HPPL Green Teens

Cool Weather Planting

2011-04-04T10:58:00.000-07:00

Despite my fears that I will fail miserably at this whole gardening endeavor, the cool weather seeds were planted yesterday! With the support of the community and the Edible Gardens group here in Highland Park, the library garden now has lettuce, radish, and pea seeds in the ground.

Now I just have to remember to water it...

The Black Thumb

2010-08-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

Warning: From now on, all posts are being authored by me...Karen, the new young adult librarian. And unlike Michelle, I am not skilled in the art of making things grow. In fact...

...I have a confession to make: I have managed to kill almost every single plant I have ever owned. NOT because I did not try, but because my family is cursed with The Black Thumb. For those of you out there who are unfamiliar with this terminology, The Black Thumb is the exact opposite of The Green Thumb. Rather than making plants flourish, the loving care given to plants by people with The Black Thumb generally results in their failure to thrive and ultimately in their death.

The only thing that makes me feel okay is the fact that everyone in my immediate family suffers from the same curse. Here are some examples:

My sister used to have a plant graveyard on her balcony--a lonely place littered with various pots of dirt and the shriveled remains of once living foliage. It was really quite depressing.
In my lifetime, my dad has accidentally mowed down a variety of once perfectly healthy bushes, shrubs, flowers, etc. (The accidental nature of these incidents is still under question.)
The dry branches of my mom's miniature rose became the new residence of a friendly spider and was soon covered in cobwebs, but at least something was living in the pot.
I even once "broke" a baby pine tree while sledding. It is amazing how quickly a snow saucer, an innocent child's plaything, can transform into a device not quite dissimilar to a circular saw.

Here is my most recent foray into the world of gardening:

(Please note the sad decaying top. You would think that even I could keep a cactus alive, but alas, it is dead.)

Now that you are most likely horrified, let me assure you that I love plants. I am excited to have inherited the HPPL Green Teens garden from Michelle. But also keep in mind that I will need the help and support of all you green thumbed community members out there!

Please do not hesitate to stop by if you have any suggestions, questions, comments, etc. Even if you are not green thumbed, you should still come by and introduce yourself!

I am so excited to be a part of your community, and I hope to get to know as many of you as I can!

Su-su-su-sunflower time!

2010-07-26T16:55:00.000-07:00

Ours are the largest sunflowers I have ever seen! I was beginning to think they were magic beans planted by Jack! The flowers are just starting to pop out - you can see them at the top.

Look at the giant leaves....

And last but not least our edible harvest this week....2 cucumbers. I gave the tomatoes to one of my favorite "library" families. They are at home putting them in their salad as I write this :) Herbs are still going strong, too.

Alas, our zucchini never got pollinated so there are no fruits from that labor of love. Still hope for the beans....check back in a week or 2.

Peas,

Michelle

Our beds overfloweth!

2010-06-30T13:46:00.001-07:00

Wow - please take a look at our last post and see how far we've come!

We harvested all the peas and they were sweet and delicious!
Our herbs and nasturtiums went to Elijah's Promise. Yay, us.

Now, like Thoreau, we are determined to know beans..and carrots.
A few bean sprouts have sprung and the carrot seeds just went in.
I would love to make a carrot!

The squash and cucumber plants are full of flowers so the veggies can't be far behind. Tomatoes also have an abundance of gorgeous yellow flowers just waiting to become tomatoes.

Stop by and admire the beautiful work of Mother Nature!

Peas

2010-04-20T11:50:00.000-07:00

A peas teepee and a bed of lettuce so far.

Keep your eyes out for May planting date. Probably one day after school.

Thanks to our volunteers who helped shovel and plant!

Thanks to Sustainable HP and Edible Gardens Project for letting us in on their
fun.

Watch us grow!

Earth Day - Upside Down Planters!

2010-04-05T16:16:00.000-07:00

Our plan for Earth Day Fair:

We will be making our own upside down planters.
Picture tomorrow of what ours will look like but here is a link to something similar

http://www.cheapvegetablegardener.com/2009/04/make-your-own-upside-down-tomato.html

Ours will be a little different.
Tomatoes on bottom, basil and/or other herbs on top.

