Hurray and Hallelujah, Harvest is here

Thanks to the dozens of workers spending hundreds of hours and providing essential resources provided including;
• Donation of land.
• “Round Upping”
• Ground preparation
• Developing and maintaining a blog
• Providing the use of sprinkler pipes, fence posts and panels for pole beans and cucumbers.
• Providing soil amendments, fertilizer and insecticides.
• Planting parties
• Regular roto tilling
• Tedious hand weeding between rows
• Managing irrigation
• Providing canning supplies
It is conservatively estimated that approaching seventy different individuals have contributed to the success of the garden in some way

Now we approach harvest including picking, processing and distribution. The first planting of corn at Lyman’s has ears with brown tassel and the second planting at Lyman’s and the first planting of corn at Chris Bailey’s is forming ears. The Bishop and Relief Society along with the garden site coordinators met and have suggested the following priority for distribution.
• Number one priority: to the families identified by the Bishop and ward council as having he most needs.
• Number two would be the produce the Relief Society would use in processing the harvested crop.
• Priority three availability for those who were workers or who provided resources. If you would like to share in the bounty now is your chance, get out there and weed!!!!!!
• Last priority after everyone who has needs and has contributed has taken what the need, The YW/YM will harvest the remaining and the Relief Society will provide hands on training with processing.

A reminder: the weeding, watering and insect control season is not over by a long shot. Word has it that morning glory a.k.a field bind weed is invading the tomatoes. Immediate delicate hand weeding pulling the weed away from the plant will ensure a full harvest. There is still between row weeding in some of the corn rows. We still need to hand pull weeds in the potato patch. Hand weeding is still needed for the onions and squash.

Sister Peck will keep you notified of scheduled processing parties. We will also notify you by e-mail and/or blog when produce is available for the workers.

Family Home weeding and share the harvest taster's delight

We are in the crucial maintenance portion of the gardening season. Everything is up and growing nicely, including the weeds. We are pleased to say that we have reached the fifty person participation level. We must not let up now. When you are coasting you are going downhill.

Some one suggested that it would be a wonderful thing if every family dedicated one family home evening a month to helping in the ward garden. It has even been suggested that we call this the monthly family home weeding. What a wonderful way to teach service and enjoy the fruits of your labors. This garden is a special garden. It is the Lord's garden. It is the ward's garden. It is your garden. We have already heard faith promoting stories from those who have contributing in any of a number of ways. Some great friendships have been made. It is exciting to see nature unfold from a weedy patch, to a scruffy dirt pile, to faithfully putting in seeds, watching them emerge and grow under your watchful care.

Families, farmers, couples, young men and women and others have given of their time and resources. Due to Brother Hebdon's travel and work schedule we have asked the Derricott's to coordinate the Family Home weeding project. Let them know which Mondays you would like to assist and they can make sure that we have even coverage and also let you know what tasks are needed that week.

And the best is yet to come. Wait until the Relief Society gets involved and shares with us how to process, serve and store our harvest. It has been suggested that we consider a Taster's Delight, and Share the Harvest event at the end of the season and invite individuals to pot luck with the rest of us their favorite dishes using the ward garden produce. Think of it!! corn on the corn, mashed, fried, and baked spuds, green bean casserole, stuffed peppers, chili, salsa, pickles, baked squash. and the recipes are almost limitless.. If the weather is good, the Gills would love to host such a gala event. We would probably want to have an indoor or covered back up. I get goose bumps thinking about the potential good that can come from this project.

If the produce continues as we hope it well, we will need to make sure that we get the produce to those who can use it. Home teachers and visiting teachers could surely share with those that they teach. There can be processing parties where the Relief Society helps "put up" the stuff we grow. All those who work should put up some produce to remember long after the season is over what it was all about. Feel free to suggest anyone in need who could benefit from our produce.
I am thinking we may need a special committee to help with the distribution. I would like to see if we could have representatives from the Bishopric and Relief Society and other auxiliaries help us with this.

If you haven't seen the garden yet, get out this week and see it. There are two sites. One is next to Lyman Jensen's home and has pole beans, cucumbers, squash, onions, potatoes, corn, peppers, tomatoes and onions. The other is a corn patch behind Chris Bailey's home.

Extra plants available...

