Workweek 6/24 & 6/27

On Monday with 4 volunteers in the garden we got many tasks done. Betty Marcus watered all the areas not on irrigation. Julie Holmes, Carol Hudenko and I worked on the corner in some nice cool weather. Betty actually got cold during the break and sat in the sun. The 3 of us weeded and cleared pine needles from the corner garden. We actually ended up with 10 bags of pine needles and probably will have 10 more on Thursday. The pine needles haven't been cleared from there in a couple of years. Once the worst is cleared we will put the rock back in place on the corner, and plant/transplant some perennials there.

I have talked with Jean Hockman about doing a Saturday garden tour this summer. We will be doing it on Saturday, August 17th at 10am. Anyone who wants to help do tours and just host is welcome.  In the meantime we still have work to do to get some of the new areas up to par for a tour. I will talk with Judith Chaddock about some options for a potluck at her home and beautiful garden sometime in August. Since it is my last year, I thought we would do it in August while some of the out of town people are still here. We may do a 2nd potluck in September and invite the HodgePodge crew. They wanted to be part of my last season, and several of the crew there help us frequently - picking up new purchases, and hauling off our bags when we have too many, and finding garden materials for us.

Wow! On Thursday we had another busy day in the garden. Most of the volunteers who came (many early to avoid the heat) worked on the corner. Sue Ordway, Rebecca Davis, Judith Chaddock, Leslie Stone, Carol Hudenko, Becky Lewis, Jane Reukema, Joe Harte, Whitney Fessler, and myself all spent part of their time working on cleaning up the corner. We also have a new volunteer - Cyndy Crowley . Weeds, sprayed on duff, and pine needles were removed and bagged. Rock was placed over the corner area and Joe trimmed dead branches off the pine trees. The corner is almost unrecognizable with its new pathway.

Cleaned-up corner on Turquoise and Switzer Canyon

Betty Marcus and Marilyn VanWaggoner watered those beds not on irrigation and new plantings, and Judith watered indoors. Becky Lewis dug up a rose to root that was growing in the middle of a lavender. Carol Lease worked on the arbor entry. She put in 12 inch pvc pipe to place the fences in so that irrigation will not be effected when they are removed in the winter.

PVC at bottom of fencing to use as a guide for placing.

Whitney found time to wash all our pots and put them away. Judith provided the snack today and brought fruit bars which really hit the spot as the temperatures climbed. Dave and Murphy were out with several residents checking out the new blooms and work in the garden. Hattie Braun stopped by to see our progress with the roses.

"No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, no culture comparable to that of the garden ... But though an old man, I am but a young gardener."
-  Thomas Jefferson, Garden Book, 1811 

New Blooms:
Many daylilies, lavendar, roses (including Ketchup/Mustard), some of our shasta daisy and ox-eyed daisy, and coreopsis. Several shrubs are blooming or ready to burst - Mt. Spray, Little Leaf Mock Orange, the Twin-flower Snowberry, and the Apache Plume

Little Leaf Mock Orange

Daylilies

New in the Garden:
A revamped corner on Turquoise and Switzer
Honeysuckle vines on the new trellises

Work for the next few weeks:
Watering - inside and outside as needed (new plants - or beds not on irrigation)
Weeding - north Switzer bed
*Add some plants to the corner bed
*Irrigation - continue adding areas not on the system
*Gather rock for a native garden rock garden, and to line the new path from Switzer to the Rose garden
     Once created, fill with soil/compost, and transplant some plants from other areas of the garden
Cut down 1 more lilac
Transplant some blood grass
Reset bricks under the bench just north of the Faerie Garden
Upcoming - 2nd feed for the roses

Upcoming:
July 13    9am-5pm     Warner's 10% of Proceeds Day
July 25    9am-12pm   AmeriCorp help for the Thurs. workday
August 17 10am-12pm  Flagstaff Garden Club Tour

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

Workweek from 6/10/-6/15

On Monday, Nancy and Bruce Palmer began creating a sandstone pad for the new bench in the north Native Garden. They used all the leftover sandstone that Diana Watt had donated last year. They will return on Thursday to finish it. Betty Marcus came and watered all areas not on the drip system. Julie Holmes worked on removing bell flower from many of the rose garden roses. I spent my time watering and putting in a few new plants. Dave and Murphy were out in the garden with many residents. We picked our first strawberries and shared them with residents.

