7/8 Workday Summary

Dear West 104th Street Gardeners:

Wednesday’s work evening was very well attended. We covered a number of issues, among them: 1) the status of electrical access in the garden, 2) the addition of new garden plots, 3) addition of benches to the west side of the garden 4) the soon-to-be installed ballot boxes (one each on east and west sides) and 5) a ballot was held to accept or reject Sue Archambault and Alan Tenney to the Steering Committee and, 6) the need to put out the Open Garden sign when one is monitoring.

Establishing Electrical Power in the East Garden
Jean Jaworek spoke about having been referred to an electrician used who works for the Jewish Home for the Aged (W 106th), Singer Electric. Singer is going to make an on-site evaluation and deliver ideas about how to secure power for the garden.

New Ballot System
Alan Tenney and Susan Archambault will design and install weather-resistant balloting boxes in both the west and east gardens.

New Garden Plots
Peter Bazeli led a discussion regarding the pros and cons of the 2 proposed plans for new garden plots to accommodate people waiting for plots (currently on the waiting list). To paraphrase, both versions involved the use of area along the southeastern area of the eastern garden. One included using space behind the sheds, the other did not. Plans were handed out for reference. Gardeners’ discussion was lively and included the issue of whether it was practical to have 4′ beds without more than one–in some cases–aisle access. Another major consideration was whether or not the area behind the sheds was a good choice for new beds because of limited growing light and the projected need for those spaces to be used for storage purposes.

Several constructive ideas were offered. For example, the use of stepping stones was suggested in instances where access to a deep bed is limited. This idea was embraced by the majority and Peter agreed to include in schematically in the final sketch.

After a lively debate for some 20 minutes the plan to install new beds along the fence only, was approved unanimously by those in attendance. Thus, this will be the plan that is offered to the entire membership by paper ballot as soon as the new system is in place. There will be paper ballots available in the east and west gardens for 2 weeks from the date they are made available. Please know you can vote by proxy if you know you will not be here. The balloting will take place in both the east and west sections of the garden (see new ballot system above). If the Membership approves the plan, it will then be submitted to Green Thumb for approval.

New Garden Benches for West Garden
Penny Donnenfeld and Susan Yarnell have volunteered to procure new benches for the west garden seating area. They will report back with their progress.

Susan Archambault and Alan Tenney were voted unanimously to the Steering Committee.

Using the Open Garden Sign
Monitoring members were reminded to put out the Open Garden sign during their shifts.

Work ReCap
Thanks to the 30-odd members who were able to attend the meeting on Wednesday, we accomplished a lot. We weeded the rose garden; the gravel paved meeting area; the gazebo bed and tree wells on the east side; mowed the lawns and transplanted plants. The grassy fringe around the garden plots and communal beds was whipper-snipped.

On-Going Tasks
Robin Mace volunteered to pick-up grass seed and fertilizer from Home Depot. Jean Jaworek said the maintenance committee would attend to the reinforcement of the fence and the rat hole on the West Side. Frank and Jean will be launching the rain collection project to involve runoff from the gazebo roof to barrels opposite those already in place on the east side in the next few weeks. Lou volunteered to ask Larry to touch up the Open Garden signs.

If you couldn’t make it….
kindly notify me at jvrana@verizon.net for a make-up assignment.

Watering
Now that the rain has diminished and we can expect warmer temperatures (?), don’t forget to water your beds and the communal beds–if you have a few extra minutes.

October Workday/Winter Wrapup

The Saturday Oct. 18 workday was one of our most productive!

Garden members:

1. Pushed wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow of soil up the hill from the East to the West garden, where it was deposited in communal beds and spread over the main and maze lawns. The East garden beds and lawns were treated as well. The dirt mountain is now just a hill.—This was hard labor! Special thanks to the mountain movers. (Also to the anonymous “promoter” who pinned a sign to the hill, “Potting soil–$1,” before the Fall Festival.)

2. Cleared, cleaned, and reorganized the shed in the East garden, which had gotten to be a jumble. Much needed housekeeping.