Molly Maughan has about 40 or more tomato plants and about 35 green pepper plants for anyone who would like to have them. They can call Molly or comment on this post and I will let her know. Thanks for your help.

Garden Update June 20, 2009

Undaunted by predicted rain later I the after noon, a few brave souls took to the garden to get work done before the storm.
Chris Bailey’s plot now has all the corn planted. There has also been roto tilling between the rows.
On Lyman’s plot, the remaining corn has been planted and the corn that was up has been side dressed with nitrogen and some within row weeding has begun. The pole beans and cucumbers have been hand weeded and the peppers and squash have been weeded and fertilizer worked in around the plants.
Byron Rawlins will fertilize the pole beans and cucumbers this week. Alan Ohweiler will instruct us on weeding, hilling and fertilizing the onions. The potatoes are flourishing, and Steve Woolfe will let us know if we need to begin hilling the plants up.
Brother Faucette feels the tomatoes have enough nutrients on board from planting to last another couple of weeks. He will let us know when and what to use when it comes time to fertilize again.
The corn that is growing in Chris Bailey’s place needs side dressing and within row weeding. The Wengreens have learned the system and can be used as resources. It is recommended that the YM/YW take on this responsibility and try to get this assignment done this week. It should be able to be done in an hour or so if there are six or more workers.
Brother Gill will try to roto till Lyman’s site later this week. Brother Hebdon and others are keeping on top of things at Chris Bailey’s place.
The Derricotts will be maintaining the weeding of the squash patch. Please join in for weeding and maintenance, as we want this project to represent the ward and the Lord. Again contact Brother Hebdon or scheduling
Thanks for all you do, Noel

Big Challenge

This Saturday is a big challenge to see how we tackle the ward garden project. Because of scheduling of the Ward camp out next week and the need to get the garden caught up we have a need for a good turnout this Saturday.

Among other things we plan to plant the pole beans, cucumbers, squash and peppers in the front section of the garden.We also need to plant the second section of corn. And we have a big tomato planting also needed. All of this will be done at Lyman's place.

We hope to have the sprinkler pipe in place so we can give the garden a good watering when we finish. I have been told that there is a Primary function that morning at 10:00 I am encouraging folks who need to attend that meeting to join us at 8:00 or 8:30. You may need to bring hoes, shovels and rakes. I have found that those bulb planters that pull out a plug of dirt about 21/2 inches wide and about three inches deep are handy for transplanting small plants. Shovels also work. We will have the plants, seeds and panels available.
An update: Onions are in and thriving. Potatoes are in and not up yet. The first planting of corn is surfacing. The poles for the pole beans are in and the panel material is on site. Oh and by the way, weeds are starting to surface and we will soon need to be addressing that as well. I expect we will need at least a weekly weeding project.

This should be a great experience. Hope to see you.

Remember to be saving your one gallon empty milk cartons and nursery pots in the case we have a late frost to protect the plants.

Ward Campout...

I know that this doesn't have anything to do with the garden, but I just thought that I would share...

Here is some information I just received about the ward camp out coming soon:

The 4th Ward Camp-out is coming fast. We will be camping with first ward in the "Lehi site" at Cinnamon Creek on JUNE 5th & 6th. Kids games will start about 5 p.m. (or you can bring your own toys) and go til they are done. Dinner will be provided and served from 6:30 to 7:30, please bring your own dishes for eating. At 7:30 we will have a special inspirational speaker for about a half hour. A fire will be lit at dark with visiting til you are tired. If you like you may bring a dessert to the dinner. The camp ground will be available to us from Thursday after noon until 3 p.m. on Saturday so come and make it a weekend of fun! See you there!!

Sorry...here is the latest update

Because of the Aaronic Priesthood commemoration, slow seed germination and scheduling conflicts, we will not be having a general planting project on Sat May 23rd . Weather permitting we should be ready on the 30th for some major work which would include planting of tomatoes, peppers, successive corn plantings. at both sites, winter squash, pole beans and cucumbers..
There will be some opportunities for individualized smaller projects during the week for those who have time and would like to contribute. Noel will try to get the climbing panels for the pole beans and cucumbers set up. Some of our onions will need to be replanted because they didn't get enough ,moisture during the recent dry period. If you would like to help contact Dave Hebdon who can direct you to those needing help.
We still will need protective covering for frost sensitive plants by May 30th. Please contact the Derricotts if you have empty gallon milk jugs with the bottom cut out or gallon or bigger plant containers from nurseries.
Schedule in some time this summer to help with roto tilling, weeding, fertilizing, pest control, harvesting and processing. Those who have helped so far report that simply working together on such a good cause has been a blessing in their lives. The Lord has given us this opportunity for a number of reasons including producing food for consumption and storage, learning gardening skills, assisting those in need, fellowshipping and friendshipping. I promise you that you will be blessed in ways that you may not be aware of if you support this force for good. Thanks for all you do. Noel

Yahoo!!!!!

