Tuesday, August 17, 2010

The little yellow wagon

When we wrote the grant that funded our garden (Thank you, again, Women in Philanthropy!) we included the cost of a garden cart because it seemed like a good, practical thing to have.  We had no idea!

Our cart came from Lowes and it was exactly what we were looking for.  It has four nice, fat tires, and a flatbed with sides that can fold down if necessary.  It's been great!  I used it again today as I unloaded the pavers that will support our water reclaim barrels.   They're heavy but the cart handled 'em easily. (I, on the other hand felt a little like a mule as I dragged the cart behind me up this tiny hill we have. Sad.)

Why am I singing the praises of this little cart? On the very day I purchased it another group (Thank you, Fort Gorden Service Club!)  donated $1,000 worth of paper supplies. That's a lot of paper towels, diapers and toilet paper to carry from our lobby to our storage shed. But not for our cart!  All summer I've seen residents and staff alike dragging all manner of items around in that cart.  Sometimes a mom would put a kid or two in there just for fun.  Or, after graduation, several residents used it to truck things from their apartments to a waiting vehicle.  Our handyman uses it all the time.  Several delivery men have made good use of it. Of course, every time I get new plants, or other garden items, they go right into the cart and I pull it along behind me instead of having the carry stuff in my arms.  It gets so well used I don't even put it in our shed - I just leave it out so folks can get to it. 

The garden has given us so much that has nothing to do with produce.  We learned a lot (but that's another post) and we've enjoyed so many simple things, like watching our refuse and clippings turn into rich compost, or putting vases of fresh herbs out at meetings and hearing people say, "What's that wonderful smell?"  And yes, like watching people use a good, solid tool. Our little yellow cart is well appreciated!  

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

How time flies...

It seems like only yesterday when I was so anxious to get the garden started.  As we had to wait for funds to be made available we got some things in the ground a little late.  Now, I'm looking toward the garden change-out which will take place here at Hope House on August 14th. We've organized a garden club among the residents and they will wield - not rake and hoe, but roller and brush - all to paint our lovely new greenhouse shed.  At the same time, the Citizens of Georgia Power, a wonderful volunteer group, will help in getting the garden ready for fall.

Now I confess, it doesn't feel anything like fall around here: temps are in the upper 90s-100 degree range, humidity is high, the sun is brutal.  Still, the garden needs work.  We've discovered that just one to two beds in height is enough for what we grow.  As an experiment we had two beds that were about waist-high.  We'll break those down and the benefit will be more, if lower, beds.  I have to talk with my garden experts about what I can plant now.  I know what the charts say but it is so hot it may be worth waiting a couple of weeks to plant the cooler weather plants. I just don't know.

This is our latest crop.  I planted a white-skinned cucumber that is mild in taste and gives large fruit.  We all sampled it today in the office and then I gave a large bag to the ladies.  Must go find some good cucumber recipes for them!