Hello everyone – the beds were cut in Saturday and they look really great. Mike Creetch of Interlake Landscaping, our bed preparation volunteer, removed 42 yards of grass and soil. Mike pronounced the soil “loam,” which, according to most gardening websites, is a good thing:
“Loam is the term for a soil that has a favorable mix of sand, silt, and clay. Loam often contains considerable amounts of organic material. It cultivates moderately well and is often fertile. Loam also holds moisture fairly well with reasonably good drainage. All in all, most gardeners prefer to garden in loam or sandy loam. However all soils can be improved for gardening by adding organic matter such as compost.”
Which is exactly what happens next - Mike has a supply of compost at his yard and he will be delivering it over the next week or so. Scout volunteers will be helping move it into the beds, after which the compost will be mixed into the soil with a roto-tiller. After this has all been accomplished (which I expect will be done by the end of the month), the soil will be ready for planting of those vegetable seeds that can germinate right in the soil in this cool weather. These include spinach, radish, Swiss chard, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, parsnips, peas, rutabaga and turnips.
If you have not already done so, you should be collecting your egg cartons and purchasing seeds and potting soil to begin germinating seedlings for the vegetables you want to plant, beginning in May. I have a couple of great sources of information for anyone who may need it.
Sam Misuraca, President of Oak Ridge Management in Royal Oak, MI, has graciously donated $100 toward the purchase of seeds. If your group would like to take advantage of this offer, please submit receipts for up to $15 worth of seeds and we will reimburse you. Stop by the office of Waterford Insurance Agency and speak with Cathy Grandberry. While you are here, take a look at the latest garden developments.
If anyone has any questions or needs help, please drop me a line at rberkfield@berkfield.com.
“Loam is the term for a soil that has a favorable mix of sand, silt, and clay. Loam often contains considerable amounts of organic material. It cultivates moderately well and is often fertile. Loam also holds moisture fairly well with reasonably good drainage. All in all, most gardeners prefer to garden in loam or sandy loam. However all soils can be improved for gardening by adding organic matter such as compost.”
Which is exactly what happens next - Mike has a supply of compost at his yard and he will be delivering it over the next week or so. Scout volunteers will be helping move it into the beds, after which the compost will be mixed into the soil with a roto-tiller. After this has all been accomplished (which I expect will be done by the end of the month), the soil will be ready for planting of those vegetable seeds that can germinate right in the soil in this cool weather. These include spinach, radish, Swiss chard, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, parsnips, peas, rutabaga and turnips.
If you have not already done so, you should be collecting your egg cartons and purchasing seeds and potting soil to begin germinating seedlings for the vegetables you want to plant, beginning in May. I have a couple of great sources of information for anyone who may need it.
Sam Misuraca, President of Oak Ridge Management in Royal Oak, MI, has graciously donated $100 toward the purchase of seeds. If your group would like to take advantage of this offer, please submit receipts for up to $15 worth of seeds and we will reimburse you. Stop by the office of Waterford Insurance Agency and speak with Cathy Grandberry. While you are here, take a look at the latest garden developments.
If anyone has any questions or needs help, please drop me a line at rberkfield@berkfield.com.
Mr. Berkfield, I live not too far from your office and am very interested in adopting a plot. I will stop in to your office for details and will bring in my insurance policies for you to quote. Thank you so much for supporting our community with action and not just talk.
ReplyDeleteKM