True to form, the garden is up and running now with a little warm weather. Stop by and see the hand of the Lord in action. At Lyman Jensen’s plot every thing that was planted is up and flourishing and competing intently with the evil forces of weeds and bugs. Chris Bailey’s corn patch has the first planting completed and awaits the second shortly.
The onions are responding well and the tips of green wave in the wind as the delicious bulbs beneath the surface increase in size and scrumpdidlialushness daily. The potatoes now resemble a thick dark green wave of undulating potato plants. The area between the rows have been tilled and hilled, while the area between plants are being choked by our life long nemesis, Captain field bind weed or morning glory. Pole beans, cucumbers, and winter squash all have broke the surface and are reaching for the sun literally. Transplanted tomatoes and pepper plants have withstood the initial transplant shock and are hitting their stride.
We are getting fairly good turn-outs for maintenance, but in order to keep ahead of things we need to seriously magnify our callings as stewards of the Paradise gardens. The following plan is in place to stay ahead of the count for the garden.
1. Regular scheduled weeding, planting, spraying and harvesting is regularly scheduled two times a week
A. The first is on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM
B. The second is every Saturday morning from 10:00 Am till 2:00 PM
2. Once you have learned the system, we encourage families and individuals to help out whenever it is convenient for them.
The ward leaders and the garden committee personally challenge every member in the ward to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to experience the Pure love of Christ in Action through your efforts. We promise you that you will be filled with the spirit and will be a part of a great force for good in the community.
The Bishop has sent out a call for someone to volunteer as ward photographer to chronicle the events of the garden.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Community garden puts food on needy tables
Alison B. LawJune 13, 2010
Where is the Lord’s Garden planted and blossoming? In Paradise, of course.
The project of planting and harvesting a garden began last year when Noel Gill of the LDS fourth ward in Paradise wanted a way to help others. Gill said he saw many people who had lost their jobs and were in need of some extra help. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encourages members to have gardens and to be prepared by having food storage, giving Gill the idea to start a garden for those in need. Gill, who was then the high priest group leader, approached the bishop about the idea and said it quickly went from something small to a large scale project.
Lyman Jensen and Chris Bailey each donated large portions of land totalling over two acres next to their homes for the gardens. Gill had been planning on lots of little gardens spread out, but was appreciative of the land donations. Gill continued to round up people to help, especially those who had some background in gardening. Assignments were made depending on people’s specialties, ranging from site coordinator, irrigation and soil specialists, work crew coordinators, historian, communication and publicity people.
Floyd Faucette took the reins as the soil and fertilizer specialist for the gardens. Faucette said that while the ground is good in Paradise they put together a program to bring in compost to add to the soil. Last fall several local dairies dumped manure in the gardens. Faucette also uses different organic fertilizers on the plants, depending on the vegetable. The ground must also be plowed and tilled to get it ready for planting. Specific members of the ward are assigned to deep plow or till as needed.
The rain this year postponed the planting a while, but a few weeks ago families, members of the ward and youth groups came out in full force to start planting the garden. Over 30 youth participated in the planting last Tuesday night. Steve Woolf, who plays a big part in the gardens, said he thinks the garden will still grow as well as last year.
The gardens are divided up with the plot by the Bailey’s home bearing corn and the land from the Jensen’s having onions, potatoes, pole beans, tomatoes, green peppers, squash and cucumbers. Gill said the corn gets planted three times throughout the summer and last year the crop yielded “oodles and oodles” of corn.
As the plants start to grow, so do the weeds. This is where the largest group of people are needed Gill said. Groups gather on Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings to pull weeds and tend to the garden. Once they have been taught what to do people, can come whenever they want. Gill said last year many people stopped by for a while before work to give of their time. Evelyn Nyman and her family spent some Family Home Evenings pulling weeds, although they were also taking care of their own garden.
Her children may have been reluctant at first to go help, but Nyman said once they got there they had fun.
“It’s fun to go out and help,” Nyman said.
New friendships were made as people weeded side by side last year Gill said and he hopes that continues this year. Over 70 people helped out last year and Gill hopes to have well over 100 this year. He and those he calls “the fearsome foursome,” including Woolf, Grant and Byron Rawlins and Dale Anderson spend at least five to six hours a week at the gardens, making sure things are kept up and teaching others as needed. The variety of people bring a variety of ideas of how to do things and it becomes a positive, informative process, Woolf said. Gill calls the gardens a “community spiritual experience,” hence the name “The Lord’s Garden.”
