Redeemer Community Garden Project

March Madness in the Garden.

2012-03-13T20:19:41Z

Am sure you have ordered your seeds by this time and are anxiously waiting
to get them in the ground!
Thanks to Marion-Polk Food Share and Pringle Creek Community, Redeemer
Community Garden was able to get seeds through the 2nd Annual Seed Exchange
held on February 25th. It was a wonderful time to meet gardeners from other
community gardens and share seeds we had saved along with those donated to
MPFS.

Redeemer Community gardeners will have their first meeting on Saturday,
March 24th, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. We will start seeds in small containers
to let them get "growing" in our personal greenhouses. Mixed greens,
broccoli, cabbage, chard, eggplant, peppers, green onions, tomatoes are
great to start now. Don't forget herbs: basil, chives, cilantro, marjoram,
parsley, rosemary, sage, summer savory, and thyme can be sprouted indoors
too. Can't you just envision and taste your first salad from the garden?

This month: Any breaks in the wet weather give you opportunity to weed and
till. Getting this soil prep work done now, enables you to plant whenever
you want. Postpone it too long, and wet weather or tall weeds can delay
planting for weeks.
Tonja

January 2011: Winter Harvest

2011-02-09T15:11:00Z

A variety of veggies survived freezing weather this winter and we harvested sweet carrots, beets, kohlrabi, little onions, and kale. Mustard, bitter at the end of last summer, sweetened up for a delicious addition. Some of these were started by a MPFS volunteer who was experimenting with starting his plants in soil blocks. They were delivered to the garden and planted the first part of Aug. Had we planted a month earlier we would have had a better harvest of the cabbage, brussels sprouts and broccoli.

May 2010: A Great Start

2010-06-28T19:27:00Z

May 18 was our opening day, during which Redeemer members and some of our gardeners planted seed and plants in the ground. Donations of hundreds of edible plants came from the Marion/Polk Food Share and other individuals. These were shared with our gardeners and planted in Redeemer plots.

A beautiful dedication ceremony was held in the church for the garden on May 23. The potted fig tree has been placed in the garden, near the shed.

The cool rainy weather continued through most of June, keeping some gardeners at bay and plants looking a little peaked. It's truly amazing what this past week of sunshine and warm weather has done for gardeners' spirits and the plants' ability to spring forth new growth.

This past weekend we planted five apple trees, which were donated by Christ the Vine Lutheran Church in Damascus. These trees will be espaliered along the fence adjacent to Lancaster Dr. Fruit will be within reach to share with passersby, as well as with our gardeners and the Food Share. We could still like a few more fruit trees, blueberry bushes, and other edible plants to use as landscape along the south side. Don't forget to vote for us to receive a fruit tree grant at http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index Be sure to follow the directions carefully.

What's Next: Work parties the last Saturday of each month (9-noon). We still need to build compost bins, put a step in front of the shed and plantings around it, and cover those weeds on the south side with chips. Everyone is welcome!

Successful May 8 Work Party

2010-05-10T16:00:00Z

Twenty-five people dug in to spread compost, rototill, lay irrigation, and move a garden shed in the Community Garden on Saturday. It was a beautiful, summer-like day and we could invision a garden full of good food to come. It was amazing how much was accomplished.

Jordan from Marion/Polk Food share will bring out a tractor/tiller to finish up our tilling. We still have chips to spread on the paths, the last faucet to install on the water system, and the shed foundation to stabilize. Some of this may happen on Sat. 5/15. The tilling and irrigation work are critical to growing food and should be our priority. Volunteers will be welcomed and greatly apprecated.

Starting Seed for our Garden

2010-04-29T17:15:00Z

PLANTING DAY: Saturday May 15. 10:00 AM
We will begin with seed starts that have been planted in the greenouses of Mike from Peace Lutheran, Tonja and myself from Redeemer, and the Marion Polk Food Share at Pringle Creek Community greenhouses. Starts will be planted in Redeemer's plots with plenty of extras on hand to give to our gardeners.

Watch the Video of seed planting work party at Pringle Creek Greenhouses.

4/22/2010 Update & Meeting

2010-04-23T01:14:00Z

I should be thankful for all the little stumbling blocks that come our way. They are gentle reminders to keep this process in prayer and put it in God's hands. The compost and rototilling worries are over. The rest of our compost is being donated; David will be available to pick it up; Dan is back and able to spread it AND till it in for us; and Don is recovering well from his surgery.

Next - we need donations of about 40 yds. of chips, by May 8, to cover the pathways...

Next Meetings for Garden Committee:
Thur. April 29, 3:30 - Work Party Details
Tues. May 11, 3:30 - Plan the Dedication Ceremony

Plots Now Available

2010-04-13T06:03:16Z

Applications are now being accepted for plots in the Redeemer Community Garden - Opening May 15.

