We Done Dug It!

Starting closest to the road

We hit pay dirt almost immediately!

Moving right along.

The weather was hot but not broiling, making it a perfect day for a great team to do a tough task. Sue and Bill Kleppinger, Josh Marlan, Pete & Mary Alice Steurer, Randi Goodnight, Dani Waters, Irma Allison and Sharon Willen were a coordinated and effective team. Some identified the row hills, zeroed in on tubers, cut vines and harvested, while others ran the produce back to the sorting area and the trash to the brush and bags for disposal.

Finding

Exposing

Harvesting

Whew!

By the time we got almost to the top of the sweet potato garden, we had smiles on our faces. Nothing left to do but sort and divide a healthy harvest.

Almost Done!

What a Haul!

Select this link to see how

 Dazzling Cooperation Makes Easy Work

We pulled 157 pounds of sweet potatoes. Not up to last year's 250 pounds, but much more than we anticipated. You can re-read the last post on how to cure and store. We're told the vole damaged spots on the potatoes will heal and they can be stored, cooked, and eaten. If you choose, you may cut away some areas close to damaged spots, but only just before using the potatoes. Right now, the less handling, the better.

I believe MaryAlice is delivering a box to Al & Joyce, Irma took Ashley and John's, and the boxes for Terri & Doug, Irv and Su, and JoAnne & Burt are on the Willen's front porch. Enjoy! See you on the 27th at the Jordans' for a 5 PM Harvest Potluck.

A Bountiful Year

How did our garden grow in 2015?

We picked zucchini and yellow crook neck till we ran out of recipes. Likewise, we could hardly keep up with the pole beans, in spite of the usual cast of insect predators. We boiled, pickled, roasted, and froze beets, then planted a second crop.

Never tasted cucumbers as good as those we grew this year - thin skinned, sweet, and crunchy. Yum! The bell peppers seemed to have come to us with an ingrown disease, but with the able care of the Harris family, we were able to harvest some. The jalapeño and banana peppers took in the sun and produced the heat.

The okra also did well and we learned how to make spicy fried okra poppers. Double yum!

We're still waiting with fingers crossed for the sweet potato harvest (late September, early October, just before first frost). Hoping the deer, rabbits, moles and all other varmints stay the heck away from our tasty tubers.

And did I mention flowers? Flowers graced our sign (thanks to Su Snyder). But the ones that attracted most attention were those in the gardens closest to the road (Su's and Ashley's) as well as Catherine's sunflowers in a spritely line at the back of the garden.

Last but certainly not least, tomatoes! Having decided not to risk the variables of weather to grow tomatoes as a community crop, each of our gardeners individually couldn't resist the urge. We wound up with tomatoes here, there, and everywhere. A carload and a half - what a year for 'maters!!!

Once again the High Vista Community Garden fed 22 families and donated about 200 pounds of produce to local food banks. Except for the sweet potato harvest, we're pretty much down to dreaming of next year - except for a gleaning and cleaning.

2015 - A bountiful year leaves us filled with gratitude.

Fully Committed - June 3, 2015

Thanks to the amazing folks who worked on their hands and knees for some hours over the weekend removing weeds, rock, and clods of grass from the waiting sweet potato hills, today's planting of the slips was a breeze.

Karen & MA with the sweet potato slips

We had so many early volunteers that the work was finished by the time the latecomers arrived, and they weren't really that late (no one was docked). Everyone helped give the new plants a dose of water from the barrel, though the good soaking from yesterday's storm made my boots go schlurp, schlurp with every muddy step.

All our community crops and individual gardens look to be planted - now it's a matter of keeping ahead of the weeds and the bugs. We stand ready to water, but we're counting on the blessing of ample rain and abundant sunshine - all in the right proportions at just the right time in the season.

June 2, 2015

June 2, 2015

Blessings for Our Garden

Every single time it happens, I'm amazed when a seed pushes through the dirt, drinks in drops of water, reaches for the sun, and emerges as a stem, pre-leaves, then leaves, vines, flowers, and glory. I once heard this wise question, "If you came upon a watch laying in the road and it was keeping perfect time, tick tock, tick tock, would you for one second doubt the existence of a watchmaker? Who is the maker behind the bounty of our natural world? Aah, that's the mystery of life, beyond our knowing. But not beyond our appreciation.



Without naming the source of love and wisdom that is providing us the resources and strength and camaraderie to build our garden, we offered our thanks this past Saturday morning. Susan Marlan's inspirational words helped us connect with the spirit of new beginnings as we planted our garden sign and moved forward.

Thanks to Doug Harris for crafting the sign, Su Snyder for painting it, and Jim Goodnight with a little help from Mike Willen for erecting it so people zipping by on Rte. 191 will now know whose little farm is growing. A special thanks to NC Mountain Realty for allowing us to grow in their front yard.

Our Little Acre - well, almost

I don't know anyone that has participated in our High Vista Community Garden to date who isn't having a good time. It is so pleasant to chat while bumping shoulders at ground level. The warm sun, the birds singing. IMHO, the only thing that could be better is if the traffic would halt on Rte. 191 while we're down in the garden, but then all those passers-by wouldn't be benefitting from the lesson of what can be done through a bit of teamwork.

