Folks,
Most of the work done on the Green Team this spring and summer has been with the Greenhouse. Even though we often have over 100 tomatoes on the vine, they have not ripened as fast as I thought they would. When ones have turned red, I have taken them to the church and put them on the counter at the receptionist's desk. I really had hoped the Roma tomatoes would ripen all at once and we could can them for future use, but not yet. Here is a photo of the ones I harvested this week.
Now this is not a huge basket and the harvest is small. I lost about 8 this week to a mouse that I cannot seem to catch. I thought squirrels were getting in but I blocked all possible access points. I put in 3 mouse traps but none were caught and all had cheese removed and were trap opened. Either smart mice or medium rat. They may live in there. Ideas folks? None of the tomatoes in the outside raised gardens have been bothered.
I should have photos for you of the inside and outside gardens. I would like for you to drive down and look for your self. Hugh Wilson did a great job with his back hoe in making the road widened to the greenhouse and outdoor chapel in the woods. The door is not locked. I have only used organic fertilizer on the crops and no bug spray. I often eat them off the vine and you can too. I assume that we will have tomatoes through this month and maybe next month
I water daily, prune the bottoms, pull off suckers( wayward stems) and do some harvesting. I have not had the time or energy to build the complete automatic irrigation system. If you recall, I do poorly in the heat and only work early in the morning and late in the evening. My energy level is fair then. Do not know why I picked a project that keeps me out of the air conditioning and in the heat. I do have a fan in the greenhouse and that helps. Maybe this week I will finish the automatic watering system.
I now have some help. Mark Thomas, son of Bob and Kathy Thomas is a rising Jr at AC Flora and will be a part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. He needs to participate in a community leadership program and has asked to work with me and the Green Team. I had Mark as a middle school Sunday School student a few years ago and he was great. He has just started and I have only used him once for last weekend when I was out of town and needed watering for Sat and Sun. I hope all of us can find constructive ways for Mark to help the Green Team in our activities for the next two years and help him develop some leadership skills.
Come down to the farm as I call it to Kim. We have green peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, flowers, basil, parsley, rosemary, sage and soon, carrots and squash. I am starting to plant seeds for fall and winter crops. I will be keeping Mark busy and any volunteers busy too.
Bob
Build Your Own Rain Barrel
Thursday, August 7 2014
4-6 pm
St Michaels and All Angels’ Church
Rain Barrels can collect rainwater off your roof, which can use to water your garden, wash your car or any other outdoor use. Rain water can help you save water, save money and reduce storm water pollution.
Learn about
* Rain Barrel construction
* Storm water run off and pollution
* Rainwater harvesting with barrels.
Program Fee: $35.00 includes all materials
Pay fee to church
Coordinated by: SMAA Green Team and
Clemson Extension
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Pay Registration fee to SMAA: One per family and more than one family member can work on barrel!
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