Vegetable Garden Ministry
5/28/2020
How Does Our Garden Grow?
Saturday, May 23- Mary, Ofel, Mike, & Marco donned on their goulashes and trekked through the garden on a cloudy and mild Saturday morning. Thanks to the drainage pipe the East Lake is history! Odds and ends were attended. Marco tried to weed till but the mud put an early end to the tilling.
All the potatoes have been harvested. We learned that furrowing is a must for keeping the potatoes feet dry. We'll get them next year! Marco had a total of 2 potato harvests from each plant. New potatoes formed on the stem as mulch was mounted on the stem. The harvest was bountiful. (Pictured: Baby potatoes forming on the stem. 2nd harvest, 4 plants in total.)
Cucumber bugs are back! See info below.
Gardening is for the soul!
Cucumber beetles
Pictured: Clutch of cucumber beetle eggs (no bueno!)
Photo cred: Marco M.
Squash Vine Borers
When your squash is thriving and suddenly starts to wilt... the culprit is probably the squash vine borer. The plants wilt because larvae is boring (burrowing) into the lower part of the stems.
Found throughout the eastern United States, squash vine borers attack squash, zucchini, pumpkins, and gourds.
The borers overwinter in soil as pupae in cocoons. When the adult moths emerge in early to mid-summer, they lay eggs singly or in small groups at the base of plant stems. The eggs will hatch within 1 to 2 weeks of being laid. The larvae will then bore into stems to feed for about 2 to 4 weeks; sometimes they may also bore into the fruit.
If caught early, it’s possible to save the plant. If caught after the eggs hatch, it may be too late. Controlling the squash vine borer is mainly about prevention.
Picture & info from: https://www.almanac.com/pest/squash-vine-borer. Thank you to Marco for ID of this bug in our garden & Mary for the additional info on our unwanted garden guest.
(Pictured: If you see the adult squash vine borer moth, beware that it is probably laying eggs!)
Watering Woes
The handles for the water faucets have been removed and are stored in the small shed on the left side at eye level height. Re-attach to access the water and please remove the handle and return to the shed when finished.
Why? A small group of non-gardeners utilized the garden hoses to supply water for some slip n slide fun! While we do encourage fun at the garden, we must be good stewards of our resources. The church pays for the water that is used at the garden.
(Pro tip: twist the numbers around a bit on the shed lock after closing. This will help to keep the combo safe & secure! Thank you.)
Something to look forward to..
1. Experimenting with a winter cover crop staring in October and till under before going to seed. It will build the soil, reduce erosion, improve water retention properties and attract beneficial insects.
2. Test solarization benefits of a small plot in August. Somewhere on the north side.
3. Contour farming will be used when cover crop is tilled under and new furrows set up. Anticipated time around January.
4. An electric circuit installation for the tractor shed was approved. The new circuit will assist with machine repairs and provide flood lights. More info to follow.
5. Soil tested and Ph determined to be ideal (between 6-7).
Photo Gallery
Kale seed
Comments? Suggestions?
Responses to this newsletter will be delivered to stmvgm@gmail.com. Email and newsletter managed by Katharine Norman 817-360-5856.
Please contact one of the Board Members listed below for current garden "to-dos", questions, comments, suggestions, etc.
Vegetable Garden Ministry Board Members
- Chris Delmolino 817-925-4542
- Ofel Cordero 817-691-6026
- Mike Piske- tractor operator, 817-905-0437
- Mary Baxter- secretary/treasurer, 817-685-7799
Additional positions
- Historian: Helen Bradley
- Newsletter: Katharine Norman
- Membership Team: Jennifer Patel & Bernadette Norman