Here are pictures from Sue Kleppinger (of early work on the garden, May 6) and some from Sharon Willen of major planting taking place on May 16. All our community crops are now in the ground except for the sweet potatoes. Karen Donde has agreed to lead that team once we get the call from Jesse Israel Nursery that the slips are in. We hope to bring home 150. Be prepared for another fun day playing in the dirt!

Preparing Sweet Potato Rows

Long shot of the naked garden 

Jerry, Josh, Doug, Mike & Cathy arrive for work

Al points the way

A two-fisted waterer

Bill gets a kick out of being in the dirt

Joyce waters in her garden

Sue and Bill working on community peppers

Mary Alice, Judy, Cathy

Not a shirker in the group

Sue Marlan inspects her work

Peter inspects Mary Alice's work

Terri is queen of the bell (peppers)

May 1, 2015 Update - The Season Begins

Early Harvest-wild onion

New members and "old" members worked together in the garden this morning for about two hours. Using a garden plan Sharon developed based upon the layout team's strategy, the outline of the 2015 High Vista Community Garden has now taken shape.

Al and Joyce, Randi, Catherine & Jerry, Sue K., Mary Alice & Peter, and Mike and Sharon braved a looming storm and high wind to measure, calculate, drive in stakes, string guidelines, and post flags that delineate garden beds and walkways. Once again, the value of many eyes, brains, and hands (plus two 100' measuring tapes, four scissors, and two mallets) got the job done with optimal results two whole weeks before the date of the last threat of frost in Western North Carolina.

2014 Community Garden Takes Shape

Thanks to NC Mountain Realty the High Vista Community Garden Has a Home

Harry Moody Works His Magic

And the 2014 Garden Takes Shape

Pete marks the walkways

After a year without a home, the High Vista Community Garden returns in 2014, right outside our front gate. Thank you, NC Mountain Realty Group for being a good neighbor interested in growing community and sustainability.

You can see in these photos that the land we've been loaned for this year is not perfectly level, there is one shade tree, and a main road is in shouting distance. Gardening here will be a different experience from the idyllic setting of our last garden. Still, the 2014 group represents fifteen families and we expect to grow, learn, and have fun—just as we always have.

The plowed parcel needs to sit about two weeks, to give the grass clumps time to decompose. Our water source remains uncertain, but Jim Goodnight and Pete Steurer are working hard to determine if the old pump house nearby can be brought back to life within that time. If not, we will use a hose to fill two water barrels with NCMR's water when needed.

Next steps: spreading lime, marking the crop areas, building mounds for the squash, erecting bean structures, buying plants, planting, watering, weeding, watching for insects and varmints, and enjoying the fruit of our labor. You know what I always say, "Give Peas a Chance!"

The Garden is Open

On Saturday, April 28, Susan Marlan officiated at our opening ceremonies, held in the High Vista Community Park (by the tennis courts). A joyous crowd gathered under the sun and trees and were treated to a meaningful and optimistic invocation, accompanied by birdsongs. Thank you so much, Susan.

For professional services, contact Susan at yourwed@interfaithceremonies.com

After Q& A and announcements, many of us carpooled down to the garden, found our allotted spots and planted our identifying flags. Such creativity in our group.

Very creative Georgia!

The Lewis family made the most of the day

and added a lot to our overall experience (no pun intended)

Anyone up for spearheading a children's garden area? 

Thanks to Mike for organizing our garden space this year

We planted signs and the Denisons even planted broccoli - Way to go! The first new starts for this season.

And now for some worthwhile information:

Our manual pump - protected from the elements.
Be sure to add to the water barrel when you take from it.

The pump is securely installed, filled watering cans are available. Thanks Al and Peter for your efforts on this.


Pete will be offering an organic pest control workshop, 10 - 11 a.m. next Saturday, May 5, at the garden. Jerry Jordan has volunteered to videotape it, and Sharon will post it to YouTube, but there is nothing that compares with being there in person and having your questions answered in the moment.


Sharon is creating a "vacation schedule" to circulate, so we know when to look out for one another's gardens. If you want your garden added to the "watch list", send an e-mail with your vacation dates in the subject line to highvistagardeners@gmail.com. There is likely to be extra space in the garden; if you need any, let Sharon know.


Please take a look at the watch list when it is circulated and let a fellow gardener know that you are going to be able to tend their crop one or more days while they are away. 


Since we're using a buddy system also for everyday tasks, as Mike Pace requested, it is worthwhile to remember that Lexi Kiefer will be gardening on Tuesday and Thursday mornings with her garden partner, Don Kirkwood, who is an experienced organic gardener willing to share his knowledge.


Winter squash and sweet potatoes will not be a community crop. Sharon and Susan Marlan have decided to plant some. Al Cutter has asked to help and share the harvest of sweet potatoes and Irma Allison has asked to share in the winter squash. If you have not yet spoken up to share this space, now is the time, not later.


Be prepared to watch as a "three sisters experimental garden" goes in and goes up near the corn crop.


