What we've been up to all summer

It's been a rough summer:  too hot and dry for too long. 
Our garden has had it's up and downs.  See for yourself.

Close to 2,000 pounds harvested so far.

For 8 Tuesday evenings a group of gardeners and community members practiced yoga in the garden.  Yep, it was hot at times.

We had a cooking demonstration thanks to Operation Food Search and a Diabetes talk.

We had some help with the mowing.  Thanks, Rodney.

We struggled to keep everything watered. It takes everything we've got...

portable barrels

 training

 

 byo

 rain required

 byo

 water main break

  a gusher

Our first Saturday with Matt Even, Hub Garden liasion from Gateway Greening, was a tool sharpening demo.

We're not done yet.  We have gardening and growing to do.  Maybe more yoga in the fall.  Some events you won't want to miss.  Even a Zoo class.

Looks like more "UPS" than "DOWNS" in 2012.

Earth Day at Wayside Community Garden

We celebrated Earth Day 1 day early, April 21st.  It was a beautiful day with lots planned.  People came from all around town to buy plants and vegetable seedlings, to see our spot of green in Normandy, to take a chance on winning a rain barrel or a compost bin for their home.
Some came to learn about using Natives at home.  Others came so their children could plant seeds to take home.  Of course, many came for Steve's famous crepes.
Here's what it looked like.

Brenda taking it all in.  Yao family waiting for the rain barrel drawing.

Kids planting, Ed and Doug catching up.

Heirloom tomato seedlings going fast!

Super salespersons taking a break-Patti, Joann and Margaret.

Arndt family

Kelley family

The winners!  Gwyn and Marc

Raised Beds: Ready to plant

Gravel and soil delivered.   check

Another Expansion Grant from Gateway Greening-4 raised beds for our gardeners who are less able to get on the ground to grow their veggies.   check










Materials delivered by Matt Even, Gateway Greening.   check

3 people, 4 beds assembled
check

Then the real work began.  Day after day, volunteers shovelled, wheeled, lifted, spread rock then soil.

(no "checks" yet)

Brian and Barbara

Brian tries a riskier method.

Steve and Romi take a much-needed break.

Volunteers, yeah!  Andy from UMSL and Romi from Beyond Housing

Tommie, Reneice and Richard work on the final step-soil.

Days later, work completed.  CHECK!

Thank you to everyone who worked on this backbreaking project.  There were more who helped but did not get photographed:  Brenda, Chancellor, Dan, Doug, Jane, you.

Three of the 4 beds are already planted.

April Showers Bring...

...water in the rain barrels!
Thanks, Doug for making it happen.

And lettuce, spinach, radishes, asparagus.

This photo shows the lettuce in Brett and Brandi's garden.  They are new at Wayside this year and off to a great start.







Predictions are for an overnight frost this week.  Everyone who jumped the gun by planting those warm season crops (tomatoes) should protect them.  Be sure to uncover during the warmer daylight hours. Good Luck!

More March Happenings...

As part of the grant to rehab the house we have had the property assessed for contamination.  Here they are probing to see if the former gas stations across the street have left their mark on our property.

On Tuesday, March 27th,  Wayside garden leaders, Dan, Steve, and Doug went to an abandoned community garden in north St. Louis to retrieve the lumber from several raised beds. 

Thank you to Gateway Greening for alerting us to this.
And thank you to these 3 gardeners for doing the heavy work.

Join us at Wayside for the rebuild. We are thinking pumpkins, squash...
What else do you recommend?

OPENING DAY 2012

The day was beautiful.









Dan and Steve

The turnout was spectacular.The work accomplished was phenomenal.







We had about 50 gardeners and friends help out, signed-up 6 new members,
turned the compost, tilled the beds, got the water tanks ready to fill, weeded, mulched, and more. 

Lisa, Stephanie, Reniece

We shared seeds and seedlings,
made new friends, had a great time. 
Went home tired.

Jane S., Jen and John

Next Saturday, we head to the
Ferguson Farmer's Market for some
seed sharing and garden talk.

See you in the garden

Another Awards Ceremony for Wayside

Brenda, Steve, Dan, Jane, SheRon and girls
pictured with Mike Sorth from Gateway Greening
(not pictured, Joan)

On February 29th, 8 Wayside Gardeners attended the Gateway Greening Community Garden Awards Ceremony.  We were happy to learn that we have been awarded 4 ADA compliant raised beds.
We plan to get these installed for our gardeners March 13th.  Tune in later for details.

Meanwhile, see you in the garden starting Saturday (3/10/12).  We'll be there at 11:00.  How about you?