The garden is going. On Thursday the 7th a brave crew of ward gardeners planted the potatoes and the onions at Lyman Jensen's plot.
At noon on Saturday the 9th we will plant the first installment of corn at the same plot subsequent plantings of corn will be two weeks later.
There will be opportunities for planting and weeding every Saturday at noon from now on. On the 16th we will plant the first installment of corn at Chris Baileys. and subsequent plantings every two weeks.
On the 23rd we will plant pole beans and cucumbers and cover the squash and tomato area with black plastic to warm the soil. On the 30th we will plant tomatoes, squash and peppers at Jensen's and another installment of corn at Baileys.
As we get into the swing of things we can firm up weeding by hand within rows and between row tilling assignments. The success to any garden is keeping ahead of the weeds. We will need to fertilize corn, tomatoes and squash during the season and also be watchful of insects and diseases that may need to be dealt with. Harvest and processing will also be scheduled as the season progresses.
Make it part of your summer plans to be a part of this great project.
Brother Hebdon will be helping us with scheduling. Please let him know if you would like to help and be notified of the assignments
Thanks for all you do.

New garden pic's...

So...here are the latest pics of what has been going on at the garden. Thanks to the bishop for plowing up the dirt for us. I caught a quick picture of him working.

Garden update

At last check, the Bishop has plans to spread the compost and plow the garden site early next week. Justin Summers indicated that he thought he could till the site before Sat. If all that comes to pass, my plans are to set up the garden site with row markers Sat morning. The plan is to invite those who would like to join us in planting at noon. The plan is to have Alan Kent supervise the planting of the onions and Steve Woolf and myself will help with the potatoes

I will cut the potatoes into planting size and have them ready to plant. My roto-tiller has a furrowing attachment and I will see if it will make a good planting row. Basically planting the potatoes will involve placing some bone meal under where the potato set will be placed, pushing the set firmly into the soil with the eyes up and covering the potato a couple of inches deep in the furrow. Gardening experts suggest that potato sets be spaced about 15 inches to a foot and a half apart. As the potato plant begins to grow we will then keep "hilling up" the plant so that the new growing potatoes remain covered and deeper in the furrow.

Marc Anderson at Anderson Garden and seed sold us onion plants that are very large when they mature. He suggested a spacing of about six inches between. Alan Kent will show use the proper procedure to plant. Those coming to plant may want to bring a hoe.

It has been recommended that the YM/YW assign teams to each of the five garden plots. Individual families are welcome to select a specific garden or respond to calls to work in the garden as they come up.

Make sure you review the tentative work assignments at the garden sent out earlier. A reminder notice will also be sent for those who may not have saved it. Remember in gardening, everything is cast in cardboard not concrete.
Now is the time to get on board for a great ride. This project will be a powerful force for good in our ward and community.

Weather Update...

Well...today as I was cleaning my house and daydreaming about getting outside to work in my yard, I passed a window and noticed that it was SNOWING outside. What??? Snowing outside, now how was I supposed to get all the projects done in my yard that I had been putting off all week to do on the weekend. Oh well, I guess that's spring weather for you in Cache Valley. So I guess we aren't going to be plowing our garden any time soon...Maybe this was a good thing because I needed to be studying for finals anyway, not enjoying the weather.

Any takers…

Hey out there! It has been suggested that we have an official project photographer and/or historian to chronicle the events of this monumental undertaking.  Any takers?  It could be a committee.  We could have pictures and/or videos of each step.  We could have human interest stories.  I think it's a great idea.  We need to get hoppin' though as deep tilling/plowing will probably start next week.

Garden spot...