Wow! a fabulous workday on Thursday. We had about 16 people working in the garden and other visitors who came to hear Dorothy Lamm talk about and identify weeds from their gardens. Linda Guarino arrived early and got Rebecca Davis to help her check irrigation emitters in many of the gardens. She also turned on the front 1/2 circle irrigation for just 15 minutes and there seemed to be no major leaks. After that she began adding emitters to some of our new plantings throughout the garden. If you see anything missing let Linda know for next Thursdays workday. Rebecca also managed to plant 2 shrubs and joined the weeding party north of the house. They (Dorothy Lamm, Chela and Peggy Scurlock, and Sue Ordway) removed Dalmation Toadflax, jointed goat grass, cheat grass, and squirrel tail grass abundant on the property just adjacent to ours. Nancy and Bruce Palmer toiled for some time in the heat and finished the sandstone pad for the bench in the Native Garden. Betty Marcus came early and watered many of the beds not on irrigation. Marilyn VanWaggoner helped water the north front of the house. Becky Lewis continued her work on roses. Some needed an additional Neem oil treatement, and some needed plants cleared from under them. Leslie Stone planted a Rugosa Rose. She actually had to dig 2 holes as the first one had a huge rock at the bottom. She also moved the stone bench that had become lost under the 1st tree we planted in the garden in 2004 (a blue spruce). Crys Wells moved a cluster of allium that was in the area where the new trellises will be put in on Saturday and Monday. Jane Reukema cleaned out our greenhouse, now that all hard scape has been put in the garden. Joe Harte trimmed a few tree branches and suckers. One of the "Girls for Good" came and filled bird feeders and cleaned and filled bird baths. Yvonne Chavez our new volunteer coordinator and Carol Lease came to hear the weed talk. One of the caregivers came out and cut lettuce for lunch for the residents. As usual Dave and Murphy joined us with several residents in the garden.

"To resist the frigidity of old age, one must combine the body, the mind, and the heart.  And to keep these in parallel vigor one must exercise, study, and love." 
-   Alan Bleasdale

Joe Harte found an interesting bug on our walnut tree. It was later identified as most likely a spittle bug. It can be washed off branches and should not harm the tree. It can deform branches if left on. Check out this site for a photo. http://bugguide.net/node/view/403690

On Saturday, we had a large crew of scouts in the garden. I counted at least 15 and there were probably more, from the ages of 4 on up. Carson Stone, an Eagle scout and his family, Boy Scout troop, and friends came to begin putting up some trellises in the garden. One is to block the view of the parking lot from the garden and the other along side the shed for climbing plants. As you can see this is a nice place to sit and view the Rose Garden and gazebo. The bench that Diana refinished is now part of the area. The crew dug holes for the posts with and auger and by hand, cemented in the bases, and then found time to help gather rocks to line a trail for the corner. That project will be done next week by another Eagle scout. The day had the feel of an old fashioned barn raising, with all working hard but enjoying themselves. The trellises were raised on Monday evening - come check them out.

Carson Stone - his family and friend.