“It’s a great tool to get people out and get people acquainted with those they might not have known,” Woolf said.
Challenges hit the garden last year including water shortages, insects, wind damage, bad seed and lots of weeds. Gill compared them to the infestation of the crops by crickets in the days of the early Utah settlers. Despite these trials, the crops were plentiful and were able to help out many in need with fresh produce and canned, frozen or processed food. The group plans to continue to assist those in need with the harvest this fall. The women in the ward will teach one another canning and processing with the crops and share recipes using the fresh produce. Last year a dinner was held for the whole ward using some of the food from the garden or from the gardens of members. If all goes as planned, food will be distributed, recipes shared and a dinner to celebrate will follow this fall.
Where is the Lord’s Garden planted and blossoming? In Paradise, of course.
The project of planting and harvesting a garden began last year when Noel Gill of the LDS fourth ward in Paradise wanted a way to help others. Gill said he saw many people who had lost their jobs and were in need of some extra help. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encourages members to have gardens and to be prepared by having food storage, giving Gill the idea to start a garden for those in need. Gill, who was then the high priest group leader, approached the bishop about the idea and said it quickly went from something small to a large scale project.
Lyman Jensen and Chris Bailey each donated large portions of land totalling over two acres next to their homes for the gardens. Gill had been planning on lots of little gardens spread out, but was appreciative of the land donations. Gill continued to round up people to help, especially those who had some background in gardening. Assignments were made depending on people’s specialties, ranging from site coordinator, irrigation and soil specialists, work crew coordinators, historian, communication and publicity people.
Floyd Faucette took the reins as the soil and fertilizer specialist for the gardens. Faucette said that while the ground is good in Paradise they put together a program to bring in compost to add to the soil. Last fall several local dairies dumped manure in the gardens. Faucette also uses different organic fertilizers on the plants, depending on the vegetable. The ground must also be plowed and tilled to get it ready for planting. Specific members of the ward are assigned to deep plow or till as needed.
The rain this year postponed the planting a while, but a few weeks ago families, members of the ward and youth groups came out in full force to start planting the garden. Over 30 youth participated in the planting last Tuesday night. Steve Woolf, who plays a big part in the gardens, said he thinks the garden will still grow as well as last year.
The gardens are divided up with the plot by the Bailey’s home bearing corn and the land from the Jensen’s having onions, potatoes, pole beans, tomatoes, green peppers, squash and cucumbers. Gill said the corn gets planted three times throughout the summer and last year the crop yielded “oodles and oodles” of corn.
As the plants start to grow, so do the weeds. This is where the largest group of people are needed Gill said. Groups gather on Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings to pull weeds and tend to the garden. Once they have been taught what to do people, can come whenever they want. Gill said last year many people stopped by for a while before work to give of their time. Evelyn Nyman and her family spent some Family Home Evenings pulling weeds, although they were also taking care of their own garden.
Her children may have been reluctant at first to go help, but Nyman said once they got there they had fun.
“It’s fun to go out and help,” Nyman said.
New friendships were made as people weeded side by side last year Gill said and he hopes that continues this year. Over 70 people helped out last year and Gill hopes to have well over 100 this year. He and those he calls “the fearsome foursome,” including Woolf, Grant and Byron Rawlins and Dale Anderson spend at least five to six hours a week at the gardens, making sure things are kept up and teaching others as needed. The variety of people bring a variety of ideas of how to do things and it becomes a positive, informative process, Woolf said. Gill calls the gardens a “community spiritual experience,” hence the name “The Lord’s Garden.”
“It’s a great tool to get people out and get people acquainted with those they might not have known,” Woolf said.
Challenges hit the garden last year including water shortages, insects, wind damage, bad seed and lots of weeds. Gill compared them to the infestation of the crops by crickets in the days of the early Utah settlers. Despite these trials, the crops were plentiful and were able to help out many in need with fresh produce and canned, frozen or processed food. The group plans to continue to assist those in need with the harvest this fall. The women in the ward will teach one another canning and processing with the crops and share recipes using the fresh produce. Last year a dinner was held for the whole ward using some of the food from the garden or from the gardens of members. If all goes as planned, food will be distributed, recipes shared and a dinner to celebrate will follow this fall.
Ward Garden Update
Hallelujah.!!!!! Like Moses and the chosen children of God under Moses who rejoiced when the waters of the Red Sea briefly parted, we have been able to utilize brief respites between rain to plant the onions, potatoes, pole beans, first planting of corn and peppers, and winter squash. Weeders and are now urgently needed to maintain the progress we have made.