3. Decorated the garden with hay bales, old and new dolls, skeletons, a spider, pumpkin and ghost balloons, etc. for the Fall Festival. Seasonably scary.

4. Put together yet another bench. Hurray.

Thanks to everyone who pitched in that Saturday –and to those who worked on the mountain by themselves the week before.

There’s a lot more to be done to close down the garden for winter.

Come out this weekend; the weather is gorgeous!

The Steering Committee

Notes on Sunday Work Meeting

Hi Gardeners,

We had a good turn out for Sunday’s meeting and workday. Thanks to all of you who were there and those who emailed! We covered a lot of ground during the meeting (summarized below). During the work session members finished putting together the benches and weeded the communal gardens on the East side. On the West side others (enthusiastically) uprooted and cut up a dead bush, spread dirt left by Law and Order, uprighted plants beaten down by the rain and wind in the communal bed, and weeded the lawn. A good day’s work!

The next meeting and workday is Sat., October 18.

Cheers,

Ann Levine
For the Steering Committee

DECISIONS AND PLANS:

· Theft. Rather than install surveillance cameras (as one member suggested), we will put up a sign in each garden saying: “Do not pick anything! This garden is under surveillance.”

· Moving the stage: We decided to form a subcommittee to investigate what would be required and different possibilities, as well as the pros and cons, to present to garden members on/around our November meeting. *** Volunteers for the committee needed—esp. people with experience in garden design or staging and those with a special interest in this decision. Alan Tenney will be the organizer. Please send RSVP to me (Ann): Siswi@aol.com.

· Dirt. The West garden needs soil badly. Decision on whether to purchase or to collect ourselves, from the Central Park supply, postponed until we have prices. (Ariel is researching this.)

· Electricity. Instead of purchasing a generator for use in construction, etc., we will contact The Bridge about paying them for using their outlet.

· Fall celebration. There was some confusion on the calendar. We will hold one festival on Sun. October 26, possibly combining a flea market, Halloween party, and music. (Details up to Events Committee.)

· Garden expenditures. For purchases up to $200, members should get permission in advance from the Steering Committee. Expenditures over $200 require the membership to vote.

Notes from Wednesday Garden meeting

Hello gardeners!

Many thanks to all you who showed up for the work meeting Wednesday eve, and those of you who emailed. The work session was incredibly productive: a cracker-jack team replaced rotting boards in the gazebo, others mowed lawns, separated rocks from dirt, tied roses and raspberries back, Sarah Kavka and her daughter, new members, worked on expanding the herb garden, with more plants to come, and so much more. Bravo to all.

For those of you who are eager to help out but couldn’t make the session, we’ll send out a separate email of things still needing done. Meantime, please be sure the plants in the communal gardens are watered.

And please support upcoming events: On Saturday, June 21, the garden will be filled with music in a celebration of the summer solstice, all part of Make Music New York. It starts up with a session for kids at 11 a.m. with Vita Wallace, a member and classical musician who will lead kids in a session with instruments they make themselves, followed by jazz (1-4) and classical music (4-5.15).

Again, thanks for your support. Below, you’ll find condensed updates from various committee heads — please take time to read, if you weren’t at the meeting.

All best,
Suzanne Charle’ for the Steering Committee

Budget:

Marcia Berry, Jean and Alan Tenney will be getting together to create a template for the future. Anyone interested should get in touch with them.

A vote is being taken on Julia Soledispa’s proposal that the communal gardens be given $150 each (for a total of $300). Votes sent to Mary Kelly by those who weren’t at the meeting by June 21 will be added to those at the meeting. A decision will be announced soon after the deadline.

Committee updates:

Communal gardens:

A few reminders: In both gardens, please do not store personal seeds (which might attract rodents).
Please don’t store personal gear in the sheds.

If you want to work on the communal beds or put something in the beds, please see the heads of the committees (Lou Ludyny in the East Garden; Julia Soledispa and Suzanne Charle’ in the West) and they’ll be able to point you in the right direction. Each section of the garden has a ‘chief gardener’ who is overseeing that section.

