Dirty Darlins!

Work Day #2: The day was beautiful today and everybody felt it. There were 8 plus adults out at New Day today and at least 5 kiddos out there this afternoon. The kids were so much help! Luke, "the man" as he referred to himself (7 years old) was eager to swing the shovel with the big men, dig dirt and water plants. He named a tomato plant "droopy" because it got a little dry but assured me that "it would pop back up again real soon." Sierra was helping with some signage, and Autry - in her star spangelled banner jump suit - was carefully shoveling one small shovel at a time into the wheel barrow ... until she discovered that it was fun to cover yourself in compost. Thanks to Keep Austin Beautiful, we had a fresh load of dirt, still steaming. This entertained the kids for hours (literally) while we all chipped in to fill a few more beds. Thanks to Doug for generously loaning us your wheelbarrow and to Belinda for donating one! We are so grateful. The beds are almost all done and spoken for. We only have one 1/2 bed left and we have a sponsor so if if anyone knows anybody that could really use the bed to grow food, please let us know.

Day After Creation

I’m so tired and sore today, however … the fellowship and community spirit of the whole gang at New Day Community Garden is keeping me going this Monday morning. Yesterday we began creating our garden, and it was such a fantastic experience. I rarely have the opportunity to participate in something that turns out to be completely selfless. Even though people ultimately joined the community garden to get their own plot and grow their own vegetables, there was a sense of common ownership of the whole project yesterday, rather than individuals showing up to take care of their space.

At least 50 people of all ages and abilities showed up to participate in turning an empty field behind the Austin Baha’i Center into 20 or so raised beds. Right from the beginning it was obvious the group intention was to participate in creating a collective vision. A children’s garden and a food bank garden were completed first as examples for the rest of the plots, while others measured and laid out the plans and materials for the individual gardens. Tools & equipment, food & water, dirt, gloves, childcare, even shoes were shared by all. It wasn’t up to the individual to manage his or her area, it was up to everyone to make sure a community garden was born.

As of this morning, some of the plots are ready for planting, but most haven’t been fully completed. I definitely need more coffee, and if the massage fairy wanted to make a visit to my cubicle, I wouldn’t turn her away. There is still A LOT of work to be done. But by the weekend, my family and I will be rested and ready to do it all over again. I’m confident the gathering of the NDCG family on the next work day will be just as great. And, by the way, we need you if you want to be part of it! A few plots are still available.

(blog courtesy of Grace)

O' Happy Day!

Sunday, March 27th we saw a beautiful community effort at New Day Community Garden. We accomplished a ton. Here are some pictures from the event - enjoy!!

Here is a look at our first two prototype beds - the children's garden and the food pantry garden that will be maintained by all the gardeners.

First, we had to cut all of the wire panels in half - serious, noisy work that actually started on Saturday. Props to Roger and Doug for spending a good chunk of time doing this. Good thing we had an unnexpected cold front because that would have been a terrible job in the sun!

The second step was to get all the beds sectioned off, then dig trenches and lay the pathways. This took some real team effort to keep everything lined up...

If you build it, the compost will come.

The lovely team Azadi/Foroughi getting flattening carboard for the bottom of the beds, as you can see in the next pic:

Grace was there for several hours on Saturday and allll day Sunday - you go girl!

Neighbors like Lars and Lauren and their sweet boys even showed up to lend a hand (and a cutter)... thanks guys!

The first dirt was thrown in the children's garden by our youngest farmers, Mabel and Jubilee's Bahai children's class.

Once the wire was bent into shape and hammered into the ground, hay was used to line the beds. Then the dirt - sometimes it all just came together at once as you see here!

The lovely Lida keeping everyone caffeinated.

Some tough "garden hoes" strategizing.

We weren't afraid to give children pick-axes...... Just kidding, how did Roan get this!?

Meyers telling his little brother a tale of the mysterious Indian peppers....

And a closer look of the finished product!

Cori to Max: "Farmer boy, put my peppers in place, please!"

Hector, the strong.

Faith and Rose

Boone and Otis Joon :)

James proudly standing atop a mound of freshly dumped dirt. Soon it will be green!

Come dig! This Sunday!!!

Good news!  We are moving forward on digging in this Sunday, March 27th at 9:00 am.  We will want as many members, family and friends to join us so we can collectively create our community garden.  We will not have water yet for the gardens, and will have to bring in our own water for the first few weeks until we can install the irrigation.

Here are some things to bring:

1)  Your application, membership fee, and plot dues if you have not already gotten them to Rose
2)  Cardboard boxes that we will use to lay out, overlap and cover with soil for each person's garden beds
3)  Tools:  shovels, hoes, rakes, hoses, pick axes, cutters, watering cans, gloves, sun block, etc....
4)  Shared items like soil, mulch, compost, seeds, organic fertilizers -- the Sustainable Food Center will provide free seeds to anyone who requests - contact Rose if you would like some.
5)  Pallets, chicken wire, nails, hammer, wire to build compost pile
6) Water and snacks

See you soon!
Garden Hose

Fun Events!

Hi Ya'll -- Gardeners around Austin are getting busy with the coming of Spring. There are all kinds of fun events happening in Austin if you are so inclined. Here are just a few opportunities:



Saturday, March 12th, 7-9 pm:
Showing of The Incredible Journey of the Butterflies at Unity Park Garden. Here is a link to this:

rrcommunitygardens.ning.com/events/movie-screening-the-incredible

Saturday, March 19th, 10-4 pm:
A Passion for Plants: East Austin Garden Fair
@ 5200 Bolm Road, just east of Airport Blvd.
Family Oriented Fair organized by Travis County Master Gardeners and a whole lot of other folks!

I'm guessing the last event will be a great place to buy starts and seeds and get inspiration!

-Garden Hose

Planning Meeting and Gardner Applications

The weather is getting beautiful and I'm sure you're getting anxious to get your hands dirty. Good news! Thanks to all those that helped with outreach almost all the beds are spoken for and we will be having a meeting open to all who have joined on March 20th to finalize the dig-in plans. We need your input to make it happen so we hope you can make it. If you have not sent your application already, please send it soooon - otherwise we may have to give the bed to the next gardener. The application and associated forms can be found in the handbook located on this blog. If you have sent it - thank you! We have it. 

Thanks,
Garden Hose