Attendance on Zoom: Pam, Bill, Caroline, Stephen, Helen
- There are 3 gardens at Pam’s. The Potato garden is a larger one, called the Butterfly Garden. Potatoes are about 10 rows 49 feet long and 3 beds of onions. Blueberry garden has 180 plants; some have died from heat exhaustion and will be replaced. School garden is being prolific; we need wire, hoops and beds until we can solve the animal product. Caroline has a heavier remay she can contribute. Stephen hopes to finish the Butterfly garden. There is room for winter squash. We will let a community member grow lots of pumpkins, which he has agreed to donate.
- Drip irrigation: we finally got the grant money and purchased a gas fired water pump to bring it up from the river and also to pump it out of the tank.Anyone who can go to the tennis court and water would be helpful. Stephen has to figure out how to patch the connections before we can get water. Brooks might be able to get there again soon.
- Pam has experience pumping from the river on a larger scale, but will give Stephen advice on how to do that best. In an emergency (now) just pump up and go right to the beds immediately.
- Drip irrigation will be coming Thursday. Pam connected us with Eric Whitney, who ordered everything we need to attach the Blueberry and Butterfly gardens with drip irrigation. Stephen will pick that up Thursday. Rain is predicted for 1/2” on Thursday. Not enough.
- Food Distribution Plan: The residential community that received a bed has decided to teach their residents to garden, and want help learning how to do that. Helen will go down Friday to give them direction on how to do that.
- Another family is helping water and harvest food which will be distributed tomorrow at the Al Nelson food pantry. Chard and lettuce are ready to harvest.
- Rhubarb is ready to harvest and Pam wants to donate it.
- Helen will harvest rhubarb and strawberry for the community supper.
- Shed building: Stephen texted Stephen Denault and they are working on a plan to work on the shed. We will postpone this project. Caroline might have a brother who might help out with construction. He is a good carpenter. Stephen is also bringing his son and he is a good worker and can help in a few weeks.
- We discussed the benefits of being a zookeeper. Caroline’s brother is a kilt-wearing zookeeper. Website: Helen will work on it for June launch and stamfordvt.org
- Questionnaire to members: we want to ask members what they are willing and able to do for these projects. We want to have a sense of how much interest there is among folks. Our core group of about six people needs expansion. Pam described lots of work, then did the planting; since the planting there isn’t much to do except water or weeding; now that irrigation is coming work is minimal now. Need for help comes in spurts. Stephen agreed we were helped significantly by groups of volunteers. We need other events scheduled. Caroline agrees the a scheduled event is what works. Stephen says it will be easier when the infrastructure is in place. Helen added that many people want more information on how to grow their veggies. Pam listed jobs to do in the gardens. Fence, tomato staking, we could do another day at North Branch.
NEXT MEETING: 2 WEEKS on TUESDAY JUNE 23 AT 6PM ON ZOOM. SEE AGENDA IN EMAIL FOR DETAILS FORTHCOMING.
NOTE: THERE WILL BE A WORK DAY AND WORKSHOPS AT NORTH BRANCH COMMUNITY GARDENS ON SATURDAY JUNE 20. DETAILS ARE FORTHCOMING.
SAVE THE DATE: SATURDAY JUNE 20 WORKSHOPS.
Stamford VT Seed Savers 