April Meeting Minutes

Updates

• Approved March minutes
• Bill Joyner presented treasurer’s report
  • We have paid for water, gotten new members –  a few plots remain open
  • Grant update: we have purchased everything except the top soil, which Tyson suggested we buy from Chesapeake Compost Works ($37/cubic yard online)

 

Pond

• Asian tiger mosquito season is approaching and we do not seem to have fish now
• May 11 work day scheduled (see more below), which would be an ideal time for gardeners to work on the pond
  • Micha is donating a new pond liner that we could use to put over the old liner, and a second level with a spillover may be set up using the hard plastic liner currently in the garden
  • A meeting should be scheduled beforehand with those who have expertise and interest in working on the pond to verify that we have everything necessary before that work day to install the pump and set the pond up

 

Bees and the use of chemicals

• In general, anything that kills bugs will kill bees (organic or not).  It is ideal to limit the use of such chemicals
  • Tyson resports that rotenone, diatomaceous earth (DE) and copper sulfate are especially bad
• If insects are a problem in individual plots, it would be best to follow several steps
  • Avoid spraying plants that are actively flowering
  • Do not spray during times of peak bee activity – preferentially treat at night if possible
  • Use your best judgment with spraying and remember that it is not individual bees at risk but the whole colony, as affected bees may not die immediately but instead carry the insecticides back to the hive, and the bees are great pollinators for many of our plants
• Hive placement: it has been suggested that the best pace for the hive may be in the SW corner of the fenced area near the older chicken area

 

Compost

• Not a formal topic of discussion, but 2 things to note
  • Adam contacted the Extension office who said that everything we are doing is acceptable so we do not need to be concerned about violating EPA policy as discussed at the March meeting
  • Eric suggested using at least one rain barrel to make compost tea but putting some compost in a burlap sack in a rain barrel

 

Rats

• Some gardeners reported seeing less rats, which is great.  May be due in part to the hawk that has been visiting the garden.
• Dan would still like to use the fogger and Ed has possibly offered to help
• Continued vigilance with the live-catch traps is also important, especially as more gardeners will be in the garden each day – if you see a rat in a trap, please either “take care of it” or find someone who can.

 

Bongo Square

• Dan Van Allen is looking for volunteers to help to renovate Bongo Square, a park near the stables behind Arlington Street.  The goal is to renovate the area, add a drainage pipe/ditch, add some fence posts, and spread 3 truck loads of wood chips, repaint murals on the gates.  There is some shaded garden space that is open as well for anyone interested.

 

May 11 Volunteer Work Day

• Cassandra and Eric received grant money to install a Yard Guard iron fence on the lot south of Lombard Street, which will not be locked, but will function to deter some unwanted activity and prevent trash from blowing in. 
• To install it, as well as to build some pallet plots or possibly raised beds, and to work on the mural, a volunteer work day has been scheduled through Kristen/Power in Dirt for May 11. 
• That same day, in the fenced portion of the Mt. Clare St. Community Garden we will be working on the pond, as mentioned above.

 

Other Announcements

• From Bill: He has met with Mrs. Liebowitz, the leader of the Garden Club at James McHenry Elementary School.  They may be interested in working with us either in the garden or, more likely, at the school to do some gardening projects.
• From Ed:  We can each individually think about the longterm plans for this group as far as possibly expanding goes, and in what directions
• From Dan: Jamie fixed the wheelbarrow and put a new innertube in the tire.  There is also a sink hole behind the dumpster across from Eric and Cassandra’s plot on the southern side of Lombard, which could be filled with gravel/asphalt during the volunteer day.  Dan is also curating Nature Art in the Park at Leakin Park, which has openings for 3 installations if anyone is interested.  The first look opening will be May 19.
• From Kat: She is adopting a few lots at Carrollton/Fayette and wants to start a garden program there, for anyone interested.
• Next Meeting: May 5 at 5pm in the garden.