Well I hope to keep up on taking pics of the progress of the garden. I had some extra time today, and the weather was great, so I talked my husband into taking a walk with me around the block. It actually ended up being around the entire town, but it was great. We walked past the garden site at Brother Lyman Jensen's house. So here is a pic of what it looks like today.

Garden Site Update

Things will be moving swiftly very soon. Make sure you and your teams are ready to participate. A tentative schedule is included. Keep in mind with gardens that everything is set in cardboard not concrete and be prepared to adjust. However, preparation precedes power.

 

Tentative schedule

• Tuesday April 21 Round up sites
  
• Deep till and or plow after April 25
  
• Fri May 1 Garden set up. Signs put up, irrigation pipe set up, rows marked off
  
• Planting Plan on being available every Sat, to be involved in some planting or preparation activity
  
  • Sat. May 2^nd first planting of onion garden and potato gardens at the Jensen Site.
    
  • Sat. May 9^th First planting of corn, both plots. Three more successive corn plantings every two weeks are planned.
    
  • Sat May 16^th planting pole beans and laying down of black plastic to warm the soil for planting squash and tomatoes. Pole bean planting will include setting up 4 twenty five foot lengths of wire paneling.
    
  • Friday May 29^th and Sat May 30^th planting winter squash, tomatoes and cucumbers
    
• 
  Weeding and fertilizing
  
  • The garden site coordinator will arrange for timely watering, coordinating with weeding and harvest.
    
  • Walk behind roto tilling between rows will be done weekly. Those assigned to roto tilling should coordinate with within row weeders and sprinkling schedule
    
  • Within row weeding and thinning will be done weekly as well. Fertilizing dates will be assigned to the within row weeding teams. The groups assigned to each garden should set up their schedule for weeding.. Make sure you check with the sprinkler schedule and roto tiller.
    
  • As the need arises insect management may be needed
    
• Processing
  
  • The Relief Society will be kept informed on the ripening progress when produce is ready to process, teams will be assigned to do so as a group at designates sites. Pole beans will probably be canned or made available for members to use fresh. Corn can be used fresh as needed. When sufficient quantities are available freezing processes will be held at designated sites. Tomatoes, peppers and onions can be processed as salsa, tomato juice or canned tomatoes.
    
• Harvesting and storage
  
  • Garden site coordinators will keep everyone abreast through the blog site, Sunday program, mass e-mailing, Friendshipper and home and visiting teachers as to how and when potatoes, onions and squash should be harvested. Harvest dates will be establilshed when necessary. Experts will teach us how and when to harvest, how and where to store
    

 

Catch the vision! Join in! Invite friends and neighbors to join! Be constantly aware of who has needs and would benefit from any of the programs Brother Gill

Simplification and expansion of gardens revision4/15/2009

After visiting Lyman Jensen and seeing the garden site he is making available, we are suggesting some changes in the master plan to simplify and expand our resources. Lyman has a plot that can be utilized which is about 65 feet wide and 330 feet ling. We have decided to use this block for most of the ward garden. There is a place for a permanent irrigation pipe and the land is centrally located and easily accessible.

Tentative plans are to have four and possibly five sections or gardens.

Garden 1
Pole beans, cucumbers and winter squash. 60 feet by 30 feet, 100 feet of pole beans 50 feet of cucumbers, and 35 hills of winter squash.

Garden 2
Onions: 12 rows 40 feet by 60 feet
200 feet each of red onions, white onions and yellow onions for a total of 600 feet

Garden 3

Potatoes: 20 rows 60 feet by 60 feet. 200 feet each of Pontiac, Norland, Kennebec, Yukon Gold, and Sandy Wiebe's favorite, for a total of 1000 feet

Garden 4
Tomatoes and peppers. Eight rows of tomatoes for a total 90 plants two rows of peppers for 40 plants

Possible Garden 5
Corn. 30 rows of late maturing corn and 10 rows of early maturing corn for a total of 2000 feet.
You might want to keep your eyes on this plot and watch and help it grow and prosper. Round up and tilling will be shortly upon us and planting is not far behind. Many hands and hearts will be needed to make this truly the Garden of Eden, West. You, your families, friends and community members will be blessed beyond their wildest expectations if they put their might mind and strength into this powerful force for good. May God bless us all and thank you all for your commitments and support, Brother Gill

The more the merrier...

