Community Garden Update

Our garden is getting so much produce that we had to expand it! Don't worry residents, next year we'll probably be adding another plot to it so everyone can get their stuff in.

 We've got some baby tomatoes growing.

 Massive heads of lettuce

 Basil for days

 Our bell peppers are starting to peek through

 The far leaves are squash and zucchini, the middle is arugula and the closest is spinach

 ...like I said, we may need more land next year.

Community Garden Update!

Well our garden has had so much stuff planted in it we've had to till some extra land! Here's what's growing in our garden:

       

What did you plant this year? And how's it growing?

Community Garden Update

Hey folks! I hope you all had a great weekend! It rained a lot here in Louisville, which was perfect for our community garden. More and more people are planting things in it. We've got onions, carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes, and tons of herbs.

      

What are you planting in your garden this year? And do you have any tips for us?

How does your garden grow?

Have you started your garden this year? Our wonderful maintenance staff tilled our community garden this week so we've had a few people start planting (including myself).

So far we have cucumbers and tomatoes poking out of the ground, and some onions and carrots have been planted.

I have even started my bell peppers inside which is a new venture for me.

There are a ton of places on the internet that you can find to give you good tips on your garden. I use sproutrobot.com (the free version). You can type in your zip code and it will let you know the best time to plant your seeds. This week (if you're in the 40299 zip code) it would be good to start planting your cabbage, chard, turnips, or start your eggplant inside.

Here are some more tips that you can use around the garden:

-Use leftover tea and coffee grounds to acidify the soil of acid-loving plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, gardenias and even blueberries. A light sprinkling of about one-quarter of an inch applied once a month will keep the pH of the soil on the acidic side.

-Vegetables need lots of water, at least 1 inch of water a week.

-Here are the essentials for tools: spade, garden fork, soaking hose, hoe, hand weeder, and wheelbarrow (or bucket) for moving around mulch or soil. It's worth paying a bit extra for quality tools.

-Don't grow too much of one thing. Growing more would be a waste of time, space and precious soil resources. Unless you sell at a farmers market stand, aim to grow only as much as you can use.

-Aim to harvest in the morning, which is when plants are plumped up with nutrients and moisture. Preserve the flavor and nutrition of leafy greens, root crops and many other vegetables by refrigerating them, but don’t chill storage onions, sweet potatoes, shallots or tomatoes. 

-Harvesting early and often helps keep vegetable plants in reproduction mode longer, which in turn increases yields.

If you have any tips, feel free to share with us! And also, let us know how your crops are going!