The Worm Moon

The full moon in March falls on Thursday March 8th and is the commonly known as the Worm Moon in Native American culture. This is because, at this time of year, as the soil softens and warms worm casts may be seen on the surface. The worms perfectly provide food for birds which are nesting and so begins a new cycle of life. This moon is also known as the Sap Moon because at this moment sap is rising in many trees that are about to leaf out very soon.

In the Center Avenue Community Garden we have just constructed our third potato tower. In this one we planted All Blue potatoes donated to the garden by Ron along with other heirloom varieties. These were all certified organic seed potatoes and hopefully we will be able to save seed and grow them again next year. We would love to hear from anyone who has been successfully growing their own, perhaps unnamed, variety locally for years and would have advice, and or, seed to share.

We planted 6 seed potatoes in this 3' dia. wire cage

Mike shovelling our CACG produced soil mix

We also added a planting strip on each side of the Mulberry branch arbor. This will allow us to grow Scarlet Runner Beans which will be supported by the structure. The bright red flowers are decorative and attract Hummingbirds.

Compost Update

One of our compost bins is ready to use. Thanks to Ysidro for his work in monitoring and assisting the process. We are open to food scraps in small quantities. They need to be covered immediately as we do not want to attract rodents or flies. This especially for the sake of our neighbors. 

On the subject of our respect for immediate neighbors we did receive a complaint about our manure pile last month. We have now covered the pile with tree chips and halted all deliveries to CACG.

Rhiannon adding scraps and weeds to the compost pile

Abundant Harvest

We are getting a few Snap Peas. They are deliciously sweet eaten raw straight off the vine, so please try some. In the warmer weather more flowers mean more peas. The more we pick them the more they will produce and the pods taste better when young.  We are also harvesting: Lettuce, Kale, Collards, Swiss Chard, White Turnips, Onion tops, Parseley  Brocolli and Carrots.

Jim harvested these vegetables at CACG on Saturday

This is the omlette he made from them on Sunday

One Year Ago at CACG

We were building the top row of raised beds on March 5th last year

Andre and Jozef spreading manure

AT MPC

On February  22nd we enjoyed an inpromptu Bees 101 class at 2421 Center Avenue. A few friends had asked what equipment is needed to begin beekeeping. About 8 in all, they gathered around and a kind of show and tell ensued. It was unexpected, informal and fun ... we might have another soon.

At Chicken Cottage egg laying has suddenly increased. We are glad that the girls took a break during the winter. Then, one day last week, we were gifted with 6 eggs! They average now is 3-4 eggs per day.

On March 4th I reappropriated about 12 pounds of honey from the Spa Bees. This is a horizontal hive located about 8 feet above the ground near our spa. It is a little early in the year to be harvesting honey. This was a new colony established from a swarm last June. There was not enough honey stored by last October to guarantee a sufficient larder to get them through the winter so I didn't take any. They have always been a very strong hive. Apparently they have adequate numbers of foraging bees to put away honey through this late winter period. So much so that the hive space was full and I took some from near the entrance area where there were no brood cells.

Entrance to the Spa Bees

Honey Comb before crushing and straining

New Water Tanks

Still not quite in position and  hooked up to the downspouts so we missed the .75" of rainfall last week. Soon!

David