Just wanted to let you know that the Paradise 2nd ward has joined us on the blog...welcome. And let us know if you have any gardening advice, we love anything about gardening.

Where to find the tomato stakes...

This post is in answere to the question of where to find the tomato stakes...So when I was at Walmart the other day, I saw some tomato stakes there. And I'm sure that they have them at the nursery too, but I'm not sure. However I will do some homework and find out for sure this week. I'm sure that our tomato plants can wait a bit longer for these stakes. And if anyone else see's these stakes anywhere else, then leave a comment about the where and price's if you happen to see that. There are more pics to look at about the tomato stake if you click on the link on the right hand side and down a few clicks. It is called the tomato stake site...Thanks for everyone's input.

Pre-Planting Season Tips...

Many seeds will not germinate in cold soil and in fact may rot. One tip master gardeners do is place clear or black plastic over the area to be planted a week or so before planting if the soil is too cold to germinate. This gives you several weeks jump by planting in a warm soil bed. Some large hard seeds can speed germination by soaking them overnoght. these include corn and beans. Another good resource that many gardeners enjoy is the two early Saturday morning garden talk shows. One is on KSL called the Green House the other is on KVNU 610 locally hosted by Marc Anderson of Anderson Feed and Seed In buying vegetable seeds you cannot beat the wide variety of bulk seeds available at Anderson's. Another plus is that Marc and his staff are quite knowledgeable and they have planting guides and variety recommendation sheets which are very helpful. Be aware that experts are predicting shortages in and price increase on vegetable seeds this year. Get yours early while the weather is crappy. There are shorter lines. Some varieties are already sold out and others are in short supply. Make sure you store your seeds in a secure environment. Last year I left mine in my garage and the mice had a feast before I could plant some of them. Some gardeners store their seeds and packets in glass jars. This is a good idea,as they wont get wet or eaten by mice and you can see them at a glance. Don't forget USU extension service. They have a wealth of materials and resources which are very good and directed at our local climate. They can also put you in touch with a list of Master gardeners who are highly trained gardeners I our area who have taken on a commitment to provide a certain number of service hours each year. They can be wonderful resources. Remember not to get too anxious in working your soil to plant. If you till wet soil, particularly if you have clay, you will have unmanageable clods all year long to contend with. A good test is to grab a large handful of the soil and squeeze it into a ball and drop it. If it crumbles in your hand or breaks easily when it is dropped, go ahead and work the soil. If it forms a solid, wet ball and doesn't break when it falls, you are too early While manure and amendments are wonderful for gardens, they need to decompose and mix in with the soil. If you apply it and integrate it now, it may be "too hot" high in Nitrogen and other chemicals and will stunt or kill the seeds and plants you plant. Fall time is the time to work in organic material. Carefully aged compost can be used with caution during the gardening season. Our expert in residence in this his area is Floyd Faucette. Speak with him about more details and your own specific concerns.

Another way to support your Tomato Plants...

The Tomato Stake is the best way to support your growing tomatoes! Easier to use than metal cages, stronger than bamboo, and won't rot or splinter like wood stakes.


The Tomato stake is... ...simple. It’s easy to set up and grow perfect tomatoes in your backyard garden. ...easy. The built in twistie-ties make supportingtomato plants easy and fun....Strong. It stands five (5) feet tall, can hold up to 45 lbs of weightand won’t fall over on windy days....better than every other staking product on the market, including metal cages or those flimsy bamboo stakes.

Selecting Healthy Plants for Your House or Garden...

As you enter the nursery or garden center, you look around at the selection of plants. You may know the kind of plant you are looking for, or you may just browse until you find the flower or plant that rings your bell. That is usually the easiest part of your decision. Now you must decide which specimen, out of the dozens on the bench, you want to take home with you.
There are several aspects that you should consider in making your decision. The prettiest plant on the shelf is not necessarily the healthiest, nor the best buy.