During heat waves, please everyone take time to water a part of the communal gardens–deep, so the roots go deep.

In the East Garden, rocks were separated from the dirt, which has been spread out. Please help bring the remaining rocks behind the sheds in the garden–ask Lou if you have questions.

Herb garden:

Larry Lewis and Florice Peterkin are heading the effort. Please work with them.

Raspberries are beginning to come into season–you might want to have your kids taste a few.

There are still some spots that need herbs–please consider buying a plant of your favorite herb and asking Florice or Larry where is best to plant.

Sarah Kavka, a new member, is establishing a beach head in the vinca minor section, so there will be even more herbs.

Compost:

In each garden there are places to put your green material (pls., no weeds and no sticks or branches.) There is a marked garbage barrel next to the composter in the East Garden, and a cage at the back of the shade garden in the West Garden. This material will eventually be shredded and put into the composter.

Please, no food or kitchen scraps, which will attract rats.

Lou will show those interested how to use the composter.

Events:

1) This Saturday, the Flea Market takes place. Julia is the head.

2) Next Saturday, Make Music NY, with free music in the garden, starting with a children’s program at 11. Please contact Rolando if you know musicians who want to play.

3) A Fall Festival planned for Saturday October 18th. This will incorporate flea market, maybe music, apple/pumpkin sales, all in garden. It will replace block party (too complicated) and perhaps Halloween party…to be determined.

4) There will be Jean’s Can-Can (Jean?) holiday/carol event sometime in December.

5) Proposing MayDay party for opening garden season in Spring, with maypole dancing…

Garbage:

Please remember to take out all picnic garbage, food containers and dispose of outside the garden so we don’t attract rats.

Please take out all large boxes that you might bring in.

Lawnmowing Committee:

We have one usable mower and are keeping it in the West Garden shed. A new mower will be bought soon. Please be sure to clean off the blades after you have used the mowers, so the blades remain sharp.

Please don’t cut the grass too short during heat waves.

Membership and monitoring:

Pam Wax has been doing a great job, and has almost completed the membership and committee lists. Some people will be asked to be on other committees, that don’t have enough people. Monitoring times need to be honored; if you can’t, it’s your responsibility to find someone to take your place.Please be sure that you have signed up for two monitoring days. Kitty Crooks has the schedule.

Pruning:

Janice will be pruning the street trees in front of the west garden once the weather isn’t so hot.

Rose Committee update:

Lucille notes that committee has be resetting the maze, and branches have been tied up.
We will be attaching new signs shortly, and fertilizing all plantings when first blooms
have finished to set up repeating cycles on all.

The roses have been particularly bountiful this year. Please take time to smell our roses.

Repairs Committee:

Frank and Jean and their crew repaired rotten floor boards in the gazebo. The shed in the West Garden still needs to have a broken screw drilled out before one of the door can open. Repairs of beds continue apace.

Tree pits:

Alan Tenney has been in touch with the contractor Rob Hoover, who will be building the tree surrounds. Unfortunately, the work has been slowed by a (I hope) mild eye injury to his assistant. Rob hopes to have the tree pits installed by the end of June. Alan will maintain a dialogue with Rob and keep you updated.

Water Barrels:

Only the people on the water barrel committee can fill the water barrels. Please see Lou or one of the other water barrel committee members for instructions if you’re interested in being able to access the hose and fire hydrant.

Website update:

Noreen Whysel, the grand creator of the website reports:

URL: http://www.west104garden.org
Blog site: http://west104garden.wordpress.com (used for news)
Photo site: http://flickr.com/photos/26803601@N05/
Calendar site: Pending, probably will be GoogleApps, since we already have an account there.

We would love more pictures of recent events, photographer & people/subjects identified.

If anyone wants to write a blurb about annual events, the memorial rose arbor or fireman’s plot, let Noreen know.

We also had a request to put in an article about organic composting and pest control, but we don’t have any details. Please send along if you have the information.