resource for community gardening. They have welcome letters for gardeners, a timeline for the garden, and so much more. WOW.

Garden Works

I cannot believe how many great resources are on this Minneapolis based site for community gardening. Check it out.

DOWLING COMMUNITY GARDEN

Wow. This is a community garden that has it all (except for a fantastic teen program like Trish's Godman Guild/Weiland Park CG). Click on the title of this post to go to their site and see what a deeply meaningful, organized, and well run a 60 year old community garden looks like.

You Grow Girl Was Here!

http://www.fluffco.com/gayla/

Click on the title of this blog to see Gayla Trail's blog entry about Columbus Community Gardening from her perspective.