Today you can purchase plants almost anywhere. You will find them in your neighborhood grocery store, discount warehouses, or even at a garage sale. To me, this is somewhat like going into a car dealer to buy a cake. This is not to say that the plant you pick up at the local Safeway won't be healthy, nor that a nursery plant will be. However, when you shop for plants at a nursery or garden center you are dealing with people who have grown that plant, and (hopefully) know how to care for it.
Regardless of where you do your plant shopping, there are a few things to watch for to ensure the quality of your purchase.
Take a look at the general health of all of the plants in the nursery, not just of a particular variety. If you see very many sickly looking plants, I'd recommend heading on down the road. (Better safe, than sorry)
Unlike seasonal perennials and annuals, house plants may reside in the nursery for a year or longer. During this time they may be exposed to many common house plant pests. If you find mites, mealy bugs, or any other harmful insects anywhere in the house plant department, they may have already infested the plant you like as well. I'd recommend heading on down the road. (Better safe, than sorry)
Once I have decided on the type of plant I want, I generally choose about a half dozen of the healthiest looking plants, and set them off to the side. Then I will go back for a closer examination of the different parts of each plant, before making my decision by process of elimination.
Look closely for insect pests and signs of disease.
Avoid tall spindly plants. A short bushy plant will transplant easier and is more likely to grow into a nice specimen.
The roots provide the food for the plant, and are of the utmost importance. It is essential that there is a healthy, robust root ball which fills, or nearly fills the planter. On the other hand, you don't want a root system which is compacted into the pot so densely that it is choking itself out. It is inappropriate to remove the plant from the pot yourself, but if you have doubts about the condition of the roots, you may be able to convince the nurseryman to do it for you. Normally, you can look at the drainage holes in the pot and get a pretty good idea of what is going on inside the pot. A few (but not too many) roots should be beginning to poke through the drain holes. These roots should not be dry or brittle. No roots should be showing above the surface of the soil.
The stems and trunks will determine the shape and fullness of the plant. The main stem(s) should be thick and healthy in appearance. I feel that it is better to have four or five main stems and just a few lesser branches, than to have a mass of small branches with one big stick in the middle. The stems should be spaced evenly around the plant. (Unless of course this is a single stemmed plant such as a Dieffenbachia.) Look for abrasions, breaks or other stem damage which may be slowly killing the plant.
The foliage should be clean and show no signs of wilting. The leaves should appear to be strong and healthy, and the foliage color should be bright. Check for spotting, leaf edge burn or other common plant problems. (A single burned leaf can be snipped, but if the entire plant shows signs of distress, forget it)
Flowering plants should have young, tight buds. It's nice to see the plant in full bloom, but if it is fully flowered now, you may not see it bloom in your garden until the following year. This is especially true with Rhododendrons, Azaleas and other flowering shrubs. Some perennials and most annuals have an extended blooming period, so with these plants this is not a major concern, but should be considered.

When you bring your plants home, allow them to acclimatize themselves by placing them in the shade, and then gradually bring them into their proper lighting. Be sure to keep them well watered until they are ready to plant into the ground. It is best to plant them on an overcast day.

Advice From Floyd Faucette

Floyd Faucette, our expert/consultant at large is offering some resources to ward members. "I would be glad to visit with any member of the ward or community that would like to have help in the area of soil ammendments.

Also I have fertilizers available including humate, traditional fertilizer and a organic fertilizer utilizing blood meal bone meal alfalfa meal cotton seed and micro nutrients.

There may be an interest in plant starts people want. I have several small growers I work with who would probably give us a better price than retail if there is interest."

Building a Tomato Cage

What you need:
5 ft. wide concrete reinforcing wire
Medium gauge utility wire
Bolt cutters
Cinder blocks
Green spray enamel
6 ft. wooden stakes
Mallet or hammer

Many commercial tomato cages are neither large enough nor sturdy enough to support indeterminate tomato plants. You can make your own easily enough by using 5 ft. wide concrete reinforcing wire. Unroll the wire and weight down with concrete blocks to hold in place. Use bolt cutters to cut 15 ft. of wire.

Sever the bottom row of horizontal wire along one end of the mesh. This leaves a row of tines to help anchor the cage in the soil.

Next, remove the concrete blocks and stand the wire upright. Be careful; the wire may spring up when the blocks are removed. Form a cylinder with the wire and lash the ends together using medium gauge utility wire.

The reinforcing wire will rust if not painted. Two coats of spray enamel will ensure that the cage remains rust free.

Once the enamel has dried, place the cage over your tomato plant. Wooden stakes pounded into the ground on either side of the cage will offer additional support.