The ward has scheduled two regular times each week to have members of the garden committee available for assistance and instruction for that week’s assignments. They are Saturday mornings and early afternoons and Tuesday evening. Members of the garden committee will be available for assistance and instructions during those times. Brother and Sister Doney will coordinate the work for Saturday Morning and afternoons and the YM/YW leaders will coordinate the Tuesday evening assignments
Once you have mastered the system and understand what needs to be done members can arrange to visit the garden at their convenience to contribute to the cause. Many have chosen to stop by before work. Others have taken the entire family for a family home evening activity. Some retired individuals have found that times during the day work best for them. Every individual, family and organization is encouraged and challenged to join in
We would ask that you check in with the Doneys or the YM/YW leaders each week so that we can coordinate the efforts. Grant Rawlins is our garden water master and you may need to check the watering schedule before e you go as well.
Members are reminded that the garden as its own blog which can be accessed by typing in, produceaplenty.blog. We will try to have the latest information available. Please check in regularly to see the progress and the needs.
Remember the words of the inspiring hymn. Put your shoulder to the wheel. “ The Church has need of helping hands, and hearts that know and feel. The work to do is here for you; Put your shoulder to the wheel “The work to do is here for you, put your shoulder to the wheel, push along. We all have work; let no one shirk. Put your shoulder to the wheel
The ward has scheduled two regular times each week to have members of the garden committee available for assistance and instruction for that week’s assignments. They are Saturday mornings and early afternoons and Tuesday evening. Members of the garden committee will be available for assistance and instructions during those times. Brother and Sister Doney will coordinate the work for Saturday Morning and afternoons and the YM/YW leaders will coordinate the Tuesday evening assignments
Once you have mastered the system and understand what needs to be done members can arrange to visit the garden at their convenience to contribute to the cause. Many have chosen to stop by before work. Others have taken the entire family for a family home evening activity. Some retired individuals have found that times during the day work best for them. Every individual, family and organization is encouraged and challenged to join in
We would ask that you check in with the Doneys or the YM/YW leaders each week so that we can coordinate the efforts. Grant Rawlins is our garden water master and you may need to check the watering schedule before e you go as well.
Members are reminded that the garden as its own blog which can be accessed by typing in, produceaplenty.blog. We will try to have the latest information available. Please check in regularly to see the progress and the needs.
Remember the words of the inspiring hymn. Put your shoulder to the wheel. “ The Church has need of helping hands, and hearts that know and feel. The work to do is here for you; Put your shoulder to the wheel “The work to do is here for you, put your shoulder to the wheel, push along. We all have work; let no one shirk. Put your shoulder to the wheel
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Garden Update...
Garden Update
Mother Nature is doing her best this season to dampen our spirits and cool our zeal for gardening. However, my lot is cast in favor of the indomitable spirit shown by the laborers in the Lord’s vineyard, or in our case the Lord’s garden. Time and time again last year members of the ward rose to the occasion and overcame each and every obstacle and were rewarding with an outpouring of blessings the likes of which had never been seen.
Obstacles faced and overcome included delays in getting the ground prepared, delays and problems getting our irrigation system in place, difficulty finding plants to transplant on short notice, poorly germinating seeds, drought, wind storms, insect infestation, choking weeds, fruit rotting on the ground, organizing weeding, harvesting, preparation and distribution and early fall freezes. .
Yet, we had over 70 different individuals make one kind of contribution or another. Literally hundreds of service hours were donated by dozens of selfless members. Members donated equipment, expertise, labor and gardening supplies. Families held Family Home Evening weeding parties. Home teachers took produce to their assigned families with needs. Families struggling with depleted food storage due to hard times had their storehouses replenished. Members receiving assistance from the church had an opportunity to repay with their efforts.
Members learned the skills of master gardening and food storage from each other. Priesthood quorums and Relief Society became stronger because of united efforts. YM/YW spent countless hours of service planting, weeding, harvesting, processing and distributing. We had several ward get-togethers to enjoy the fruits of our labors.
The garden became a center for missionary efforts and fellowshipping. In the end we harvested, processed and distributed hundreds of pounds of potatoes and onions, even more ears of corn, bushels upon bushels of pole beans, cucumbers and peppers. Oodles and oodles of tomatoes were salvaged and the harvest could have been better with better staking and harvesting strategies. Testimonies were strengthened, and the true love of Christ permeated the ward and community as a result of the project
We expect no less this year. If you were among those who joined us last year, recommit and redouble your efforts. If you missed out on the opportunities and blessing last year, make commitments this year to join us..
