Submitted by Cristian Badea-Hasa on behalf of the Grounds Committee
Start Gardening Time
Every time I say “spring” after mid-March, snow is there shortly. I put in place a protocol to avoid saying it. First step is replacing the capricious word with “gardening time”.
But, better, let’s start digging! Or, NO DIG, as it is the buzz in the last few years.
More than ten years ago, after many attempts to repair the lawn, I was inspired by a landscaping guy from Oregon. Covered everything with flyers and then mulch. After a while (few years, but gardening takes some patience) mycelium was there and, underneath the wet paper, wonderful, alive soil. Ready for gardening it was.
Yes-yes! But, poor grass ☹… What grass? It is no grass around! Is a mix of stupid genetically modified cereals with very short roots, which do not sequester the carbon dioxide back in the soil. It is a realtor’s marketing scam from about a hundred years ago.
Simply saying: weeds (let them grow and you’ll see).
Slowly gardeners realized that mulching around important plants will help with water retention in the area, obviously preventing some pests coming to the feast (slugs, bugs don’t like “stepping in mulch). Cooling the friendly plant in the summer and a good blanket during the winter. And, yes, fewer weeds.
BIG EVENT: Mulching At Sunnyhill 2021
A garden-size woodchipper was acquired by Grounds. Works fine for up to 1 ½-inch branches, sticks, dried stems. It will be available to book for use in the garage. Because it grinds things it will be locked and some brief training will be provided for safer use.
It’s not only that you get rid of branches but save some bucks for the coop garbage bill. Make some mulch for your use or simply compact the wooden materials for easier disposal.
Coop has large common areas and has lots of trees and bushes. We need lots of mulch and mulching and “mulchers” every gardening season.
TIME: Weekend of June 5th and 6th . Starting time 10 am.
WHO: Everybody is invited to give a hand (or two). Will be a lot of work, but plants will be happy, tidy, hydrated, and grateful.
If you are not into No Dig thing, please notice that any digging happens after calling 811 to locate the possible lines below ground level.
But if you care to see the promoter and teacher of NO DIG way (youtube channel) Charles Dowding, I am positive you will be hooked.
Other news worth mentioning:
Pest Control products are located in the - newly remodeled – shed. Hope you will do not need it, but, wasp spray is in there. If you are afraid or not sure how to use it please email Grounds.
One wheelbarrow is broken. Will purchase a replacement, most likely a lighter model using fiberglass.
Please join the Garden Club.
Next Grounds Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 15 in the Playground area. Please join us and maybe share an idea or two. Or just listen first hand.
Plants are our babies from Mother Nature. Family, eh?
From Grounds, Cristian