Workdays 6/17 - 6/20

On Monday we had a crew of 4 and 2 others volunteers feeding the birds from the Girls for Good. Betty Marcus watered indoors and outdoors. Julie Holmes planted our new whiskey barrel in the native garden with some perennials.  She also resanded the back patio again. One of these days it really needs to be cemented for safety and less work. Carol Hudenko planted some replacement succulents in the Faerie Garden. Someone has been eating the succulents probably trying to get some moisture.  After planting Carol added some hot pepper spray. Maybe that will keep the critters away. She also put in time removing woods rose from the south beds, one of our bi-annual chores. I spent my time planting a few additions to the sensory pots and tending the tomatoes. They needed longer stakes as they are growing. On Monday evening the Stones came and finished the trellises. The bench that Diana Watt refinished was placed there and red runner beans will be planted later this week. It already looks wonderful! The trellises match our previous trellis and repeat the lattice seen throughout the garden.

Many new flowers are blooming or about to bloom (daylilies, roses, bellflower, etc). The season is very early this year. By the time the monsoons arrive many of the perennial wildflowers will be done. I am looking for a topic for a July in-service. Is there anything that people want to know more about? or that one of our new gardeners wants to share?

This Thursday, we had another big crew in the garden, including a scout troop to build a path from Turquoise to Switzer Canyon sidewalk. The scouts were led by Kolbe Bendel, Eagle Scout. They cleared a 3 foot path, and lined it with rock found in the canyon, and added rock mulch donated by the Landscape Connection. They finished early, and spread the remaining mulch for another pathway from the sidewalk to the rose garden. The crew was large and worked several hours in the heat before enjoying some donated pizza. This is the 3rd Eagle Scout project in the garden. They have all added beauty, convenience for residents and families, while not spending money from our garden budget or taking time away from volunteers gardening. Thank you to Flagstaff's Boy Scouts.

Kolbe Bendel and his work crew - family and Scout Troop 7129

"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."-  James M. Barrie 

As I mentioned earlier we had many of our regular gardeners also working in the garden (10). Rebecca Davis did many tasks in her 4 hours in the garden - planting, cleaning the gazebo floor area, weeding, and cutting down some lilacs that are not thriving. Mary Natali, a new master gardener, spent her time deadheading and removing spreading plants from under rose bushes. Linda Guarino spent her time adding irrigation lines to new plants and some areas not on irrigation.  She also turned all the compost, and there is fresh material on the tarp. Jane Reukema worked on spreading mulch in the east gardens with Sue Ordway. Sue also did some deadheading and Jane watered new plantings on Sunday. Lori Tamblingson weeded the south inferno and helped Rebecca with the gazebo and lilac. Betty Marcus and Marilynn Van Waggoner watered beds not on irrigation and new plantings. Marilynn also harvested our 1st lettuce crop for the house and some volunteers. Joe Harte continued to work on our trees. Dave and Murphy brought out several residents for long walks. Two of the "Girls for Good' came and fed and provided water for the birds.

New in the garden:
New trellises - one blocks the view of the parking lot from the Rose garden and the other is on the side of the sheds ready for a climber.
Native garden whiskey barrel and Talavera pot with native plants
2 new rock mulch paths - corner of Turquoise and Switzer Canyon, and from the sidewalk to the Rose garden
Red runner beans and clematis on side of shed

New blooms in the garden:
New roses (many blooming), Missouri Evening Primrose, valarian (Moon Garden), bell flower, daylily

Missouri Evening Primrose

Bellflower

"The 'Amen!' of Nature is always a flower." 
-  Oliver Wendell Holmes 

Work for the next few weeks:
*Weeding - the corner ambrosia, north Switzer Canyon bed
Once weeded move rock back onto the corner area
Watering - inside and outside as needed (new plants - or beds not on irrigation)
Plant leftover annuals
*Gather rock for a native garden rock garden, and to line the new path from Switzer to the Rose garden
Fix fencing
Reset bricks under the bench just north of the Faerie Garden
Wash pots

Upcoming:
July 13    9am-5pm     Warner's 10% of Proceeds Day
July 25    9am-12pm   AmeriCorp help for the Thurs. workday

Thanks,
Loni