As this is our first year, there will be things to work out, but we look forward to offering space and gardening together. There will be a total of 30 plots, each 6 ft. x 24 ft. We are offering one plot per household for non-commercial use. Water and hoses will be available on-site. Some tools may also be available, but it is recommended you bring your own.

2010 Application and Rules

View Map

Please understand the rules, then return a signed copy with the $25 non-refundable annual fee to: Redeemer Lutheran Church, 4663 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem OR 97305
Check should be written out to: Redeemer Lutheran Church
Keep a copy of the rules for yourself. Plots will be assigned in the order that applications are received.

Work Party on May 8

2010-04-13T05:35:00Z

An 'everyone's invited' WORK PARTY is planned for Sat. May 8, 9-12:00 and 1-4:00. Work will include:

*Measure & stake plots
*Make numbered plot markers (any creative ideas here - lath with painted numbers??? )
*Rake composted soil from pathways into plots
*Spread chips on pathways
*Move garden shed from behind Head Start bldgs. into garden - may involve opening up a portion of the cyclone fence.
*Serve refreshments
*Take digital pictures
*Repair & paint tools (we have 3 donated rakes and a hoe so far)
*Install the water supply line
*Build Compost Bin

We hope to see you there. If you would like to bring garden tools, wheelbarrow, etc. please do - we'll mark them for you so you can find them to take home.

4/12/2010 Update: Compost

2010-04-13T05:34:25Z

Dan has to go out of town and won't have time to move the 20 yds. we have. If there is anyone out there who can bring in a tractor with a scoop and do a relatively simple job for us, it would be greately appreciated. Please add a comment if you can. Thank you.

4/11/2010 Update: Compost

2010-04-12T00:24:00Z

A 2nd load of compost was delivered just inside the gate - we'll need to move it so we can bring more in. Don, from St. John's, had volunteered to do this but is now recovering from heart surgery. Lorene then generously volunteered her son, Dan, to move and spread what we have. Another blessing come our way. Keep Don in your prayers, for healing and return of strength.

The remaining compost allocated to the MPFS community gardens, was taken by someone from another new garden. That puts us, and others, in a position of having to purchase, or do without. Hopefully, Jordan can work out something with the County so we can still get the remaining 4 loads that had been allocated to us. Stay tuned for the next chapter on compost.

3/11/2010 Update: Compost

2010-03-12T06:01:00Z

We've been so anxious for an opportunity to get compost spread on the garden.
We brought in the first 10 yards....

Then got stuck in wet soil with bald tires.....

But David, Judy and Jason are the most resourceful people on Earth. They found some old roofing material, grabbed their shovel, and got the job done. Now we'll have to wait patiently for the ground to dry a bit for the next five loads. Patience is the Spiritual fruit that must grow on it's own time (just hurry up Spring!!)

March 2 Update

2010-03-02T18:55:00Z

A revised application and agreement will be sent out soon for committee's review.
OCDC requests 5 plots for their families.
We have a couple folks who are interested in starting seeds for us in their hobby greenhouses.
Grant requests have been submitted to Lee Valley Tools, Mantis, Fruit Tree Planting Foundation and Peacefull Valley Seed.

Next meeting: Wed. March 10 at 3:30
Discuss: Work Party (compost, chips, shed, irrigation), greenhouse starts.

Grassbusters!

Fruit Trees in our Garden?

2010-02-23T16:44:00Z

Beginning March 15, you will have an opportunity each day to vote for Redeemer Community Garden as your choice for the recipient of fruit trees from the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation at http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/

Next Garden Committee Meeting

2010-02-15T16:39:00Z

Wed., Feb. 24, 4:00.

Next Garden Committee Meeting

2010-01-20T19:14:00Z

Thur., January 28, 3:30 in the Library
AGENDA: Update of Activities, Assign Tasks, Goals& Budget

Next Garden Committee Meeting

2010-01-08T18:11:00Z

Wed., January 13, 3:30 in the Library.

Welcome

2010-01-07T04:15:32Z

Welcome to the Redeemer Lutheran Church Community Garden Project. The Redeemer Community Garden connects people through the joy of growing fresh nutritious food. Together we will learn to care for the land entrusted to us through environmentally sustainable ways which are pleasing to God and all His creation.

Residents within close proximity of Redeemer will be allotted space to grow and harvest food for non-commercial use. Initially, plots will be laid out within a space of approximately 100’ x 100’. A few plots will be reserved for Redeemer members and Preschool as needed, one for food bank donations, and one for the Garden Committee as a Redeemer CSA-type fund raiser (community supported agriculture).

Consideration will also be made for handicap-accessible raised beds. When the garden is established and operating smoothly, expansion will be considered as needed.

Please check back soon for new entries.