Once the weather breaks we will have regular scheduled times each week to contribute. We will have a Saturday morning time slot and at least one-week night. We will begin with planting and setting up the structures for staking plants. There will be initial plantings followed by staggered planting times to spread out the harvest. Weeding is a never-ending challenge and there will be needs each and every week. We may need help with insect infestation or wind damage. We will need help harvesting, distributing, processing and food storage.
Mother Nature is doing her best this season to dampen our spirits and cool our zeal for gardening. However, my lot is cast in favor of the indomitable spirit shown by the laborers in the Lord’s vineyard, or in our case the Lord’s garden. Time and time again last year members of the ward rose to the occasion and overcame each and every obstacle and were rewarding with an outpouring of blessings the likes of which had never been seen.
Obstacles faced and overcome included delays in getting the ground prepared, delays and problems getting our irrigation system in place, difficulty finding plants to transplant on short notice, poorly germinating seeds, drought, wind storms, insect infestation, choking weeds, fruit rotting on the ground, organizing weeding, harvesting, preparation and distribution and early fall freezes. .
Yet, we had over 70 different individuals make one kind of contribution or another. Literally hundreds of service hours were donated by dozens of selfless members. Members donated equipment, expertise, labor and gardening supplies. Families held Family Home Evening weeding parties. Home teachers took produce to their assigned families with needs. Families struggling with depleted food storage due to hard times had their storehouses replenished. Members receiving assistance from the church had an opportunity to repay with their efforts.
Members learned the skills of master gardening and food storage from each other. Priesthood quorums and Relief Society became stronger because of united efforts. YM/YW spent countless hours of service planting, weeding, harvesting, processing and distributing. We had several ward get-togethers to enjoy the fruits of our labors.
The garden became a center for missionary efforts and fellowshipping. In the end we harvested, processed and distributed hundreds of pounds of potatoes and onions, even more ears of corn, bushels upon bushels of pole beans, cucumbers and peppers. Oodles and oodles of tomatoes were salvaged and the harvest could have been better with better staking and harvesting strategies. Testimonies were strengthened, and the true love of Christ permeated the ward and community as a result of the project
We expect no less this year. If you were among those who joined us last year, recommit and redouble your efforts. If you missed out on the opportunities and blessing last year, make commitments this year to join us..
Once the weather breaks we will have regular scheduled times each week to contribute. We will have a Saturday morning time slot and at least one-week night. We will begin with planting and setting up the structures for staking plants. There will be initial plantings followed by staggered planting times to spread out the harvest. Weeding is a never-ending challenge and there will be needs each and every week. We may need help with insect infestation or wind damage. We will need help harvesting, distributing, processing and food storage.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Speaking about gardens
How To Plant Your Garden
First, you Come to the garden alone,
while the dew is still on the roses....
FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING,
PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS:
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness
PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another
NO GARDEN IS WITHOUT TURNIPS:
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another
TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME:
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends
WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE.
THERE IS MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE YOU
REAP WHAT YOU SOW
First, you Come to the garden alone,
while the dew is still on the roses....
FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING,
PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS:
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul
PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness
PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another
NO GARDEN IS WITHOUT TURNIPS:
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another
TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME:
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends
WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE.
THERE IS MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE YOU
REAP WHAT YOU SOW
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Logistics of Garden...
The bishop has asked the main players in last years garden to stimulate our curiosity and motivate many new individuals to sign up for the wonderful spiritual and bounteous feast
The ward garden was a success in many ways this past year and we have been getting a number of requests to continue and even improve on last years’. There have also been a number of members who have volunteered to take an active responsibility. Based on this feedback we are proposing the following structure.
Just a little background. There are two major plots. One is the area next to Lyman Jensen, which has a variety of produce. The other is an area behind Chris Bailey’s for corn.
Expected needs for this year’s garden will include seeds, plants, canning and freezer supplies, fertilizer, insecticide, reinforcement wire to stake up pole beans, tomatoes and cucumbers, sprinkler pipe replacements and repair and 20 poles to support the wire. Many of these items may be loaned, donated or discounted.
.The organization structure is proposed as follows: (these for the most part represent donated labor and free or discounted supplies.