Sharon has some grape tomato seedlings, up for grabs. They were grown in a greenhouse by a friend in New York and lovingly transported and tended in her sunroom since Easter. You can find them in the garden Tuesday, May 8 (primary election day), probably placed by the pump. First come, first served. 


Here are some tips for planting tomatoes, shared by Janet Gardner, coordinator of the Bountiful Harvest Community Garden in Hendersonville. According to the weather forecast, the nighttime temps won't be below 50 degrees for the next ten days, so she's determined it's safe to plant. 

Garden tips:  Planting tomatoes - Transplants of all sizes and varieties are available now in nurseries and big box stores everywhere.  It is tempting to spend the extra money for larger plants, many already with small fruit.  However, these hothouse beauties when planted out in your garden often go into plant shock which causes arrested growth and abortion of fruit.  Better to go with smaller, stockier plants no taller than 6".  Plant these deeply, up to the first set of leaves, about 16" apart.   Keep well watered for the first week or so, then hold back the water a bit.  The idea is to make the plant roots grow down for moisture.  In times of heat and drought later, your plant will be better suited for survival with a strong, deep root system.  When planting try not to disturb the roots if possible.  For transplants in plastic pots, place your hand over the top of the pot with the tomato stem between your fingers.  Gently tap the plant loose and plant in the ground immediately.  For the tomatoes in either peat or plantable pots (including my paper pots) put the whole thing in the ground as is.  Just be sure all of the pot is below the surface to avoid the pot wicking moisture out.

Garden wisdom:  There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling.  ~Mirabel Osler

Our collective sentiments

Calendar of Upcoming Transition Hendersonville Events

Monday, April 30, 10am-11am. NEW GARDEN GROUP FORMING ~ Henderson County Cooperative Extension.  

We are forming an informal group of local gardeners - both experienced and inexperienced, even gardener wannabes – who will meet once a month to share gardening experiences, tips, seeds and local challenges and quirks about growing, preserving and selling food in the Hendersonville area.  We invite you to join us and your neighbors whether you have several acres, a suburban plot or just one tomato plant in a patio container, growing even a part of your own food is fun, rewarding and so empowering.

Please call or email with questions. Janet Gardner luvs2garden@att.net (828) 974-1782



Saturday, May 5^th, 2012 5-7 pm, May Tree Dance, Full Moon Sacred Circle Dance the merry merry month of May in the springtime of the year with flowers & ribbons in our hair in doors and out!  at Dancing Feete  dance studio, Singleton Centre across from the post office, 2682 B Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock, NC., $10 per person, RSVP TarletonBrooks@yahoo.com only if you are coming www.thedancingcircle.info 828 – 699 – 0240


Saturday, May 12, Sustainable Living Workshop:  Compost!
9:30AM-12:30PM,  Coop. Extension, Jackson Park
Learn the basics of composting and go home with a worm bin including ½ pound of red wigglers.  Composting lecture 9:30 to 11:00 and Worm Bin workshop at 11.  Lecture $10 or lecture and w-shop $25. (Sharon Willen is attending both. Contact her if you want to go together.)


Saturday, May 19, Sustainable Living Workshop: Water Rams.  10:00 a.m. – Noon. ECO Conference Room Learn how these simple hydraulic pumps that have been used for over 100 years in WNC work and buy one for your household.  Program fee $15.

Sunday, May 20, all are invited to join in a Slow Food Foothills aka “Slow Polks,” fundraiser at Overmountain Vineyards & Winery from 4-8 pm. Come for an evening to enjoy local wine, seasonal food & Americana music. Tickets for the event are available on Brown Paper Tickets. Cost for the event is $25 for adults, $10 for children ages 3-13.


Overmountain Vineyards & Winery is nestled at the gateway of the Blue Ridge Parkway on 75 beautiful acres. Originally a tobacco and cotton farm in the 1920′s and 30′s, the land was purchased in the early 1990′s, and has now returned to its roots.  Overmountain Vineyards was established in 2002 as a commercial vineyard in the Tryon Foothills of North Carolina. They are recognized as one of North Carolina’s signature vineyards and wineries.


Stone Soup Restaurant is also located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and owned by Suzanne Strickland. Suzanne named the restaurant after the fairy tale which is a story of a community coming together. She thought it was a perfect name for a restaurant that she hoped would become a gathering place for the community and it has! Stone Soup will be catering the May fundraiser with a seasonal, casual buffet highlighting local food.


Entertainment will be provided by Gigi Dover and her band, The Big Love. The Big Love is primarily the creative partnership of singer/songwriter and guitarist Dover and multi- instrumentalist / magician Eric Lovell, whose bag of tricks includes vocals, guitar, pedal steel, sitar, tambura, melodica, ukulele, mandolin, even a glockenspiel. Together they weave a dreamy, quirky path that trips through styles, sounds and genres. It’s a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll and a whole lotta groovy, soulful, and funky fun. Their new CD is expected to be released on April 20. The media sponsor is WNCW our local public radio station. 


In addition, a silent auction will be on site. For more information about Slow Food Foothills, contact Carol Lynn or Mindy Wiener.