Mosaic Community Garden August E-Newsletter

August 5, 2013

Good morning everyone,

Take a few moments to see what’s been going on at the garden and stop by to participate in one of the many activities…check it out!

Note, there are several changes regarding workshop dates and times.  Please mark your calendars.

Free Movie Night – A BIG HIT!

More than 110 people attended the Free Movie Night at the Chestnut Street Park yesterday evening.  The day began with a balloon artist making dozens of animals, claws, hats and other neat things out of balloons!  It was amazing to watch him work.  Children stood in line to get a chance at owning one of the wacky balloon items!  Then as the sun set, neighborhood families headed over to the snack table to get their treats and drink in hopes to take a seat right in front of the big screen! Soon after, The Lorax began in high-quality sound on an 12′ screen!  Children and adults alike enjoyed the movie’s message – take responsibility in preserving land, minimizing pollution and planting a seed in order to sustain our neighborhoods in a healthy way!

Community Garden Considered Prize-Worthy X2!

Not only has the MOSAIC Community Garden has been chosen as a finalist for the 2013 Montgomery County Planning Commission Awards but the garden has also been nominated for an award from the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society Greening Project! The Planning Commission judges were very impressed with our garden and the PA Horticulture Society judges are planning to visit the garden in the next few weeks.  Please help the garden look its best by taking extra time to tend to your plots and pathways!

Our Second Community Garden is in the Works!

We are looking for new gardeners and volunteers to join in cultivating our second garden site located at 615 Chestnut Street.  Please tell everyone about the new garden in order to take advantage of some of the great opportunities to grow free of charge this season only!

Early Season Surveys are Long Overdue

There are several gardeners who have yet to hand in a survey.  We need and value your input!!!  So, if you haven’t already, please take an opportunity TODAY to fill out an early season survey.  Copies of the survey are located in the shed. Kindly fill one out today and place it in the envelope marked ‘Completed Surveys’.

Workshop Library Binder

A library of every Adult Gardening Workshop handout will be placed in the binder titled “Workshop Library” for everyone’s use.  

The binder will be located in the shed along with the gardening how-to books.  

Please feel free to take a copy of one of the workshop notes, review the information from time to time as a refresher or to get caught up on the information shared during class.

Mark Your Calendar – there is plenty going on this season at the garden!

Community Garden Work and Play Day (and Family Workshops)

Saturday, August 10, 2013 (rain date is Sunday, August 11, 2013)

9:00 AM – 12 noon

PLEASE NOTE:  The All About Herbs Workshop scheduled for Tuesday, August 13, 2013 will be held at this time. In addition, we will have planting projects for the children to do while the parents attend the workshop.  It’s going to be loads of fun!  Take advantage of the the garden has to offer during these great days in August!

National Night Out (co-sponsored by Genesis Housing)

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

6:30 – 8:30 PM

National Night Out is a an awareness-raising event filled with resources and information on how to decrease crime in our neighborhoods.  NNO is also a day of fun, sharing and is meant to fortify the Pottstown area’s sense of community. Come out that night and show your support!

All About Herbs

This workshop will be held on Saturday, August 10th during the Work and Play Day

Tina will walk us through the many types of herbs grown in the wild and in our gardens! She will explain culinary and medicinal uses of some of our most common herbs and lead a lesson on when and how to use them!  Plan to be there and bring a friend!

Community Garden Work and Play Day/Companion Planting/Year-End Gardening

Saturday, August 24, 2013

9:00 AM – 12 noon

Learn how to set up your garden in a way that best for you and your plants! Uncover tips and tricks on how to keep pesky critters out (in a safe and natural way).  Discover ways to keep your garden growing in the most productive and fruitful way long beyond the typical growing season!  It’s a great time learn and prepare for fall planting!

We work a little and play a lot at the gardens!  This is a time to learn more about community gardens, volunteer to help out or just plain ol’ fellowship with other gardeners who love to get dirty!  There is a great time to be have every other Saturday at the garden!

MOSAIC Produce Stand

Look out for an ad about our stand in the Mercury Newspaper in the next two weeks! The children of the garden will be using the stand to sell produce and other goodies from the gardens and the art program.  Please let me know if you have vegetables throughout the growing season you would like to donate to our youth program that they may sell. The proceeds will be used for additional youth programs/activities.

Garden Tending – Lend Your Neighbor a Helping Hand

Water your garden and your neighbors garden, take time to weed the perimeter of your garden and along the fencing, corral your cucumber plants out of the walking paths, take time to stake a plant that needs a little support whether it’s yours or someone else’s. Every little bit counts!  Let’s continue to live out the definition of a community garden – a single piece of land cared for by a entire community!

Also, you may contact me or a fellow gardener if you will be away, or have a crazy work schedule and need someone to look after your plot.  With the temperatures soaring, your garden plot needs a lil’ attention everyday.

Remember to water before 10:00 AM or after 3:00 PM (watering soil only and not the actual plant) for the best results. 

Call or email me anytime if you have any questions, need garden paperwork, etc. Us garden team members are always here to help!

See ya’ at the gardens,

Laura

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