Pruning Info from Brother Gill

I was out visiting ward members the other day and noted that many have unpruned trees for the season. To get the full benefit and productivity from our fruit trees, they really need regular pruning and a spray program.

I am not a certified arborist, but I have taken several courses and have pruned my and others for many years. I am not really good on trees that people like maintained very tall, as I tend to keep the trees I prune at a more manageable height for maintenance and harvest. I would be willing to be on a pruning resource commitee to help those that are unable to prune their fruit trees. Would each of you check with friends and neighbors to see who may need this service. Fruit and berries should be a major part of our garden project this summer.

Also please let me or Dave Hebdon know if you would be willing to help out as a pruner as well.

Update since Sunday...

Paradise 4th Produce a Plenty Project
Update since Sundays meeting

New changes since the meeting Sunday.

We have added some new committees and have coordinators in place...

Blogg committee; Sabrina Whalen. Sabrina will be our Blogg guru and put together a fantastic Blogg that will keep us all informed, motivated and on the same page. will be hearing more from her

Volunteer Coordinator: Dave Hebdon will be the coordinator. Lots of individuals have signed up to be helpers at whatever needs to be done. We are also getting requests from members about gardening needs. Dave and his committee will make sure those pieces get connected. I have suggested that his committee and the YM/YW groups work closely together as many of the requests might turn out to be excellent opportunities for service projects

Coordinated Farmers market with the City, Lions club and paradise wards. Dale Anderson and Floyd Faucette will represent the paradise fourth ward on this committee

Garden mentors and consultants Floyd Faucette has agreed to be a resource for any garden site or individual in the ward. Other mentors who have expressed interest in helping other gardeners include Alan Ohweiler, and Scott Summers. We will create a master list of those who have the ability and desire to help others.

Deep Tilling committee. Justin Summers will connect equipment and operators with those

with needs

Family participation Committee: Kent and Michelle Derricott

Also...there are some changes to the master plan which I have updated in red letters in the master plan post. Thanks for everyone's willingness to help out with this project.

Master Plan

Everyone probably received a paper with the master plan today at church, but I thought it would be a great place to start with our blog so here is what was on the paper.

Paradise 4th Produce a Plenty Project

Master Plan: 3/29/09

3 components

1. Community garden sites
2. Assisting Individual's gardens
3. Community Free Farmer's market

1. Community gardens

Crop: corn
Site Host: Chris Bailey
Site Coordinator: Noel Gill
Deep Garden Till: Chris Bailey
Walk behind tiller to till between rows: Noel Gill
Maintenance crew to assist planting, weeding, fertilizing, and harvesting: Youth Groups and individuals to be assigned
Relief Society processing team

Crop: Potatoes/winter squash and tomatoes
Site Host: Lyman Jensen
Site Coordinator: Steve Wolf
Deep Garden Till: Justin Summers or Weeks
Walk behind tiller to till between rows: Steve Woolf (Noel as back up)
Maintenance crew to assist planting, weeding, fertilizing, and harvesting: Youth Groups and individuals to be assigned
Relief Society processing team

Crop: Pole Beans and Onions
Site Host: Max Delgado
Site Coordinator: Byron Rawlins and Alan Ohweiler
Deep Garden Till: Max Delgado
Walk behind tiller to till between rows: Individuals to use Max’s tiller (Andrea Russell)
Maintenance crew to assist planting, weeding, fertilizing, and harvesting: Youth Groups and individuals to be assigned
Relief Society processing team

Crop: Smaller sites, Tomato and peppers
Site Host:

Site One: Scott Summers will be the site coordinator for his site and make the necessary arrangements
Site Two: Sandra Wiebe will be doing a raised bed garden on her site and will coordinate the arrangements

Site Coordinator: to be assigned
Deep Garden Till: to be assigned
Walk behind tiller to till between rows: to be assigned
Maintenance crew to assist planting, weeding, fertilizing, and harvesting: Youth Groups and individuals to be assigned
Relief Society processing team

2. The ward garden project will also provide deep tilling and garden mentors for individual’s gardens. Deep tilling committee being put together

3. We will also participate in a community Free Farmer’s Market in conjunction with the Lion’s club, the other Paradise wards, and Paradise City.

If you have any questions or comments then just click on the comment link that is just below this post go from there. Thanks!