Year 14 got a cold, raw start this morning. Yet, when I looked around, everyone was smiling. People were layered up and it didn’t matter much how cold it was. (Which kind of reminds me of that saying, “There is no such thing as bad weather—just inappropriate clothing.) I think all of us just felt good to get going. What did we do? See more smiling faces and read all about it here!
Janet Lane offers this summary of the work at the garden on Saturday, August 20.
Sometimes a little quick rinse is called for. Lili dunks the beets.
It’s been a while since I last helped and wow, it has filled in a lot! Fortunately, it wasn’t as hot as last Saturday. I worked along with other members of Hancock Church, First Baptist, the Chinese Bible Church of Boston and other friends of the Garden.
First tomatoes of the season!
Like most Saturdays, the focus was on harvesting early and fast so we could deliver to the Pantry in time for them to organize the fresh produce donations and distribute that morning. My quick total was ~ 115 lbs.–including potatoes, onions, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers, green beans, roman beans, pole beans, eggplant, bok choy, parsley, basil, beets, radishes, cherry tomatoes and chard.
– Amy Swanson
I found myself in Lexington Center around 5:30 pm last Tuesday, so I thought I’d stop by the garden, since I hadn’t been over in a while, and I had a question for Carla anyway. It was a beautiful evening, and I arrived just as work was finishing up. Carla was excited to show me some of the transitions in gardening practices that she’s been making over the last few years. For example, carrot seeds are now “broadcast” (spread loosely) on a raised row, rather than meticulous planting the seeds in a straight line. This is a much faster way to plant a large number of the small seeds. She’s also growing the strawberries in the critter-protected area with the blueberry bushes (which have LOTS of berries ripening!). My understanding is that the strawberries provide a nice groundcover and keep weeds down for the blueberries.
Anyway, it was wonderful to see Carla, and also long-time garden volunteer, Theresa. I snapped this picture of them both before I left. (Carla loves her birthday hat!) – Janet Kern
From the Garden – May 24, 2022
Someone let it slip that a birthday was coming up so we surprised our friend, Carla, with a short and sweet birthday celebration at the end of the gardening session on Tuesday. Janet Lane, the liaison from Follen, made a special cap and cape to honor Carla’s alter ego as a Gardening Super Hero. Alix, the beekeeper, made a honey cake shaped like a beehive and Lisa brought cup cakes with edible flowers.
And we also got some gardening done!
The garden looks wonderful! For all of you who have helped already, the work you’ve put in shows. The potatoes, lettuces, chard, beets, peas and everything — are all green and thriving.
Continue reading