We need:
plastic quart containers
coffee filters
twine
duct tape

We'll buy cherry tomato plants and I am growing basil and other herbs from seed that we can use.

Let me know if you can save containers for us or have other supplies.

Meeting April 12th to make samples and discuss Earth Day setup.

Peas, Michelle

The Best Fertilizer

2010-03-30T12:08:00.000-07:00

is the gardener's shadow. ~ Author unknown

We have big plans for a bigger more beautiful garden this year.
I hope you will want to come out and help.

Saturday April 10 - Building the raised bed.
Saturday April 17 - Dirt delivery

Planting Day TBD.

Contact me if you are interested in shadowing the garden with me :)

Peas,

Michelle

We Wait in Joyful Hope!

2010-03-21T13:14:00.000-07:00

The best fertilizer is the gardener's shadow. ~Author Unknown

Here we go! Trying something new this year. Just planted some seeds directly into the raised bed. Snap Peas, Spinach, Marigolds, Swiss Chard and some mesclun that Ellen started for us in the milk container. Wish them luck!

I may need to cover the bed at night. We'll see. You can, too! I'll post it's progress.

We have a beautiful design for an expanded garden, thanks to Master Gardener, Roberta Kressel. She is a great asset. She and I look forward to working with
our Green Teens to create a beautiful, useful garden.

See you at the library.

Peas,
Michelle

Seeds for Solidarity

2010-03-03T12:33:00.000-08:00

http://www.seedsofsolidarity.org/

Check them out. Deb Habib(a HPHS grad!) was here and gave a very inspirational talk about what they are doing in Mass. We can do it, too. One step at a time. Sustainable Highland Park and the Edible Gardens Project are making things happen.
It is very exciting - jump on board!

Judging by the turnout there is clearly a large interest in this in HP and surrounding communities.
We hope this is the first of many such workshops and discussions.

Check back for more.

Mark you calendars for the Earth Day Event, April 22nd at the high school. Focus will be on food and agriculture. We will have a table there! Let me know if you want to help out there and with our library garden.

Best,

Michelle

Grow Food Everywhere!

2010-02-27T08:17:00.000-08:00

"Grow Food Everywhere," program led by Deb Habib, EdD
Founder and Executive Director of Seeds of Solidarity, Orange, MA
This program is for parents, students and community interested in local
food and gardens for health, education, community vitality, and justice.
Monday, March 1, at 7 pm
Highland Park Public Library
31 North Fifth Ave., Highland Park

Learn...
* Why we must--and how we can--grow more food in all of our communities,
from schools to lawns to lots
* Exciting and accessible sustainable gardening techniques used at Seeds
of Solidarity Farm to build soil through no-till practices and solar
greenhouses
* How to help mitigate climate change while cultivating delicious and
abundant food
* About youth agriculture, school and community wellness gardens, and a
successful art and agriculture festival, which inspire and explain
approaches to increasing community-based food self-reliance

Participate in a roundtable discussion to delve more deeply into issues
and ideas, and generate next steps toward fresh food for all and community
food security.

Program jointly sponsored by the Edible HP School Gardens Project and the
HP Public Library. The School Gardens Project is a joint school/community
program supported by a grant from Sustainable Jersey.

Hope to see you there!

We Grew it Here!

2009-10-20T11:11:00.001-07:00

Can you imagine what we can grow when we start adding our own compost!

We had a wonderful composting workshop here last night.
We had 2 wonderful presenters, Roberta Kressel and Judy Wagner. They are recently certified as Master Gardeners through the Rutgers Cooperative Research and program.
They were delightful - informative and engaging.

We learned how to get started, what to add, (and what not to add) and how to solve any problems. I'm sure we won't have no stinkin' problems. Especially if we make sure not to add any meat products.

