important news about raspberries

Important if, like me, you want as many raspberries as possible! Francisco shared with me a couple of tips about raspberries. First, when picking, it's important that you also take off the spongy white center that the berry slides out of and that wants to stay on the branch. If you leave it on the plant, it thinks it still has a berry there and doesn't need to make more. If you take that part off, then it will be more likely to replace that berry. Also, especially with the wet weather, the raspberries are making lots of new foliage. For best results, this new growth (it has smaller, brighter leaves and is at the top of the plant) should be removed. This is easy to do, even with bare hands. Those of us who have been picking berries, maybe we can all remember to do these two things.

Duck update

Hello ... Today, Francisco told me that he thinks mama duck laid a couple of eggs and at least one hatched. He has heard baby duck-type sounds coming from the weedy area along the north wall of the building. He made a little puddle in case she needs a small pool for her duckling(s). For now, we should probably steer clear of that area. If you have to work there, ask Francisco for some ways to mask your scent so we don't scare mama duck.

Stuffed Grape Leaves

We took advantage of the abundant grape vine and made delicious stuffed grape leaves last night. Found the recipe at http://greekfood.about.com/od/appetizerssalads/r/leavesmeatrice.htm. We picked 40 grape leaves and made half the recipe, using ground lamb from the 61st St. Farmers Mkt, brown rice (mostly precooked), and a 1/2 tsp of allspice. Be sure to pick leaves no larger than a hand's breadth and from the ends of the vines so they're tender. To prepare the leaves, trim the stems, wash them and layer them in a large pot, sprinkling with 2 tsp sea salt. Pour boiling water over them, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. Then they're ready to fill. Delicious!

Garden Gate Lubricated

Matt lubricated the garden gate latch and it closes very easily now. Hopefully, that will help.

common tomato

Just to let everyone know, one of the tomatoes I put in the common plot was faring very badly (at best leaf spot maybe?) so I pulled it out preemptively. The others are looking much better and this one was in *extremely bad shape (wasn't up for trying to rescue it, questionable if it could have been). Sorry if it was unnecessary -- I'm possibly being a little paranoid with the talk of blight this year. Anyway, no thief at work!

Compost News?

Any news on the compost? Is any usable/available?

raspberries are ready

I was out there this morning and picked a few raspberries in the plot that's to the south of mine. There are a lot more still ripening and probably ready over the next few days. Let's share them! If you're not sure if they're ready, see if they come off with a gentle tug. If it takes more than that, they probably need another day or so (just in case anyone didn't know that). Enjoy -- let's get them before the rabbits do.

Cross Post

Hey, garden neighbors!! I posted a little something about a recent revelation I had in the garden on my personal blog, and wanted to share it here, too. Feel free to click this link if you are interested---it isn't strictly garden-related, but I thought you might enjoy. And if anyone DOES have some good weeding advice (you'll know what I mean if you read the post), well, feel free to pass it along!

another volunteer day?

Hello ...

It's been suggested that we do another volunteer effort. Here are some things needing attention:

1) Weeding in the common areas, such as the perimeter, and areas of brick that aren't under anyone's particular care

2) Sorting the sheds and, in the shed for smaller tools, determining if anything should be tossed. For the large tool shed, it's more about untangling the tools so they're not falling out. Also, getting a sense of what's wearing out (like some of the gloves).

3) Should we address the "free for all" pile by the back door? Can it be better organized? Do some things need to go away?

4) Identifying any other hoses that need to be repaired, or any other "issues."

5) Anything else you'd like to suggest?

Which is generally better for this -- Saturday or Sunday? I'm out of town this coming weekend -- who's available the 26th or 27th?

Thanks!

Hi, hope everyone's gardening is going well.

I noticed in the shared herb area a few of us have put left-over seedlings (there were 4 tomatoes, to which I added some, a cucumber or two and a squash, etc) so it's probably full up for now. I've done a bit of weeding and will try to get some mulch in there as the soil is pretty heavy.

Also, in the area just to the south of my spot, I put some lettuce seeds in, and noted the area with string. Please consider as communal once it comes up i.e. help yourself.

I've been trying to pull out weeds etc. in the sidewalk areas--does anyone have a good strategy for doing this as I"m having a hard time getting the roots out and the weeds are coming in fast and furious (I'm letting the arugula grow and picking it for salad; hope no one minds)?

Finally, the kids' area looks like it is getting a lot of use. Wondering if maybe a sign (made by some of the kids?) could be put up just so we all know the area... let me know if you want to take this on.

happy green thumbs to all,

Laura

Compost Status?

I'm just wondering about the status of the compost. Should we get a larger provisional container for new scraps or should I stop bringing them? Is our first batch almost ready?! Thanks.

Grapes

It seems that the grapes need to be trellised. I can do the work, if someone is willing to obtain the trellis. If there is consensus on it, I'm happy to ask Jennifer if this is something we could fund out of the fees. Thoughts?