A set of site coordinators for each garden
Bro. Woolfe and Bro Gill for the Jensen plot
Bro. Bailey and Bro Hebdon for the Bailey plot
Irrigation specialist Grant Grant Rawlins
Fertilizer, chemicals and soil amendment specialist Bro Faucette
Deep plowing Lee Nelson, Summers, and Chris Bailey
Smaller Tillers Gill, Woolf and Hebdon and others who may wish to assist
Work crew coordinators Byron Rawlins, Derricotts, Hebdons, Riggs and Woolf:
YM/YW available for work assignments as needed
Processing, canning, freezing Relief Society
Historian Sis Wiebe
Communication and publicity garden blog, Friendshipper, e-mail, ward bulletin Sis Whalen, Sister Tinney, Sister Peck
Crop Specialist advisors Scott summers, Steve Woolf, Mark Anderson,
Special activities Ward Activities committee
The ward garden was a success in many ways this past year and we have been getting a number of requests to continue and even improve on last years’. There have also been a number of members who have volunteered to take an active responsibility. Based on this feedback we are proposing the following structure.
Just a little background. There are two major plots. One is the area next to Lyman Jensen, which has a variety of produce. The other is an area behind Chris Bailey’s for corn.
Expected needs for this year’s garden will include seeds, plants, canning and freezer supplies, fertilizer, insecticide, reinforcement wire to stake up pole beans, tomatoes and cucumbers, sprinkler pipe replacements and repair and 20 poles to support the wire. Many of these items may be loaned, donated or discounted.
.The organization structure is proposed as follows: (these for the most part represent donated labor and free or discounted supplies.
A set of site coordinators for each garden
Bro. Woolfe and Bro Gill for the Jensen plot
Bro. Bailey and Bro Hebdon for the Bailey plot
Irrigation specialist Grant Grant Rawlins
Fertilizer, chemicals and soil amendment specialist Bro Faucette
Deep plowing Lee Nelson, Summers, and Chris Bailey
Smaller Tillers Gill, Woolf and Hebdon and others who may wish to assist
Work crew coordinators Byron Rawlins, Derricotts, Hebdons, Riggs and Woolf:
YM/YW available for work assignments as needed
Processing, canning, freezing Relief Society
Historian Sis Wiebe
Communication and publicity garden blog, Friendshipper, e-mail, ward bulletin Sis Whalen, Sister Tinney, Sister Peck
Crop Specialist advisors Scott summers, Steve Woolf, Mark Anderson,
Special activities Ward Activities committee
It’s that Season again.
Thanks so much to all of you who participated in any way in the Paradise 4th ward “Lord’s Garden”. Last year. You already know of the many blessings that came from that. To the rest of you get, ready to join us this year!!!!!!!.
For your convenience we have a ward garden blog that is managed by Sabrina Whalen. It can be accessed by typing in produceaplenty.blog. and following the areas on the site of interest to you. We will announce planting times and other assignments that are needed on the blog site as well as garden tips submitted by fellow gardeners.
Tentative planting schedule. In general we will try to schedule planting dates on Saturday mornings at 10:00 AM. Everything of course is set in cardboard and not concrete
Our first planting date is set for Saturday morning April 17th and we will plant the onions.
One week later we will plant potatoes. And set up the framework for the plants that we will grow on support wire panels.
Tentative date for the first corn plant is May 8th and we will plant subsequent plantings about every two weeks.
Tentative date for planting pole beans is also May 8th or 15th
Tentative planting dates for tomatoes and winter squash is May 29th
Tomato and pepper plants are scheduled to be planted June 5th
For your convenience we have a ward garden blog that is managed by Sabrina Whalen. It can be accessed by typing in produceaplenty.blog. and following the areas on the site of interest to you. We will announce planting times and other assignments that are needed on the blog site as well as garden tips submitted by fellow gardeners.
Tentative planting schedule. In general we will try to schedule planting dates on Saturday mornings at 10:00 AM. Everything of course is set in cardboard and not concrete
Our first planting date is set for Saturday morning April 17th and we will plant the onions.
One week later we will plant potatoes. And set up the framework for the plants that we will grow on support wire panels.
Tentative date for the first corn plant is May 8th and we will plant subsequent plantings about every two weeks.
Tentative date for planting pole beans is also May 8th or 15th
Tentative planting dates for tomatoes and winter squash is May 29th
Tomato and pepper plants are scheduled to be planted June 5th
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