New in the garden:
Sandstone pad in the Native Garden created by the Palmers, and a whiskey barrel pot with natives
More sandstone for a walkway between the Rose Garden and Switzer sidewalk donated by Diana Watt
3 new shrubs (Rugosa Rose, Apache Plume, and Elderberry)
A clean greenhouse - yeah! Thanks to Jane Reukema
New rose off the patio - Yellow Sunsprite - family donation

New blooms in the garden:
Peony, more iris, more clematis, ox-eyed daisy, day lily, the Purple Robina tree, and New Mexican locust
"The 'Amen!' of Nature is always a flower." 
-  Oliver Wendell Holmes 

   
Photos by Betty Marcus

Ready to pick this week:
Spinach, lettuce, mustard, and some kale

Work for the next few weeks:
Weeding - bed south of gazebo, including removing woods rose, the corner ambrosia, and bell flower incroaching on roses
Watering - inside and outside as needed
Plant up leftover annuals and perennials
Continue creating a new area in the native garden including gathering rock for a rock garden, and planting some pots.
Clean gazebo area (seedlings in bricks, bird droppings, etc.)
Adjust fencing at garden entrance
Reset bricks under the bench just north of the Faerie Garden
Resand the north patio
Wash pots

Upcoming:
June 15   9am-12pm    Monthly Saturday Workday
                                   Scout Trellis Project
June 20   9am - till       Scout Pathway Project
July 13    9am-5pm     Warner's 10% of Proceeds Day
July 25    9am-12pm   AmeriCorp help for the Thurs. workday

Thanks for all the help this week.

Loni

Workdays Week of 6/2 - 6/6

Sunday was the CMGA Plant and Garden Re-Sale. Marilynn VanWaggoner and I sat at a table there and raised money for the garden by selling jewelry, cards, and lavender.  We made over $150, but we still have many earrings and bracelets left. If you can think of a place for selling them let me know.

Monday brought a small crew to the garden. Betty Marcus watered many of the areas not on irrigation and some of our vegetables. Leslie Stone and Carol Hudenko finished caring for the roses and went to the office to plant some outside pots. Joe Harte came with Pesha and trimmed trees and shrubs. He also removed the dead Mt. Ash from the inferno strip. I moved some herbs out of the sun room into sensory pots, and planted some new purchases there. Most of the 4 pots are filled. The Hopi corn and beans are beginning to appear above ground and squash has been added to the bed (Hubbard, crookneck, zucchini, and acorn).

On Thursday we had a small crew but manged to get many things done. Carol Lease returned for the season and spent her time repairing the entrance walk into the garden. Katarina Karjala finished planting pots in front of the house and watered. Judith Chaddock watered indoors and brought out all the geraniums from the sunroom. Whitney Fessler watered some of our more thirsty new plantings in back of the house and filled bird feeders. Jane Reukema worked on removing Wood's Rose from the bed just south of the gazebo, Betty Marcus watered. I spent my time planting a few plants, getting out the teapots, and cutting up a dead tree. Where is Louie the lumberjack when you need him.

Blooming in the garden:
Several clematis -----

More colorful iris -----

Austrian Copper Rose with yellow and copper

Also blooming peony, Korean lilac,
Photos by Betty Marcus

New in the garden:
Large backup generator (just north of the sunroom)

Ready to pick this week:
Spinach, mustard, and some kale

Work for the next few weeks:
Weeding - bed south of gazebo, including removing woods rose
Watering - inside and outside as needed
Plant up leftover annuals and perennials
Check irrigation placement and function
Plant 2 shrubs - Elderberry and Apache Plume
Begin creating a new area in the native garden, including moving sandstone for a pathway, gathering rock for a rock garden.
Clean gazebo area (seedlings in bricks, bird droppings, etc.)
Adjust fencing and walkway (sandstone entrance)
Resand the north patio
Move a cement bench from under a tree off the back patio
Wash pots
Clean greenhouse

Upcoming:
June 13  1015am        Noxious Weeds in Switzer Canyon - Dorothy Lamm
"Our attitude towards plants is a singularly narrow one.  If we see any immediate utility in a plant we foster it.  If for any reason we find its presence undesirable or merely a matter of indifference, we may condemn it to destruction forthwith."
-  Rachel Carson 

June 15  9am-12pm    Monthly Saturday Workday
                                   Scout Trellis Project
June 20 9am - till         Scout Pathway Project
July 13    9am-5pm     Warner's 10% of Proceeds Day
July 25    9am-12pm   AmeriCorp help for the Thurs. workday

Hope to see you next week!

Loni