Dead leaves, vegetable scraps, fireplace ash, shredded b&w newspaper - all good.
The right level of moisture and air are important as well. Turning your pile often is good. I can't wait to get started. Tonight my garden gets turned into the beginnings of my compost pile.

You can purchase a compost bin for $25 from the Middlesex County Improvement Authority. Hours are 1st and 3rd Wed. of the month 11 am - 2 pm. 55 Edgeboro Road.
Or just make your own with chicken wire. This is my plan for my own garden but I'm hoping the library will purchase the much more attractive bin.

For the flyer cut and paste the link below:
http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/planningboard/Compost%20bin%20sale.pdf

Any questions? Stop in, we have flyers and info available to you.

Have a group that would like to host a workshop? Visit their website and call the Rutgers Extension
http://njaes.rutgers.edu/extension/

A big thank you to Roberta and Judy. They'll be back in the spring to get us ready for gardening! Be there.

Michelle

Our Garden

2009-09-04T13:48:00.001-07:00

It was a wonderful summer project. Thank you to Edible Gardens Project for the great idea and the assistance. Click their link on the right to see what other good things they are up to.

We got off to a rough start but our garden it finally thriving. Tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs abound. That's a bit of an exaggeration, but it looks good.
We made a delicious gazpacho with our largest "harvest" and a little help from my home garden and the farmer's market.

We have some interesting workshops lined up for fall.

Composting - presented by 2 local Master Gardeners. Ages 12 and up are welcome, including adults. Please register for this October 19th event to be held at 7 pm.

Sustainability - Tina Weishaus, Anne Barron and Irene Marx will be here to play a game with us that will help us learn about sustainability. November, details to follow.

Send me pictures of your garden and I'll post them here...free zucchini to anyone who sends me a picture. mreasso@hpplnj.org

Pumpkin patch for the fall. See me if you want to help.

Cheers, Michelle

Our first tomato!

2009-07-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

Does Our Garden Grow?

2009-07-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

Not so much....

The cucumbers were delicious. Small...but yummy ;)

My garden at home is growing wildly with zucchini and tomatoes. I'll post a photo Friday. Send me photos of yours and we will create an album of HP gardens!

Roberta Kressel, board member and our resident Master Gardener, thinks the library garden does not get enough sun. We will consider moving it to another spot next year. I have a call into Rutgers Cooperative Extension to see if they can offer any advice.

Soil testing again Friday to see if our fertilizer application did any good or we need to add more.

Lab partners needed. The only requirement is that you can read and follow directions ;)

Stay dry.

Michelle

Build a Rain Barrel!

2009-07-16T09:23:00.000-07:00

Hi, all

The link below is to the Rutgers Cooperative Extension which has a lot to offer the community in terms of education and support. Check them out. They offer course like the one below. I plan on going - let me know if you are interested.

http://njaes.rutgers.edu/extension/

Build a Rain Barrel Class
On Tuesday, July 28, 2009, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex
County will present a /Build a Rain Barrel/ workshop from 6:30pm to
8:30pm at the EARTH Center in Davidson's Mill Pond Park, 42 Riva Ave,
South Brunswick.

Participants will build their own rain barrel and learn how to install
it at home. A rain barrel is placed under a gutter's downspout next to
a house to collect rain water from the roof. The barrel holds
approximately 50 gallons of water which can be used to water gardens.
The use of collected rain water can save money on water bills, prevent
basement flooding, and reduce flooding in local rivers and streams.

Deadline for registration is Thursday, July 23rd. Register in advance
at 732 398 5262. The workshop fee is $40 for advanced registration and
$45 at the door. (Rain Barrels sell for over $60 at specialty garden
shops). The size of the class is limited, so register early to insure
a space.

Please note: Barrels can be placed lying down in the backseat of most
vehicles to be transported home, but they are the size of a 55 gallon
drum. Please make arrangements in advance to transport your barrel
home.

Come check out the garden.
I will post updates on Fridays - so come back tomorrow and find out our soil test results and what we did about them.

Michelle

Gardeners Needed!

