the garden in early June

Early June in the garden

Record Journal column

yesterday there was a guest column in the Ferndale Record Journal about the garden and since their site is under constuction ...i post it here....

Friendship Community Garden

The Friendship Community Garden is starting the 3^rd year of production. It is located on Ferndale Road, south of Pioneer Park just past the parking lot and in front of the Bergsma House. I encourage folks to come and have a look. Progress is also being documented in pictures and video at ferndalecommunitygarden.blogspot.com.

The garden is off to a great start this year with a newly planted apple orchard and the addition of a greenhouse. We have had a cool spring so hopefully the greenhouse will help jump start some of the plantings.

In the fall of 2007 volunteers from Alcoa helped get the plots ready to plant. During the first year, youth from around Whatcom County, participating in the WorkSource career camp program, helped construct the garden’s pavilion. Volunteers constructed a garden shed for tools and supplies on site. Many businesses have donated materials and citizens have donated time to make this beautiful garden happen.

A 7 ft tall metal centipede sculpture watches over the garden. It was purchased from the Bellingham Technical College’s 2007 Welding Rodeo, donated to the school and came to live in the garden. The garden also received a great new sculpture last year from Gary Pavone, a Ferndale High School student working as an intern through WorkSource.

Last year the giving garden, planted specifically for the Ferndale Food bank, provided 1124 pounds of fresh food to the food bank. Ten families planted a cornfield and potatoes, in addition to their plots. They realized 134 ears of corn and 30 lbs of potatoes per family.

Garden education workshops and demonstrations have been taught by Master Gardeners. I had the pleasure of attending one last year, with kids from the Boys and Girls Club, as they learned about worm composting with “hands on” creation of worm bins.

To inquire about garden plots or volunteer opportunities contact Gloria Perez at: rainglo@comcast.net (updated 2011)

Apple orchard planting and more....

Yesterday ten apple trees were planted by students from Windward High School. They also helped with other garden tasks. Thanks everybody!!!!

Apple orchard planting

and a couple catch up photos from April.....

spring photos catch-up...April 18

winter catch up and spring work party

here are a few photos from february 5th when we went over to plan the new orchard

planning the new orchard

and on to the beautiful day in the garden on March 6th and a very productive work party....the garden is off to a great start!!!!!!

Garden work party

and here are a few moments at the garden including the kids who knew just what to do with the sawdust pile

Saturday

I had a nice visit to the garden today.... I met Sarah and she told me about the corn field and potatoes that were planted this year by 10 families. This was in addition to their plots. They realized 134 ears of corn and 30 lbs of potatoes per family. WOW! I caught a photo of her magnificent red lettuce and we had a laugh about what used to pass for lettuce and what is required now...

the garden on the first day of national community garden week

AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK PROCLAIMS AUGUST 23-29 AS NATIONAL COMMUNITY GARDENING WEEK

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today encouraged Americans to connect with the land, the food it grows and their local communities by proclaiming August 23-29, National Community Gardening Week. A community garden is an opportunity to educate everyone about from where food comes, whether that is a Farmers Market or a garden, and is important to increasing generations of healthy eaters. Community gardens can be anywhere whether it is in the country, a city or a suburb. It can be one community plot or can be many individual plots. full story

july in the garden....

a few photos on my peaceful break from the booth.....what a pleasure...


and ...i recieved these beautiful photo from Kathy Preszler....thanks Kathy!!!!