Sheryl's Garden Group: xxxxxxxxxxHealthy Soil is the Key to a Successful Garden.

4.03.2010

xxxxxxxxxxHealthy Soil is the Key to a Successful Garden.

Healthy Soil is the Key to a Successful Garden. How do you know if your soil is healthy? Here are some guidelines: Healthy Soil:

• High Organic Matter
• Good nutrient Levels
• Good drainage
• Workable
• Holds some moisture

The best way to improve soil is to add organic matter.

Types of Organic Matter you can use:

Soil Pep
Aged Manure
Compost from different places
Grass clippings
Leaves

For more information on soil preparation and composting click on the following links:

http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/HG_Compost_02.pdf

http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/HG-Compost-01.pdf

http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/pub__8066784.pdf

http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/AG_Soils_2003-05.pdf

Garden Schedule

WHAT TO BRING:

Food Storage 5 Gal Bucket - to keep your stuff in. We use buckets a LOT. Bring them each time you come. Keep them in your car until you come and check in to see what you need for the day. The heavy duty plastic storage food buckets are the best.

Clean plastic grocery bags. Save them! Keep them in your car trunk and bring them every time. As we have food/produce items available, you'll need some bags.

Empty gallon or 64 oz plastic containers. Fill them with water. Put them under my Maple Tree in the backyard. Since our outside water lines are not turned on until mid May, on occasion we may need to water some plants by hand from these 64 oz plastic containers. Help us keep these in stock, ready to use AND also to wash our hands outdoors.

Gallon Milk Containers: These containers can work as a mini GREENHOUSE for individual plants on cold nights. We cut the container in half and put over the plants.

Water bottle and snack. Bring a Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwich and a water bottle to keep you energized! Gardening can be a good workout and burn plenty of calories.

Dryer Lint: We always look for things to recycle. Dryer Lint is just ONE of many great items that generally gets thrown away that is actually VERY useful to keep!
I use this a lot as a fire starter in my backyard pit for Dutch Oven parties and campfires. Teach your family how to recycle something as simple as dryer lint.
Save it in a plastic bag. Keep it for yourself or bring it to me in a bag if you don't want it.

Good Work gloves: Needed every time you come.

Footwear - Do not wear open toed shoes when working with tillers, chainsaws, mowers, shredders, wood chippers, etc. If you are planting, weeding, or watering, open toed shoes/sandals are fine.

Hand garden tools - You are not required to buy hand tools but if you have them, bring them. If you have any extra to donate for those who don't have them, it would be appreciated. Keep your eyes open at thrift stores, yard sales, garage sales, etc. for garden tools. We can always use more.

Garden Punchcard - When you join our Garden Group, you'll receive a Green "Business Card" size punchcard. Bring it with you every time you come. It needs to last all year since this is your ID card if anyway questions why you are on one of our Garden properties. It also helps you track your hours in the garden.

NOTE: You don't have the right to come on any of our garden properties whenever you want to. If you can't attend during set hours, talk to Sheryl about your schedule.

Notebook and pen/pencil. This comes in handy often.

Clothing: Wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty. On cooler days, dress in layers.

Long pants are recommended to avoid sunburn and getting scratched up when pruning, etc.

Label your tools: Put your name on ALL of your tools that you bring.

Garden Blog - check it often - learn all about gardening, receive recipes, info, the latest news, photos of the garden, etc. Even when you don't work in the gardens, you can watch it progress, which is very exciting!

Read the weekly emails I send out: I'll tell you what is needed most for working in the garden for the current week. It helps you prepare and know what to bring.

Welcome to Sheryl's Garden Group - Promoting Self Reliance

Learn more about all that I have to offer at: www.liveandthrive.com

Best way to contact me: Sheryl@liveandthrive.com

Cell phone - 801.278.5313

This blog is designed for our garden members or potential garden members.

2010 Garden Group: $50/household - for the 7 month season and to work a minimum of 25 hours in the garden during the year.

No garden experience is required, just a good attitude and a willingness to work hard, do whatever you're asked to do and a desire to learn valuable gardening skills.

If you are afraid to get dirty, you may not want to work in the garden. Come often and you will learn a lot, not to mention getting lots of food and meeting many great "like-minded" people!

If you have skills, knowledge, resources, tools, equipment, etc. that you would be willing to share with us, please let me know. It will be greatly appreciated!

If you have suggestions on what you would like to see planted or have skills in planting a particular type of plant, please let me know! We are always interested in hearing what you have to say!

If you have young children, there are many times when you can bring them and have them help us in the garden. Also, you can help us search for garden tools at yard/garage sales and thrift stores. We ALWAYS need more garden tools that don't cost much money! Help us out if you can!

We always have a variety of jobs to do. Pruning, tilling, holding garbage bags, climbing trees, cutting down branches, breaking up branches, picking fruit, watering, planting, weeding, cleaning, shredding the branches and wood, gathering rocks, stacking wood, splitting wood, raking, etc.

You will never be required to do anything that you don't feel comfortable doing. Just let us know what your limitations are.

4.03.2010

xxxxxxxxxxHealthy Soil is the Key to a Successful Garden.

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