2009-07-08T08:36:00.000-07:00

Hi, all

Our garden needs help.
I need some of you to take a turn at looking after the garden - preferably one week at a time.

Also we have a soil tester and I need one of you to come by and test the soil for ph, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium and then we can go from there to see what we need.
I added the manure but I think it is going to need some additional organic fertilizer.

Stop by, call or email if you can help.

Michelle

Our First Harvest!

2009-07-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

Basil, chives, parsley and some lettuce - good work!

I transplanted the watermelon and replaced it with the yarrow(for good bugs), and sunflowers.
The watermelon went to my yard but it's not doing too well - yet. I'll work on it.

I added some nutritious organic manure to give our garden a boost but I think it needs some sunshine!

Check back often for news on our tomatoes, cucumbers and squash.

Have a safe 4th of July weekend. See you on the 6th for Improv!

Michelle

Garden update

2009-06-18T13:36:00.000-07:00

Hi, all

As you can see, our garden is doing well although it could use some sunshine.
I think all of us can all use some sunshine!

When it dries up(?) I am going to move the watermelon to another patch - might have to be my house - we have no more space here.
They will grow too large and spread too far to survive with the other vegetables.
I promise to share when they are grown and ready for picking.

I also have to get a larger container and a trellis for the cucumbers.

You may have missed Ellen Rossner's talk Monday night on pest control.
She promises to post her talk here so we can all benefit from her expertise.
She did donate some yarrow which attracts beneficial bugs. Yes, there are good bugs and she will tell us why.

Keep your eye on the garden. It is so nice to see people standing around it chatting and reading our garden quotes.
Which reminds me....
Don't forget to pick up your copy of Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman.

Best,

Michelle

And then the rains came....

2009-06-08T16:34:00.000-07:00

Which was good, for awhile. Enough already.

Our tomato plant has 2 flowers - which means the possibility of at least 2 tomatoes...

We need to re-evaluate our plantings. Our watermelons are going to really spread so we may need to get a container just for them. Our square foot gardening book says 2 squares per watermelon so maybe we will just move some things around.
We can discuss this next Monday evening at 7 pm (the 15th). Looking to get a gardener in to speak to us about our garden and what we can expect.

Also, please pick up your copy of Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman. It is very INSPIRATIONAL.

It is the story of a neighborhood that comes together over a garden that all started because one little girl planted some lima beans in memory of her father. See how this small act inspires others in her neighborhood to do the same. The neighbors are as diverse as the plants they are growing and the result is a beautiful and vibrant garden full of friends, flowers and food. Loved it.

We'll post discussion questions all summer long. Maybe I'll post them on our garden wall?

First question.
What is the original meaning of the word seedfolks? What does it mean to you?
Actually -save that one for later so pay attantion when you got to that part ;)
- we'll go chapter by chapter.

Week # 1
Kim -

Why did Kim start the garden?
Whose memory would you like to honor and keep alive? How would you do it?

Enjoy....I have some other books for us to read as well. Will post and compile a list as we gather
titles that relate to our garden. Any suggestions let me know.

Enjoy, Michelle

Our Edible Garden Project - In the beginning...

2009-06-04T12:59:00.000-07:00

We joined with a local organization, Edible Gardens Project (www.ediblegardensproject.org) to build a raised bed for our garden. We could not have done it without them so a big thank you to members Bruno Oriti, his wife Leigh and son Joey. They taught us how to make it from pallets that were being discarded (re-use rules!)and gave us some seeds and plants to help us get started.

If you want instructions on how to build your own raised bed from pallets contact
Edible Gardens Project through their website above.

We then filled it with beautiful, clean, organic dirt so we know our edibles will not be contaminated by anything that might be hazardous in the soil.

We are using the square foot method of gardening (www.squarefootgardening.com) to lay out our bed. This enables us to plant 16 different types of plants which we did with the help of another EGP memeber, Ellen Rosner. Thanks, Ellen.

Over the course of the summer we will keep this blog as our online journal of our garden's progress. We will have a harvest celebration in August and hope to have a bountiful harvest to share with our local food pantry!